Pricey ticket, priceless memories, for Bombers’ families and friends

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VANCOUVER – Blue Bombers lineman Jake Thomas talked one of his brothers out of coming to watch him play in Sunday’s Grey Cup game.

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Such is life when you keep going to the big game and have to buy a boatload of tickets for friends and family year after year.

“It’s usually a tough week for me,” Thomas said. “He came to the last four. I said, ‘Just enjoy this one at home.’”

That still left 13 people for Thomas to help pick up the freight for, including his wife, parents, friends and co-workers from his off-season job in real estate back in New Brunswick.

For rookie receiver Ontaria Wilson, his first Grey Cup has a more modest guest list.

“My mom and dad from Georgia,” Wilson said. “They always try to show their support when they’re able to. So I just love them for that.”

Also attending their first CFL game will be Tony Jones’ mother and two brothers, who waited for the ultimate game in their loved one’s third CFL season to travel from Orlando, Fla..

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“She was like, ‘I’m coming,’” Jones said. “And my two younger brothers found out, so it was, ‘You guys can come as well.’ It’s just a great event.”

For some the event might overshadow the game.

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“My sister loves the Jonas Brothers,” a grinning Redha Kramdi said, referring to the half-time performers.

The linebacker will have his sister and brother-in-law in the crowd.

Defensive back Evan Holm will celebrate a victory or mourn a loss with his wife and parents, in from Minnesota. It’ll be the third Grey Cup for dad, second for mom.

“It’s very nice having family support you,” Holm said.

The usual suspects – wives, kids, parents – will be in Vancouver supporting Willie Jefferson and Zach Collaros, both playing in their fifth straight Grey Cup.

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Kicker Sergio Castillo welcomed a party of 22 this weekend.

They include 19 from his wife’s family, from Texas and Mexico, most of them seeing Canadian football’s title game for the first time.

We didn’t ask Castillo if he’s footing that entire bill.

But as defensive back Deatrick Nichols pointed out: “You can’t put a dollar sign on certain moments.”

Nichols will have a handful of people watching him try to win a second Grey Cup – he was part of the 2021 team – including his wife and two kids, his mom, his grandparents, an aunt, a niece and a nephew, all from Miami.

“It’s a great feeling,” Nichols said. “A moment that I’m going to be able to share with my kids. See them and play the game that I love in front of them.”

paul.friesen@kleinmedia.ca
X: @friesensunmedia

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