Less than two weeks after Winnipeg linebacker Adam Bighill mourned the death of his father, third-year Blue Bombers quarterback Dru Brown was grieving for the loss of his dad, Dave.
Brown, the club’s No. 2 pivot, was excused from the team last week to be with his family in the U.S. Now he’s back in Winnipeg to help the Blue Bombers prepare for Saturday afternoon’s road game against the Ottawa Redblacks.
“He’s one of the main reasons I’m here, you know?” said Brown of his father following Wednesday’s practice at IG Field. “He pushed me but not in that overbearing dad way that you picture in your head.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Dru Brown is back in Winnipeg to help the Blue Bombers prepare for Saturday afternoon’s road game against the Ottawa Redblacks. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press files)
“He kept his distance, but he played at a high level and he knew what it took to play at a high level. So just subtly holding a standard to me and learning that standard from a young age. He loved his family and he wasn’t afraid to say it. He lost his dad when he was 10 so I feel really lucky that I had him for 26 years and some change.”
Dru Brown said he had an exceptional close bond with his father, who once played linebacker at Washington State.
“We were very open with each other,” said Brown. “We exceeded the father-son (relationship) and for the past two or three years it was like we were really good friends. He was my best friend, and it was really cool to be able to get to that point with him. I really appreciate what he meant to me and my family and I like to think moving forward the goal is to just honour him, his name, and keep doing what I’m doing.”
Head coach Mike O’Shea said his teammates can be a support for Brown.
“(It’s) not easy,” said head coach Mike O’Shea. “Yeah, it’s a good thing they’ve got teammates. That’s what they’re there for. They fill in for them when they can’t be here and they give ‘em what they need when they’re away.”
DEFENSIVE STOPPERS: Winnipeg’s defence reasserted its dominance in Week 4 and 5, which led to victories over the Montreal Alouettes and Calgary Stampeders.
Was it a coincidence that the return of defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat appeared to result in Willie Jefferson racking up a pair of sacks in each contest?
“I don’t think so. I think it’s related,” said O’Shea. “Jackson plays a very physical, tough brand of straight-ahead football, right? And anytime you can have that complimentary rush opposite you, it’s gonna help a lot of guys.
“Willie is excellent and he’s had an excellent year so far and he’ll continue to have an excellent year. And then you add Jackson into the mix, too. I mean, (Celestin) Haba’s having a good start, too. You need more of those guys. And when you can stack them on the field together more often, you’re going to get better results.”
ON THE RISE: Versatile American running back/slotback Greg McCrae started the regular season on the practice roster but his performance during consecutive starts has elevated his importance.
Against the Stampeders, McCrae went 68 yards for a touchdown on a pass-and-run collaboration with quarterback Zach Collaros in the first half and he almost added another major in the fourth quarter, when subbing for an injured Janarion Grant, he returned a missed field goal 102 yards.
O’Shea was asked how he saw McCrae’s role with the club.
“Evolving,” said O’Shea. “He’s sort of chameleon-like. Whatever you need him to do I’m sure we’re gonna be able to ask him to do.”
Twitter: @sawa14
