Streveler back for Banjo Bowl

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This article was published 08/09/2023 (771 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Chris Streveler is back in Winnipeg.

Well, at least for the weekend.

The popular dual-threat quarterback who played a pivotal role in the Blue Bombers hoisting the Grey Cup in 2019 is in town for Saturday’s Banjo Bowl at IG Field.

Streveler, who was waived by the New York Jets last month after injuring the thumb on his throwing hand in the team’s preseason opener, will be signing autographs in the tailgate area from 1:30-2:30 p.m. before the Bombers (9-3) clash with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-5).

It’s the first time the 28-year-old from Crystal Lake, Ill., has returned to the Manitoba capital since he left for the NFL after helping the Bombers end their championship drought.

Streveler has some time on his hands due to being a free agent, so, he reached out to the club and asked if he could come visit.

“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a multiple of reasons. The organization, the people within the organization, teammates, coaches, the front office, I have a lot of love and appreciation for all those people and I miss them. I wanted to come see them and support them, but also the fans,” Streveler, who joined the Bombers as a rookie in 2018, said Friday.

“They’ve shown me so much support through my NFL journey. Anything that happens to me, I just feel like there’s hundreds of Winnipeg fans that support me and are always following my journey. I just wanted to come back and show them some love and appreciation and let them know how much that means to me.”

“I would never forget about Winnipeg. This is a place that’s so special to me.”

It would be impossible for Streveler to forget the city as he has the team’s mantra of “FIFO” — which stands for Fit in or f—- off — tattooed on his left thigh. The acronym, which is something the club has rallied behind for several years now, is engraved on the 2019 and ‘21 Grey Cup rings.

“A bunch of guys got that tatted after the Grey Cup and it’s something I’m going to have on me forever. I wear it loud and proud. When I’m in the NFL, I would tell guys about it. You’re not going to find a bigger advocate for the CFL than me,” said Streveler.

“Even in the summer, when there’s no NFL games on and we’re in OTAs or whatever, I’m watching CFL games and showing guys the games and they go ‘This is a fun game.’”

As much as he loves the CFL, and Winnipeg, he’s in no rush to return to the three-down league. The NFL remains the focus, and now that his thumb has healed, Streveler’s agent is on the hunt to find him another job at the highest level.

“I do believe there’s a role for me and an opportunity for me down there at some point this year. In terms of the CFL, that’s not something we’re going to entertain this year and we’re going to keep it at that,” said Streveler.

He signed with Arizona Cardinals in early 2020 before spending some time with the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, and Jets. Streveler has appeared in nine NFL games and has 231 passing yards, one touchdown, one interception and 75 rushing yards to his name. With 2022 marking his third season down south, Streveler secured himself the NFL pension which will net him US$19,800 annually for life.

“He was a good leader for us. A gritty football player and a big part of our run in our first championship here as a group,” said Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea.

“I think the fans should really appreciate that he really wants to come back here and hang out and visit with the fans. I think that’s pretty cool. It’d be pretty easy for guys to move on when they’ve gotten the opportunity that he’s gotten.”

Streveler generated a ton of buzz last summer when he led the Jets to three comeback victories in the preseason. Jets head coach Robert Saleh said it was “one of the greatest preseasons in the history of football.”

Streveler went on to spend most of the year on New York’s practice squad.

“I was a last minute camp addition, essentially a camp arm. I didn’t get any reps in practice and then you go into the first preseason game without taking a snap in practice and you got to perform… I was excited to have another opportunity to go this preseason, and to get injured in the first game was extremely disappointing and frustrating, but at the same time, it does not change my mindset or my mentality. I just believe if you keep working hard and you treat people right along the way that opportunities are going to present themselves,” said Streveler.

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Streveler famously donned a fur coat without a shirt when the Bombers held their 2019 championship parade. With the temperature expected to be around 20 C for kickoff, he’s opting for a different outfit Saturday.

“It’s not fur coat weather, so I don’t think it’s going to make an appearance, but if some fans are walking around with fur coats on, I’d love to put a couple fur coats on and take some pictures with them,” said Streveler.

“That’d be really fun.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31

Taylor Allen
Reporter

Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor.

Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.