Blue Bombers Rally Around Collaros After Injury Scare

The health and welfare of Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros took center stage during the team’s recent match against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on September 9, 2023. Collaros left the field with 5:33 remaining in the third quarter following a hit to the head by Roughriders defensive back C.J. Reavis. The incident raised immediate concern among players and fans alike, highlighting the physical risks inherent in the sport.

The Bombers faced a disappointing defeat, losing the game 21-13, but the team’s focus shifted quickly to Collaros’ condition. Redha Kramdi, a defensive back for the Bombers, expressed the emotional toll such injuries take on teammates. “I am pretty close to Zach, and anytime you see one of your best friends on the team get hurt, you don’t want to see that,” he said.

Collaros received medical attention on the field for several minutes, prompting players from both teams to gather nearby, some kneeling in silent reflection. The gravity of the moment resonated deeply, as injuries can affect anyone on the field. “It’s a physical sport. Injuries are going to happen,” noted Brady Oliveira, who was close to Collaros during the incident. He added, “You just hope that they get up and they can move on to the next play.”

Former Bomber Jermarcus Hardrick, who spent seven seasons with the team, shared his sentiments for his ex-teammate. “Even though it’s game day, I hug those guys. I never want to see anybody go down, especially Zach,” he said.

The concern extended beyond the players. Milt Stegall, a Hall of Fame receiver with the Bombers, voiced his thoughts during a CFL on TSN panel, stating, “If that was my son, he wouldn’t step on the field again. He’s retired, that’s it.” Stegall’s comments reflect a growing concern, as this marked the third time Collaros has exited a game early this season due to injury.

Earlier in the season, Collaros left a match against the Calgary Stampeders in the second quarter and did not return to the game following halftime in Toronto the next week. When asked about his quarterback’s ability to remain on the field, Head Coach Mike O’Shea emphasized his concern for Collaros as a person rather than as an athlete. “It’s not the games that are concerning, it’s Zach that I’m concerned about. I care about the guy,” he stated. “These guys aren’t just football players in here.”

After several anxious minutes, Collaros demonstrated his resilience by getting up and heading for the tunnel under his own power. “Zach is an ultimate competitor,” Oliveira remarked. “He just wants to win games by any means necessary. I have so much respect for him because of that.”

The incident underlines the intense physical demands of professional football and the deep connections among teammates. As the season progresses, the Blue Bombers and their fans will continue to rally in support of Collaros, hoping for his swift recovery and return to the field.