Waterloo football players take centre stage in CFL matchup

Tyler Elgersma and Tre Ford were on the field as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers took on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. CTV’s Karis Mapp reports.

Two players with ties to Waterloo universities were on fully display at the Winnipeg Blue Bombers took on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Former Wilfrid Laurier quarterback Taylor Elgersma made his professional football debut on Sunday after Winnipeg’s starting QB Zach Collaros left the game early with an injury.

“Zach took a hit that rattled him enough that he had an upper-body injury and they had to make a change at quarterback,” Marshall Ferguson, the TSN and CFL play-by-play broadcaster who was calling the game, explained.

“Taylor humped into the fray, which is exactly what you’re asked to do when you’re in that situation as the backup.”

The rookie led Winnipeg to a come from behind 14-13 victory.

Back in 2024, Elgersma was named the most outstanding football player in U Sports, earning the Hec Crighton Award after leading the Golden Hawks to a national championship.

“I got the opportunity to text with him a little bit after the game and he was very Taylor-like. Kind of like, ‘Thank you, it was the team.’” Laurier’s football head coach Tom Galloway said. “His personality is that he’s not the guy to put the spotlight on himself ever.”

The London, Ont. native only recently returned to Canada after chasing potential NFL opportunities.

“Playing on the biggest stages of Canadian university football and then getting his opportunity with the Green Bay Packers, I think he’s not scared by any situation,” Fergson told CTV News.

Former University of Waterloo quarterback Tre Ford also made an appearance in Sunday’s game after Ticats star Bo Levi Mitchell was carted off the field with an injury.

“When I realized Bo Levi Mitchell went down and that Tre Ford might be coming in, I’m looking at Duane Forde who is working with me in the booth and go, ‘Duane, I’m pretty sure we’re going to get a Laurier/Waterloo game right now,’” Ferguson recalled.

The pair taking snaps marked the first time two U Sports quarterbacks have attempted a pass in a CFL game in more than half a century.

Frank Cosentino and Russell Jackson did it back in 1969.

“We’ve had much greater success sending people to the CFL at offensive line, defensive tackle or receiver,” Galloway said.

“The Canadian quarterback play is getting better and better and hopefully they can be part of a generation that’s going to provide more opportunities for future generations.”