WINNIPEG, MB., – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have announced the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension with American defensive back Mercy Maston, a week before he was set to become a free agent.
Matson is a 5’11 208 defensive back out of Boise State University. AT BSU Matson papered in 40 games logging 71 total tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and six passes deflected.
Matson started his professional career with the Edmonton Eskimos but would see the field that year due to injury. After bouncing back from his injury he completed two seasons with the Eskimos he was released to pursue a career in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, but would not make the team’s final 53 man roster.
This led Matson to sign with Winnipeg Blue Bombers late in the 2019 season. appeared in two games before suffering an injury. Matson would sit out for two months and return against the Stampeders. Total for the 2019 season he appeared in six games including the 107th Grey Cup championship before suffering an Achilles injury in that game. In those six games, he recorded 25 defensive tackles, one sack, and one interception.
Maston experienced an Achilles injury, finishing his season. He made his decision to stay in Winnipeg to complete his recovery with the Blue Bombers athletic treatment staff and it can as of now be viewed as the wisest move in his professional career. The move stays with the Blue Bombers not only gave Matson medical attention but also gave him emotional support.
“When I got hurt and after it was like everybody was absorbing the pain and they rallied around me,” he said. “I stayed in Winnipeg, and they all helped me get back faster. I felt the love in the locker room.
“I always say the mental battle is a key part and it’s half the battle of recovery, probably more than half the battle. But being around the guys, the coaching staff, the athletic trainers, the GMs… everybody was rooting for me and having love for me and that’s exactly what I needed at the time. It helped out tremendously.
“The way I look at it now, it was just a bump in the road that stopped me for a little bit.”
Maston’s return for 2022 will positively assist with carrying some stability to the secondary, particularly with the CFL free-agent market opening one week from now. Various Blue Bombers defensive backs will be accessible in free agency such as Brandon Alexander, Nick Taylor, Mike Jones, Josh Miller, Josh Johnson, and Alden Darby.
