Just last week Zach Collaros moved past a legend into 22nd place on the Canadian Football League’s all-time passing list. And any time a quarterback in this country has his name mentioned in the same sentence as an icon like Russ Jackson, well, that’s rarified air.
For the record, Collaros has now thrown for 24,701 yards in his CFL career, with his 354-yard effort in last week’s win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats vaulting him past Jackson and now leaving him just 492 yards shy of Conredge Holloway – another hall of famer – in 21st place.
He’s now 34-5 as a starter with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, has taken his team to three consecutive Grey Cups and is the reigning two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player.
And yet, he’s won so much in these parts all the accomplishments occasionally blur together, so much so that it’s possible to wonder if we all still need to step back and appreciate the big picture unfolding here with No. 8 behind centre.
“You know what? He reminds me of an old Italian sculptor, like Michelangelo,” began receiver Drew Wolitarsky after a closed practice session on Wednesday. “He’s obsessive, but also humble. He’s like an old Greek guy who might work until he dies. I joke about it but seeing that from him has helped me grow. I give way more now than I did before. I’m not afraid to say that.”
“I didn’t realize how powerful dedication can be and how much it matters when you really give your soul to something like this. It’s the way he plays and the way he is. He has so much pride in his work. He’s not a prideful guy, but he has pride in his work.”
The Blue Bombers roll into Regina for Friday night’s showdown with the Saskatchewan Roughriders at 1-0, with last week’s performance in the win over the Ticats reminding everyone who may have dozed off who the best QB in the league is, hands down. He methodically sliced up Hamilton’s defence, spreading the ball around to six different receivers, with Wolitarsky, Nic Demski and Rasheed Bailey all catching TD passes.
That stuff is evident for all to see. What the Blue Bombers see from inside the huddle and inside the clubhouse are even more layers to the man and his game.
“What do I appreciate about Zach? You’re looking at it right there,” began left tackle Stanley Bryant, grinning as he points to Collaros devouring a plate of noodles/stir fry. “Besides being a guy that loves food, he’s just a baller. He just plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played.
“He’s just a great leader. I think of the 2021 Grey Cup. He had a couple of turnovers, and the offence wasn’t playing well, but he stuck to the script and made some plays in the second half, threw some great balls and we came out on top.”
“You know when he’s riled up and when he’s not. We try to keep him even keel, but when he does get riled up, we know we have to step it up more.”
Worth noting as the Blue Bombers head west Friday: Collaros is 7-0 vs. the Riders, including two Western Final wins in 2019 and 2021 and Labour Day Classic victories in 2021 and 2022. Over that seven-game stretch he has completed 71.6% of his pass attempts for 1,802 yards with 15 TDs against just four interceptions.
“He’s really good, and he makes everybody better around him,” said Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea on Wednesday. “He’s a terrific leader. Once again, if you’re around him for a minute, he just oozes winning in everything. We’re pretty pleased he’s with us.”
He’s part surgeon, part obsessive sculptor and yes, part foodie. He’s also a player that is carving out a place among CFL legends while making history since his arrival in Winnipeg.
One more: there’s a toughness quotient with Collaros that doesn’t show up in the black and white of the league’s statistical report.
“I remember this: It’s 2021, probably the second quarter, and he gets hit and goes down,” recalled Wolitarsky. “They take him to the locker room, and I remember being, ‘Damn’, because you hate to see that with your starter. It was Matt Nichols… it was 2019 all over again. And it’s, ‘Oh man, not this again.’
“We’re still in the huddle and three plays later suddenly Zach walks back in and we’re like, ‘Where’d you come from, bro?’ I just remember telling him on the bus after – and we had a great game, he threw me that diving pass and it was just a crazy cool game – and I’m like, ‘Bro, you’re the grittiest QB I’ve ever played with. You’re gritty.’
“I just have so much respect for that. When he gets there, he ain’t getting off the field. He’s going to play. He’s going to bring that grit; he’s going to bring that energy and that ferocity. I’m excited to feel that again.”
