But at 32, how much does receiver Lucky Whitehead still have in the tank?
“I’m like a diesel,” the newest Winnipeg Blue Bomber was saying, Monday. “I’ve got a full tank. I had all this rest. My body feels great… can’t wait to get rolling.”
After nearly a week of getting his immigration paperwork in order, Whitehead has joined the practice roster of the CFL’s most offensively challenged team.
Five weeks of sputtering offence and the loss of star receivers Dalton Schoen and Kenny Lawler were what caused the Bombers to pick up the phone.
That nobody called Whitehead sooner remains a bit of a mystery.
“Good question,” he said. “I don’t know. There was a lot of other things going on. People didn’t know what I was asking for, money-wise. It was just a lot of miscommunication. Then a lot of people wanted to see what they could do with their younger group.
“It was more of a waiting game … and here I am, back where it all started for me.”
Whitehead got his CFL start with the Bombers in 2019, playing 15 regular-season games but watching from the sidelines as they marched to a Grey Cup title.
His big-play ability coupled with his big personality quickly made him a fan favourite.
After joining the B.C. Lions, he came back to watch the 2021 West Final between the Bombers and Riders and wound up partying with fans in the stands.
“The memories, the excitement that I had here when I was playing, the parade – it was epic stuff,” Whitehead said. “I still have close friends on the team.”
Three productive seasons in B.C. later – on average, 13 games, 65 catches and 890 receiving yards – he was out of work.
He says he was at peace, though, with whatever happened.
So he tried some completely different things that don’t have a lot to do with football: Gardening and journaling.
“It was very peaceful for me,” Whitehead said. “It was very healing. I was just doing a whole bunch of different things to help me with my mental side of things. And hanging around family, friends, and obviously still training.”
People like Bombers receiver Nic Demski were surprised to see him remain unsigned.
“I thought somebody would give him a chance,” Demski said. “I’m just happy a deal got done and he’s back here. We’re getting some speed. We’re getting some veteran presence. And we’re getting some f
amiliarity. A lot of positives.
