SPORTS FLASHBACK 2002: Bombers defensive back offers advice to local fathers

“I do like to hit people on the field, not hurt them,” Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back Harold Nash, Jr. told a collection of fathers in a humorous moment Wednesday evening at Anna’s House in Steinbach.

The nine-year CFL veteran, including four years with the Bombers, has been a key reason that the Bombers have the best defensive unit in the league this season. At only 5’8”, 185 lbs., the 32-year-old native of New Orleans used his blazing speed and experience to shut down opposing receivers.

But his message to fathers Monday night in Steinbach was not just about football, but also about life and how to live it. A deeply religious athlete, Nash talked about his relationship with God, his wife, two-year-old son, his teammates and Coach Dave Ritchie.

Nash said his platform as a Christian athlete allows him to reach more people.

“I can minister to other athletes.”

Breaking in with humorous anecdotes throughout his comments, he stressed that communication with his wife is essential to a healthy marriage.

“In our house, I make the money and she spends it, although she is still better with the finances than I am.”

A veteran of more than 100 CFL games, Nash urges all fathers “to be good dads to their children, take them to a baseball game, do things with them; we can all be better dads.” For my son, I play the role of father, not as a role model. Raise your children with kindness and love.

“My son is a project; I’m getting a dose of my own medicine,” mused Nash, who spent two years in Shreveport and four years in Montreal before following Dave Ritchie to Winnipeg.

Turning to football, Nash and their decisive win over Hamilton on Sunday “was a must-win for us, so we could have home-field advantage in the semi-finals.” But it was an even bigger game for Hamilton, as they were fighting for their play-off lives.

Nash, who admits his number of 00 “is an ugly number,” says he wants to retire a Blue Bomber. “After playing in some of the places I have, then to come to Winnipeg, I really appreciate the fans here.” Originally he wanted the number zero on his jersey, “but they told me it had to be 00.”

Nash talked about the hit Milt Stegall took from Rob Hitchcock, which briefly knocked out Stegall. “That’s football, it happens, but when the game is over, it’s done, we can still be friends. But come play-off time, I won’t talk to anyone on the other team.”

The Bomber vet talked about his strong bond with Coach Dave Ritchie. “I have played for Dave for seven years, including three years in Montreal. If only I could figure out what he’s trying to say. Dave is a treasure. He is extremely loyal to his players, but he could cut you too. I know we will stay in touch with each other for the rest of our lives.”

As for his teammates, he is a close personal friend of Milt Stegall and he is extremely thankful that bruising fullback Mike Sellers is on his team, so he doesn’t have to try to bring him down.

“Everybody gets up to play us,” noted Nash. “Other teams hate us; we’re the black sheep of the CFL. But I like it that way. We’re not playing marbles, we’re playing football.”