Nine years ago, Patrick Neufeld missed out on playing at home to Regina for the Gray Cup.

Now, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive lineman is back on the CFL’s biggest stage and is relishing the opportunity to play in his hometown.

In 2013, Neufeld played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who hosted the Gray Cup. With only three weeks left in the regular season, the Riders traded Neufeld to the Bombers, getting defenseman Alex Hall – who went on to play part of two seasons with the team – in his place.

The Riders went on to win the Gray Cup on their home turf that year.

“It was tough at the time, but that’s the reality of the business,” Neufeld said this week, ahead of his team’s game against the Toronto Argonauts in the 109th Gray Cup on Sunday.

“I am very happy and very proud to be a Winnipeg Blue Bomber.”

The 33-year-old was a standout on the offensive line for Winnipeg, winning back-to-back Gray Cup rings, and being named a CFL all-star in 2021 and 2022.

Neufeld played high school football at Luther College in Regina, and later played for the University of the Saskatchewan Huskies.

“It’s kind of come full circle. I started my football career in high school and I played at the old Mosaic Stadium. To be able to come back here for Gray Cup week and play in a game is pretty cool,” Neufeld told CBC Thursday.

“I’m trying not to let it get to me too much, thinking about all the nostalgia and stuff. But being able to reach friends and family in this city is great.”

Despite the trade in 2013, Neufeld’s parents kept their Saskatchewan Roughriders season ticket. He said he would have family and friends in the crowd supporting him, but not many other local fans would support the Bombers.

“I hope the Riders fans cheer against us. It’s the best rivalry in the CFL and it’s not right for them to be cheering for us.

“I know Bomber fans really care and they will be traveling en masse, so that will be a big boost for us.”

Coaches, teammates praised Neufeld’s play and leadership

Over the past two years, the CFL has honored Neufeld for his on-pitch play, but his teammates and coaches say Neufeld’s leadership off the pitch is also worthy of an all-star.

“We know what Paddy is to us. We don’t need anyone else to tell us he is the best,” Winnipeg head coach Mike O’Shea told reporters Thursday.

“He’s been very solid with our team – how he handles himself, how he helps his team-mates, what it means for them, the character,” said O’Shea.

“I’m so lucky to have been around him for as long as I have.”

Bomber Offensive tackle Stanley Bryant, the CFL 2022 standout quarterback, also praised Neufeld.

“Paddy is a great guy, a great teammate, he’s like a brother to me,” said Bryant.

“I’m glad he’s here, [after] unfortunate situation when he was traded back in 2013 and [the Riders] won the Gray Cup.

“It’s great for him to have two Gray Cups, but also to get the chance this year to get a third in his hometown.”

For Neufeld, the admiration is mutual.

“He’s more than just a teammate to me. He’s like a brother to me. We’ve been together since 2015. We travel together in the off-season. We spend a lot of time in movies. We’re together outside the building, we hang out a lot.”

On Wednesday, Neufeld called Bryant “the best player in CFL history.”

“He’s someone I trust implicitly and someone I know will be consistent in what he does. So we’re very lucky to have him and I really respect him.”

Neufeld is known not only for his playing, but also for his bushy copper beard. While his head coach sports his famous facial hair, Neufeld says O’Shea’s beard doesn’t pile up.

“I think it’s pretty clear that’s me [who has the better beard]. He’s pretty white,” Neufeld said.

But O’Shea cast doubt on the legitimacy of Neufeld’s beard.

“Obviously, I don’t dye my beard, and there have been questions about whether Paddy Neufeld dyed his beard. So if you can tell if Paddy dyed his beard, you’ll probably have a better idea of ​​what the answer should be.”

With the Bombers clinching a rare three-peat Gray Cup, Neufeld and O’Shea are both hoping their beards will be drenched in champagne on Sunday night.

Kickoff for the Gray Cup game is 5pm CT.