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![\"RUTH](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4433363_web1_250605-68-Vanterpool-2-.jpg\")
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RUTH BONNEVILLE \/ FREE PRESS FILES<\/p>\n
Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive lineman Micah Vanterpool took all the first-team reps in place of injured teammate Jarell Broxton at Monday\u2019s practice.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
But thanks to his time in the classroom, he\u2019s developed the patience that\u2019s required by a young American trying to make a name for oneself in the three-down loop.<\/p>\n
Vanterpool got into teaching after failing to make the New England Patriots in 2023. He said goodbye to the education profession the following year and took his talents up north to Winnipeg.<\/p>\n
\u201cHave you ever been in a room with 28 third graders and they\u2019re all yelling your name at once? \u2018Mr. V!\u2019 Mr. V! Mr. V! I need help!\u2019 I promise you, some days I just drove home in silence \u2014 no radio, no nothing, just silence,\u201d said Vanterpool after Tuesday\u2019s closed practice.<\/p>\n
\u201cI promise, man, it\u2019s a lot easier (playing football) when I know I gotta block this one dude instead of 28 third graders screaming my name.\u201d<\/p>\n
He might get to showcase his blocking ability on Thursday when the Bombers (4-3) host the B.C. Lions (1-5).<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a lot easier (playing football) when I know I gotta block this one dude instead of 28 third graders screaming my name.\u201d<\/p>\n
Starting right tackle Jarell Broxton went down in last week\u2019s 52-30 home loss against Calgary and, on Monday, Vanterpool took all the first-team reps in his spot.<\/p>\n
The 27-year-old has been on the six-game injured list all season but is now ready to rock. All signs point to him finally dressing this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really just a blessing to be able to say I\u2019m a professional football player every day. If little Micah got to hear those words, man, he would be so excited,\u201d said Vanterpool.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust gotta go out there and make sure the QB is healthy and make sure the running lanes are open. My job is to go unnoticed. So, if I go unnoticed, that means I had a good game.\u201d<\/p>\n
His career may be a blessing, but he\u2019s had to endure some challenges. He won the left guard job out of training camp last season and went on to make six starts before Canadian Gabe Wallace ultimately took over.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just about challenging yourself every single day because some days are easier than others. We\u2019re all humans, but all you gotta do is be where your feet are,\u201d said Vanterpool.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought that was the hardest part, but also the easiest part because once you\u2019re in a room full of great guys like this, all you gotta know is your time is gonna come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even though he\u2019s yet to suit up in 2026, Vanterpool already has familiarity with Bombers quarterback Dru Brown from when they were teammates at the University of Hawaii in 2017.<\/p>\n
Vanterpool was a freshman at the time, meanwhile Brown was the man on campus after leading the program to their first bowl game victory in a decade the year before.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was the starting quarterback and he was super cool. He took the time to meet every single one of the freshmen, especially the lineman,\u201d said Vanterpool.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was like, \u2018What\u2019s up? I\u2019m gonna be your QB.\u2019 And I thought that was really dope.\u201d<\/p>\n
Broxton, the highest paid American O-lineman in the CFL, leaves massive shoes to fill, but the Bombers have confidence in his backup.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s full of energy, that guy,\u201d said receiver Nic Demski. \u201c(Vanterpool) wants to be in there, wants to help the team get better. He\u2019s gonna bring energy and strength. He\u2019s a big boy, but at the end of the day, he can move really well also. He\u2019s gonna bring that to the table.\u201d<\/p>\n
Demski on struggling offence\u00a0<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t JOHN WOODS \/ THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES<\/p>\n Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Nic Demski (10) runs the ball in for the touchdown against Calgary on Friday. Demski voiced his concerns about the offence lacking identity after Tuesday\u2019s closed practice.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Nic Demski isn\u2019t in denial.<\/p>\n His fellow Winnipegger, Brady Oliveira, was honest after last week\u2019s loss against Calgary and admitted that the offence is lacking an identity.<\/p>\n Demski voiced his own concerns on Tuesday when pressed for his opinion.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019ve been doing some good things this year, but I don\u2019t think we\u2019ve been a great offence or where we want to be or where our standards at,\u201d said the receiver.<\/p>\n The numbers back that up.<\/p>\n The Bombers are currently ranked seventh in net offence and offensive points per game (25.1). The unit is also sixth in explosive plays (20-plus yard rushes, 30-plus yard passes).<\/p>\n \u201cI believe in this team, I believe in this offence. (But) I think it\u2019s a problem right now at the time and I don\u2019t think it\u2019s a secret to anybody,\u201d said Demski.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe in this team, I believe in this offence. (But) I think it\u2019s a problem right now at the time and I don\u2019t think it\u2019s a secret to anybody.\u201d<\/p>\n The Bombers have also committed 16 turnovers. Only the winless Ottawa Redblacks (19) have more.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you talk about turnovers, sometimes it\u2019s labelled as one position, but that\u2019s really from every position on that offensive field. That\u2019s from all 12 guys out on that offensive field. I know my position group, we need to be better as well,\u201d said Demski.<\/p>\n \u201cDo I think it\u2019s a problem right now? Yeah, I do, especially when we\u2019re not winning games. But at the end of the day, I think it\u2019s a fixable problem and that\u2019s probably the best thing about it.\u201d<\/p>\n winnipegfreepress.com\/taylorallen<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t Taylor Allen Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree\/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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