WINNIPEG — Suiting up in a stadium has always been the goal of St. Paul’s Crusaders defensive back Robert Lussier.
“The dream is to always play pro,” said Lussier. “You want to go as far as you can with the sport.”
It’s an aspiration shared by high school football players across the province. One more locally grown gridiron gladiators are seeing come true.
“You look at the talent, we have a ton of guys getting university offers and a ton of guys playing professionally right now,” said Lussier.
New initiatives have helped Manitoba catch up to the country’s pigskin powerhouses.
“There’s different programs now that elevate the players’ abilities and help them get exposed,” said Football Manitoba’s Dale Jacobson.
Ten Manitobans have been drafted into the CFL the last three years. Compare that to the previous six seasons where only two were selected.
“A lot of it comes down to the work the coaches do,” said Winnipeg Blue Bombers President and CEO Wade Miller. “Amateur coaches put in a ton of time in football to get these players ready.”
But it’s not just CFL clubs these players are captivating. Two Manitobans are currently playing south of the border in the NCAA with many more to come.
“I don’t think we’ve attracted a whole lot of American attention since probably the 1970s,” said the Winnipeg High School Football League’s Rick Henkewich. “Now we are again. It’s huge.”
Not just for players hoping to turn pro but also the future of football in Manitoba.
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