Having a Ball in Blue and Gold

It was a childhood dream for Ethan Ball to suit up in the CFL’s heated rivalry on the Prairies.

The rookie safety from Regina just never imagined it would be in blue and gold.

“If I’m being honest, there was definitely no blue being worn in the Ball household — especially during these back-to-back games,” said Ball, who was selected in the sixth round, 54th overall, by the Bombers in the 2025 CFL Draft.

Now being involved is just as sweet for him — even though there was a time in his life when it pained him to see his favourite Rider, receiver Weston Dressler, close out his career in Winnipeg. The moment Ball was drafted into Bomberland, one of the first things to come to mind was the idea of returning to Mosaic Stadium as a visitor for the Labour Day Classic. That vision became a reality last Sunday — and it’s something he’ll never forget, even though he was greeted by thousands of boo birds in green before the Riders went on to prevail 34-30.

“I thought it was awesome being a hometown kid getting booed. I love playing the heel, I think it makes it more fun, especially on these two weekends,” said Ball.

“Obviously, watching the Riders come out of the tunnel was pretty special. I was that kid yelling in the front row as they came out. Now being on the opposing side of things, getting ready to face them on the sideline, it was cool.”

Ball wasn’t just your average fan growing up. His father, Michael Ball, is a long-time Regina broadcaster who was the radio play-by-play voice for the Riders in 2022 and 2023.

“I think it made me love the league more as a kid. Obviously, he was involved with the Roughriders for a long time and I got a behind the scenes look at guys like Dressler, (Chris) Getzlaf, and guys that I idolized,” said Ball.

“I always grew up watching him do his thing around the media and I know how guys should represent themselves to the public and media relations so I think it just helps me in terms of doing interviews like this and representing myself well in the public eye.”

Needless to say, blue is no longer forbidden in the Ball household.

“When I got (drafted), obviously, there were family members and friends bugging me and teasing me a little bit saying they’re never gonna put on blue. But lo and behold, we’re here, however many months later, and we’ve ordered 30-plus Ball Bomber jerseys,” said Ball, who played four seasons at the University of North Dakota before finishing his collegiate career with the Calgary Dinos.

“So, now we got people in Regina representing. I think it adds to the fun of it. It would have been cool to have been picked anywhere, but the fact that I was lucky enough to be picked by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, I think it just added to everything.”

Ball made his pro debut in Week 8 and has recorded four special-teams tackles in the past three games.

“There are guys here that have immense amount of experience, guys that were in my shoes before that are now starting and all-stars,” said Ball.

“Everybody starts somewhere.”

Head coach Mike O’Shea is impressed with what the young Canadian brings to the table.

“He’s smart, explosive. You might not know that right away, but then you watch him move around and when he makes a decision, he’s following through with the decision,” said O’Shea.

“But right away, it’s evident that he understands the game of football and he sees it well on the field. He got nicked up earlier (in training camp) so now it’s a matter of him getting the reps and the experience at this level.”

A minor injury prevented Ball from playing the fourth quarter last week but he’s ready to go for Saturday’s rematch at 3 p.m.

“I think this weekend is going to be even better and even louder here at Princess Auto Stadium,” said Ball.

SCHOEN INJURED AGAIN

The Bombers revealed after Thursday’s closed practice that star receiver Dalton Schoen has been ruled out for Saturday’s Banjo Bowl with a knee injury.

Schoen appeared to re-injure his knee during Winnipeg’s failed two-point conversion attempt at the end of last week’s loss. The two-time CFL all-star — who was limited to just three games in 2024 after tearing his ACL — had just returned to the lineup after missing the previous six games.

Schoen has 22 catches for 255 yards and two touchdowns in five appearances this season.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca