Perseverance pays off for Bombers’ Houston

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This article was published 27/07/2022 (1191 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It could go down as the play of the year, but for Winnipeg Blue Bombers second-year defensive back Demerio Houston it was a moment where perseverance paid off.

With less than a minute left and the Blue Bombers holding a 26-19 lead in their Week 6 clash with the Calgary Stampeders, opposing quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell threw a deep ball to receiver Kamar Jorden. The ball sailed through the air, landing in Jorden’s outstretched hands as his body hit the turf.

Jorden had everything but a touchdown in that moment. Instead, the ball bounced and in came Houston, sliding through the turf to make the game-saving interception, quickly turning the gasps of 29,746 fans at IG Field into cheers.

“The crowd made it everything and it was loud and it was packed,” said a smiling Houston following Winnipeg’s closed practice Wednesday afternoon. “The game was definitely me taking advantage of opportunity.”

The Blue Bombers shuffled the secondary after Houston made six defensive tackles in a Week 3 start against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He filled in at field corner for Winston Rose, but was promoted to boundary-side corner upon the veteran’s return.

When Rose was healthy enough to return to the lineup, they opted to move him to the field-side corner and release veteran Tyquwan Glass to ensure Houston more playing time.

Houston, 25, has reeled in two interceptions and made 14 defensive tackles in the last four weeks. He’s only 11 games into his Canadian Football League career, but has been praised for his veteran-like demeanor by coaches and teammates.

“I’ve always had confidence in myself because I know my ability, but my teammates and my coaches pushed me to elevate my game,” he said. “When they have confidence in me, that made me feel more confident in myself.”

It’d be hard to find anybody happier for their teammate’s success than Blue Bombers defensive back Nick Taylor.

The two have developed a tight relationship, which includes everything from conversations about life, sharing meals together and carpooling. Taylor said seeing Houston in a feature role with Winnipeg’s defense might be new to those on the outside, but the team always knew what he could do.

“I thought he… had a chance to start day one, but things went how it went,” said Taylor. “He just put his head down and kept grinding and he was ready for his moment.”

Winnipeg’s defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall said a key part to Houston’s success is the confidence he plays with. Hall added that it’s always important for football players to put themselves in a position to play, which has helped make Houston a mainstay of the team’s defense.

He also pointed to a sequence in Winnipeg’s Week 4 win over the Toronto Argonauts during which Houston was on the other end of a big play. It looked like he secured an interception near the Bombers’ end zone, but the ball slipped out and receiver Brandon Banks was able to finish the play for a touchdown.

All he could do at the time was put his hands up in confusion, but Hall thought the play was an important learning experience in the long run. One that might’ve made the difference in Houston playing until the whistle and making the game-saving grab in Week 6.

“I’ve always had confidence in myself because I know my ability, but my teammates and my coaches pushed me to elevate my game.”–Demerio Houston

“Has he been perfect? No, but no one has been perfect, but he’s made plays,” said Hall. “Each week, his confidence improves and he plays better and better and better.”

“He’s already set the bar so the bar is gonna continue to rise and it will continue to rise,” he added.

Houston and Taylor have combined for five of Winnipeg’s 10 interceptions this season. They’re also the only players on the team with two or more interceptions so far this season.

He’ll have another shot at making more highlight-worthy plays when the Blue Bombers roll into McMahon Stadium for a rematch with the Stampeders Saturday evening.

“‘I’m not easy to give up on myself,” said Houston. “I know my ability and I know that this is what I want to do and I have the love for the game.”

Gavin.Axelrod@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: Gavin77axe