Local legend Streveler is excited to be back in Winnipeg after three seasons in the NFL

WINNIPEG – Chris Streveler won't be flying to football games this season in a fancy private jet, but he's okay with that.

The backup is happy with the flash and growth he's had playing in the NFL, but is also really pumped to get back to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Streveler had a smile on his face at training camp this week as he talked about his football journey and returning to a team that won the 2019 Gray Cup in just his second CFL season.

The two menacingly tough players from Crystal Lake, Ill., have become local legends as they paraded bare-chested in trench coats, donned white cowboy hats, and drank beer along the way as fans celebrated the end of the game in the Victory Parade. 28-season championship drought.

As Streveler sought to crack the NFL, fans took to social media to look for their adopted son.

“One of the wonderful things about Winnipeg is that if someone comes to Winnipeg and then leaves, the people of Winnipeg support it,” Streveler, 29, said.

“They like to see them go out in Winnipeg and do well, so they cheer you on.”

At an autograph session in March, Bomber's fans lined up to greet him, some even wearing fur coats.

Starting quarterback Zach Collaros laughs when asked about having such a popular backup.

“For me, it's much better, less stressful,” he said. “Chris is a great guy. It's easy to see why people are drawn to him.

“Not just his performance in the playoffs and the Gray Cup and the parade after that with the coattails and stuff, he's a magnetic personality. People love to be around him and I think that's great for our team, great for what he does. a great guy to do and learn from.”

Streveler said his experience in the NFL changed his life “in every way,” professionally, personally and financially.

He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals in 2020 and played in seven regular season games over two years. He also met his current girlfriend.

After stops with the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins, he played two regular season games with the New York Jets in 2022. He also received a lifetime NFL pension and other benefits such as insurance.

A thumb injury on his throwing hand last August led the Jets to waive him on injury waivers.

When nothing happened after a workout for the Chicago Bears in early January, he turned his attention back to the CFL.

Winnipeg was his choice.

“Being around the best players in the world and getting experience with them and learning the game through their eyes changes how you approach the game as a quarterback,” Streveler said.

“Also, in five years, I have grown up a lot, learned to have deep conversations about football with people, and actively contributed to the backroom. Not that I haven't before, but I've been playing for over five years. you develop and learn.”

He's thankful for his NFL memories.

“The plane we had in Arizona was amazing,” Streveler said. “It was two stories. The coaches sat upstairs. We had the full meal menu, the seats were all the way across and it was like everyone had their own little compartment in first class.

“So I thought, 'OK, that's pretty cool.'

Some of the facilities were advanced and used technology. Sessions are recorded, and backups like himself can then go out on the field, put on virtual reality goggles, and go through readings.

“But I don't mind being here,” he said after training at the renamed Princess Auto Stadium. “These facilities have everything we need to be successful and everything depends on it.

“You don't have to be the flashiest, the prettiest, the cutest. As long as all these players have what it takes to be successful, that's what we're going to do, that's what you need.”

He wants to assure fans that he's focused on the here and now and won't be returning to the NFL.

“Honestly, I couldn't be happier to be here,” Streveler said.

“There's no feeling that I want to be there, that I want to go back. I'm going to be here 100 percent and try to win games with this football team.

“I couldn't be happier to be in the locker room with these guys. There are a lot of good people here.”

This Canadian Press report was first published on May 16, 2024.

Judy Owen, Canadian Press