Bombers rookie returner Vaval looking like rising star
After practice, the wiry defensive back and return specialist spent most of his time alone, diving into his playbook, studying the nuances of the Canadian game and reading the good word.
Not only did it give the 24-year-old an edge on the field, but he believed it helped him grow as a human being and strengthen his spiritual faith in a short period.
FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
'I try to grow every day, as a man, as a football player, as a son — all of that. Every day I try to do it, don't matter what I'm doing,' Vaval said after Monday's practice at Princess Auto Stadium, where the Bombers are preparing to face the Stampeders in Calgary on Saturday (7 p.m. CT).
A grateful Vaval went on to win the returner job, and nine weeks later, the rookie affectionately known to his teammates as Mighty Mouse looks like a budding star in the Canadian Football League after taking two returns — a 93-yard kickoff and a 97-yard punt — back for touchdowns in the first half of Winnipeg's 40-31 victory over the Toronto Argonauts.
He became the first player in Bombers franchise history to return a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown in the same game.
Both of the returns showcased his elite elusiveness and speed, and by the second half, the Argos were OK sacrificing field position in the name of keeping the ball out of his hands.
'I'm not even gonna lie, I really just kind of blacked out and just trusted the guys in front of me,' Vaval said. 'After the first one, I was kind of telling myself, 'You're not gonna score again. Just secure the ball for your team, set the offence up, make sure they have good field position. And the second one hit, and I just blacked out and just trusted my blockers and just ran.'
His kickoff return in the first quarter was the first touchdown of his professional career. Unaware that players can receive fines for taking home game balls, Vaval kept the one from that play as a memento.
FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
'If I wasn't supposed to, I'm probably going to get a fine, but, hey, I'll take it,' he said.
'I'm actually gonna send it to my mom (Lori). I kept that game jersey and that ball. My mom, she got stuff since I was a kid, so all that stuff means more to her than to me. So I give all that stuff to her.'
Vaval has been a revelation for the Bombers to begin this season. The club struggled in the return game in 2024 then was thought to have acquired the fix to those issues when it landed Peyton Logan in free agency. However, when Logan went down with an injury early in training camp, questions began to swirl — until Vaval arrived.
Since then, the 5-11, 163-pounder from Blue Springs, Mo. has impressed with his talents and his professional approach.
'It was right for when he showed up,' said special teams co-ordinator Mike Miller. 'He had a willingness to want to learn and understand the nuances of the Canadian game, and talking scenarios and stuff.
'I'm actually gonna send it to my mom (Lori)… My mom, she got stuff since I was a kid, so all that stuff means more to her than to me. So I give all that stuff to her.'— Blue Bomber defensive back and return specialist Trey Vaval commenting on keeping the game ball he held to score his first touchdown.
'So stuff that sometimes as a rookie, people are maybe a little more shy to ask the questions, because they don't want to be perceived to be wrong, and he had no problem asking the questions, asking the right questions, and then putting it to the field of play afterwards.'
Following his breakout performance, Vaval leads the CFL in punt return yards (449) and is third in punt return average (13.6). He's also third in total kick return yards (437) and combined yards (886).
'Immediately what was evident was you got a guy who's kind of nicked up in camp and not really getting an opportunity, and we somehow have the foresight to make sure he stays, and a couple weeks later, he's cleared, and you like what he's doing,' said head coach Mike O'Shea.
'Now, when he gets that opportunity, he's just got a thirst for knowledge. He wants to do it, right? He wants to understand the CFL game and all the particulars of the special teams play here. That can be different than other returners that are as gifted as he is, that are just happy with their gift. But he is certainly interested in more opportunities and becoming a pro.'
FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
The first seven games of Vaval's professional career have featured more bright moments than dull. He's dealt with several learning moments while navigating issues when fielding the ball early on, and he's proven he's worth watching every time he touches the ball.
'It's kind of how college was for me, just the whole mental game,' Vaval said. 'Not just (learning) stuff, but kind of like you always have self-doubt. But it's not like I don't believe in myself, I don't believe my teammates, it's just that mental battle, like the devil trying to get in your head. So you're always at war with yourself. That's probably the biggest (lesson), if I mess up on a play, just next play mentality.'
The Bombers have a significant decision looming.
With Logan returning to practice on Monday, it's only a matter of time before coaches will need to choose between the player they originally tabbed to return kicks and the one who has restored the spark in the third phase of their team.
Vaval has also taken on significant snaps at field corner in the last two games, which raises questions about whether coaches would want him to play defence and special teams — a demanding task for the best athletes.
FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
It's something Mighty Mouse has prepared for since turning pro.
'When I was with the Atlanta Falcons, Marquice Williams, special teams coach there, he told the whole room, 'You can't be a professional athlete and just play one position. You got to be able to play multiple positions,'' Vaval said.
'Doesn't matter what you're doing, you gotta be able to play multiple phases of the game. It's just how the game is, being a professional athlete. So, yeah, I'm sure I can go out there and do both.'
joshua.frey-sam@freepress.mb.ca
X: @jfreysam
Joshua Frey-SamReporter
Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh.
Every piece of reporting Josh produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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