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<\/p>\nIt was a big ask from a big man. And when Tyler Elsbury approached Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O\u2019Shea with a request to miss one day of practice during the bye week, well, he had a truly bona fide reason.<\/p>\n
He and his now-wife Georgia were married on Saturday in Byron, Ill.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was probably the best reason to be away,\u201d began the Blue Bombers 6-foot-6, 333-pound offensive lineman.<\/p>\n
Yet, when Elsbury saw last week\u2019s practice schedule with the Blue Bombers back at work on the weekend after a bye week, he had to approach the boss asking for a favour.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a good kid,\u201d said O\u2019Shea of Elsbury. \u201cHe was extremely concerned about having to ask for another day. He did not feel very well having to ask for an extra day. So, you know he is serious about his craft, and you know he wants to do the right thing for his teammates. That\u2019s why we have teammates. They look out for you and fill in when you need them to.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Elsbury\u2019s nuptials featured some of his best friends from his hometown \u2014 he and Georgia were high school sweethearts \u2014 along with some of his pals from his days at the University of Iowa, including Pittsburgh Steelers third-round draft pick Gennings Dunker and quarterback Cade McNamara. And the post-wedding party? Yup, they got after it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey tried to kick us out once and Gennings stepped up to the DJ and said, \u2018Screw it, I\u2019m going to pay for another hour\u2019 so they stayed for another hour, and it was a good time,\u201d Elsbury said with a wide grin. \u201cHe said, \u2018We\u2019re not stopping this.’\u201d<\/p>\n
Elsbury has been a solid fit for the Blue Bombers through the first two games of the season as he took up a home at centre. The 24-year-old was first with the Blue Bombers last year but returned home to deal with a personal matter. And when he returned this year for camp \u2014 and following the departure of Chris Kolankowski \u2014 the opportunity to play regularly was there for him to grab his fingers around and squeeze.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just a really big blessing that they choose to trust me to play,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s my job to uphold that now every time we have a game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Being patient, it turns out, is one of Elsbury\u2019s true strengths. It was evident during his days with the Hawkeyes, where he had only six starts in 50 career games along what is consistently one of the best offensive line groups in the NCAA. His perseverance was epitomized by him being selected for the \u2018Next Man in Award\u2019 on offence in both 2023 and 2024.<\/p>\n
The payoff for that patience is coming now but, it can test a man\u2019s will.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels like that. It can be a struggle when you\u2019re always the sixth man in and you think you\u2019re really good but there are always some guys who are a little bit better,\u201d Elsbury said. \u201cThat was my story when I went to Iowa. When I got there, I had the opportunity to learn from Tyler Linderbaum and now he\u2019s the highest-paid interior guy in the league (with the Las Vegas Raiders). He left (Iowa) and they brought Logan Jones across from D-line to O-line and he got drafted in the second round this year to the Bears. Two other guys I played with are both with Seattle right now (Mason Richman and Beau Stephens) and another guy is with the 49ers (Connor Colby) and we had another guy or two who are probably just as good.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the program at Iowa. In the moment it was really tough to stay patient and stay diligent but the guys I was with made it fun. Coach (George) Barnett was our O-line coach and he always told me, \u2018Just stick with it. We want you here, we need you here. Just stick with it.\u2019 Now it\u2019s all coming to fruition. Everybody up here is a good football player, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Elsbury helps celebrate Brady Oliveira\u2019s touchdown in Calgary in the season opener<\/p>\n
Elsbury has been a quick study on an offensive line stacked with experience. His size helps, obviously, but the gig requires more than just pushing a pile and keeping the quarterback clean.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a massive human being who seems to take great pleasure in moving guys in front of him,\u201d O\u2019Shea said of Elsbury. \u201cSo, we like that. He\u2019s adapted well. Certainly, his pro work ethic of studying is there and then the rest of it will come with experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe centre \u2014 you\u2019re in charge as the quarterback of the offensive line and you\u2019ve got to be listening to your quarterback and seeing the pictures. I think it\u2019s made easier with guys like Paddy and Stan around him and Gabe has played a bunch of games for us so having a veteran presence around him and being coached by Marty Costello means you\u2019re going to have a leg up, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elsbury\u2019s first home game against Hamilton earlier this month saw his mom and dad drive up from Illinois, his grandparents from Iowa. Georgia, his new wife, and their two dogs will be en route to Winnipeg this weekend after the Edmonton game.<\/p>\n
His folks were also in both Saskatoon for the preseason game and Calgary for the opener and while they won\u2019t be here this week, Elsbury expects to see them again soon.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo far they haven\u2019t missed one,\u201d he said with a grin. \u201cI really appreciate them. That\u2019s what they want to do to support me. I think they\u2019re taking this week off but they might be in Hamilton (next week). I was telling them, \u2018Geez, guys\u2026 you need to save some money.’\u201d<\/p>\n
THE COACH SAYS: More from Coach O\u2019Shea\u2019s daily media session:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
TODAY\u2019S INJURY REPORT: Some encouraging news from the infirmary, with just rookie LB Brody Clark not participating in Monday\u2019s closed practice.<\/p>\n
Injury Report: June 22, 2026#ForTheW<\/a> | @DoctorsManitoba<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/He4ammQRHa<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) June 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The club did make one move, releasing Canadian receiver Daniel Oladejo, who had been added to the practice roster on May 30th.<\/p>\n CHASING 16: The Blue Bombers have had 15 consecutive sellouts at Princess Auto Stadium and are inching toward another, although sales aren\u2019t quite there yet. Thursday\u2019s forecast, FYI, calls for perfect conditions with a high of 25C.<\/p>\n What\u2019s the loudest moment YOU remember at @PAStadiumWPG<\/a>?<\/p>\n (get lost, rider fans)<\/p>\n Thursday, 7:30 pm \ud83c\udf9f\ufe0f \u00bb https:\/\/t.co\/Ms3LuzJzwM<\/a>#ForTheW<\/a> | @princessauto<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/x3rCfLvaI6<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) June 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n