Local athlete Jordan Reaves signs with Blue Bombers
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This article was published 14/04/2015 (4138 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Jordan Reaves, former Brandon University Bobcats basketball forward and Shaftesbury High alumnus, will suit up in blue and gold for the 2015 Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ season.
The club announced it signed the 25-year-old, who grew up in Linden Woods, on April 9.
Reaves joins the team as a wide receiver after a 10-year hiatus from playing on any football team.
“Hopefully it’s like riding a bike and it’s just natural and should come back to me,” Reaves said. “I love it and I’m a physical guy if you’ve watched me play at Brandon, my first two years I fouled out almost every game because I was so physical. So I’m not too worried about the physical aspect,” he added.
At 6-5 and 220 pounds, Reaves played basketball for the University of Brandon for four years before heading to Europe in hopes of joining a professional team in Slovenia or France. When that didn’t work out, Reaves — on the suggestion of a neighbour in Winnipeg — decided to get back into football.
Reaves joined the Bombers for two workouts a few weeks ago and recently attended the Edmonton Regional Combine. He says he felt comfortable on the field with the other players.
His expectations for the season include making the practice roster, trying to make the game roster, and showing people the abilities and skills that he brings to the football club.
“I’m out here to prove myself and prove that I can play with the big boys at the pro level,” Reaves said.
“We’ve seen him work twice now, once here and once in Edmonton, and he’s a tremendous athlete,” Blue Bombers general manager Kyle Walters said in a statement. “All of his measurable qualities were really remarkable, and he did not look out of place even with his limited football background.
“He’s a very intriguing prospect for the future.”
Reaves is the brother of St. Louis Blues’ Ryan Reaves and the son of former Winnipeg Blue Bomber Willard Reaves.
According to Reaves, competition runs deep in the family and he’s happy to be making a name for himself with the club where his father had success.
“Sports is a big part of my life and it always has been, so while I’m relatively young I’d like to keep playing and football was my first love so coming back to it was a nice switch,” Reaves said.