Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that the Bombers starting quarterback – Zach Collaros – was injured in the Banjo Bowl and removed from the game. Following that incident were some fairly direct words from former Bomber great, Milt Stegall, and it appears that Bombers’ Head Coach Mike O’Shea took issue with that.

“I think because of that powerful voice, he should probably choose his words a lot more carefully than he did. He’s not qualified to make those decisions (for Collaros) or certainly doesn’t know what’s going on (with the quarterback’s health). I’m not qualified either but I have a little more insight into the situation…“When you make those pretty brash statements and you make them quickly in the spur of the moment, you’re not considering his family or his people that care about him when you make those statements. I think maybe a little more care and concern should have went in before announcing to the world and creating clickbait, getting your likes up.” – source

Ouch! Click bait? Likes up? Stegall said that on the air, not in an article. But obviously the Bombers head coach and everyone involved is pretty charged up. Outside of the football aspect, there is the person Zach Collaros. And I am sure that most people are thinking about the Bombers without their number one quarterback, but also thinking about Zach Collaros’ health…at some point he will hang up the cleats; they all do.

Here is the double edge sword. The way that Mike O’Shea chooses to deal with players injury leaves the door wide open to speculation, “This is personal information. I am completely against the idea of announcing to the world personal injury information for the sake of the betting public or the fans, that’s where I stand. I can argue that all day long — I don’t think it’s worth it — but you shouldn’t understand what he’s dealing with injury-wise or any player, really. It shouldn’t be made public, that’s the way I feel.”

I am completely fine if O’Shea does not want to reveal the injury. The Bombers have been very tight lipped about injuries since O’Shea took the helm. But if you do not reveal the injury – even if that is part of your life and coaching philosophy – then expect people and media to speculate. That is all they have left.

Another point on speculating; can we all stop pretending that we are not doing it? Do you know how many times I have heard fans and media say, “He went down with what looked like a concussion, of course I don’t want to speculate.” News flash…you just did. Why are we so sorry/not sorry to speculate when the quarterback that has got the Bombers to the last 5 Grey Cups, won them the first Grey Cup in 29 years, has provided some wildly great and enjoyable football, and been a staple in the community goes down again this season?

Please note, none of this is a shot at Mike O’Shea. I have often praised his management style. And yes, this is a person’s life – Zach Collaros. And yes this is sports and entertainment. I do not know how how fans and media are supposed to untangle that. Add to the fact that in days, after the first practice the injury report is going to come out and we are all going to know what part of the body was injured.

Maybe the issue is that Stegall said the quiet part out loud…though it was going to be said out loud by others. So maybe the problem is that Stegall said the quiet part out loud too early.

What did you think? Let me know in the comments section wherever you are reading this.

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