Collaros appreciates the concern, but…

Zach Collaros appreciates the concern surrounding his latest head injury but wants it to be clear: his health is his business.

The star quarterback for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers practised in full on Tuesday for the first time since suffering a hit to the head more than two weeks ago in the Banjo Bowl.

It’s a cause for concern any time a play leaves a player laying motionless on the turf for a while before they get up and jog off — which was the case for Collaros — but the veteran passer’s well-documented history of head injuries made it that much more unsettling.

“If you’re somebody who’s followed the game for a long time and you know who I am specifically and you’ve seen me have to come out of games at times throughout my career, from a knee-jerk reaction standpoint, I can totally understand people’s concern with that,” said Collaros after practice.

“So, not upset at that at all. And I get it. While at the same time, talking about my livelihood and how I do my life for my family, it’s not really other people’s concern.”

His latest setback elicited quite the reaction, especially from Bombers legend and TSN personality Milt Stegall who called for Collaros to step away from the gridiron for good and retire.

“Without being too inflammatory to address some of that stuff, I don’t pay attention to stuff outside the building,” said Collaros.

“I heard about that comment a couple days after from my wife. While I appreciate the concern, not just from Milt, but other people, it’s not like we make rash decisions in this building or with my family. There’s nobody who cares more about me than my wife — obviously, my children and my mom would probably beg to differ. But yeah, there’s nothing about playing the game and health that is made just in a vacuum.”

The 37-year-old was forced to miss the last two games — a 32-21 loss in Hamilton on Sept. 12, and a 26-18 win in Ottawa on Saturday. Collaros wouldn’t confirm if he’ll play this Saturday when the Blue and Gold (7-7) host Hamilton (9-5) at 2 p.m.

“Again, I appreciate people’s care and concern about it, but if I shouldn’t be out here, then I wouldn’t be out here,” said Collaros.

“I think as you get older, you understand the risk of different things, no matter what the injury might be, and what you can and can’t play through, for sure. But as you get older, you get a little bit wiser.”

To state the obvious, the Bombers could desperately use Collaros back under centre. The club somehow prevailed in Ottawa despite backup pivot Chris Streveler completing three-of-eight passes for 54 yards and an interception.

“You know, we talk about it often: you don’t get a ton of opportunities in this game to play. So, any time you miss time and miss being out there with the guys, it’s tough,” said Collaros.

“I’m happy to be back out there. Just fun. I love this game.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca