Matechuk battles depression as he tries to land job with Bombers
Winnipeg Blue Bombers hopeful Jordan Matechuk admitted Wednesday he’s suffered from depression and thanked the Canadian Football League club for giving his career a second chance.
The Winnipeg resident is on a tryout with the Bombers, looking to get back to a career as a long snapper/fullback after running into legal troubles in 2011.
Matechuk was found to be in possession of 543 anabolic steroid pills, 262 millilitres of anabolic steroids in liquid form, 1.25 grams of marijuana, 19 syringes and 51 replacement needles at the Canada-u.s. border prior to the Hamilton Tiger-cats training camp last season.
The Ticats released him and he pleaded guilty to the felony and misdemeanour charges. Matechuk was sentenced to 90 days of prison time last September, serving 60 of those behind bars.
The Bombers offered the player another opportunity to play football, a chance for which the 26-year-old was grateful.
“I’d like to thank the Blue Bombers in giving me a second chance in my football career,” Matechuk said, admitting he’s been suffering from depression for the past 2 ½ years. “It’s really humbling. I’ve made mistakes in my life and fortunately I was able to learn from those mistakes. I really love football.
“The things that happened to me, I did them to myself,” he said. “I live with depression, I suffer from the mental illness of depression, and I used steroids and marijuana as part of a coping mechanism to make me feel better. I went off my medication when I shouldn’t have.”
Matechuk, who said going public with his depression was a big step in his recovery, approached the Bombers for the opportunity in the off-season. He signed a contract in February.
The club believes he is genuine in his regret over the legal troubles.
“He’s a good kid who made a mistake,” Bombers head coach Paul Lapolice said. “I’m sure he’s going to fix it.”
GRIDIRON GRIST: Bombers centre Obby khan, 31, has called it a career after eight seasons in the CFL, six with Winnipeg.