The locker room has always been a sanctuary for Calgary Colts offensive lineman Tyler Winchester. There, he’s surrounded by teammates and friends – his football family.
Winchester, or “Tank,” as he’s affectionately known, has relied on that football family since he discovered the game in junior high.
“It really gives you a good support system,” he said. “You don’t feel like you’re alone.”
Which is important because that hasn’t always been the case.
“I always tried to be positive in front of my friends, not really let that side of me show or anything like that. But there were times when it was pretty rough,” Winchester said.
He moved out of his parents house during his senior year of high school.
“Trying to find a place to live and deal with stuff with like domestic abuse…”
He eventually moved in with one of his friends, a football teammate.
“Actually, the guy that got me into football when I was a kid. I moved in there and they let me stay rent-free, which was great.”
After high school, Winchester got a call from Matthew Blokker, then-head coach of the Vancouver Island Raiders of the B.C. Football Conference.
“I recruited him and brought him from Calgary and I think that was almost overwhelming for him to get on a plane,” Blokker said.
“I think the first plane ride he ever actually got on was to come out to the Island… He showed up with a small duffel bag of basically everything he owned in life, was in a bag.”
“I didn’t really have anything,” Tank recalled.
“Helped me get a job and helped me get some money going through. It was really cool because I’d never really had anything like that before where I could actually just support myself. I had everything I needed and I was playing football.”
And he continues to have everything he needs, re-joining Blokker after he made the move to Calgary to lead junior Colts.
He’s now in his third year with his hometown Colts, who continue to be one of the top teams in junior football and will host a playoff game this Sunday.
He’s also excelling off the field.
“I’ve changed so much … I’ve worked my way up in a company and I have my own managing job now. I’ve done a lot of other things like I’ve been able to grow as an adult,” the 21-year-old said.
And he continues to pursue his athletic dreams at the junior football level and couldn’t be more proud of that fact.
“For me personally, it’s been my life,” Winchester said. “Junior football has been the biggest part of my life.”
“He’s finding his way in life,” Blokker added. “But he’s finding it because he’s used the tool of football and he’s used the tool of junior football.”
“I’m extremely proud of him. I love the young man for what he’s become.
“I loved him when I met him. I love how he’s an example for this organization.”
With a win this weekend over the Edmonton Huskies, the Colts would advance to their third consecutive Prairie Football Conference Championship game.
Kick-off on Sunday is set for 1 p.m. at McMahon Stadium.
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