Michael Wakefield’s reunion with the Ottawa REDBLACKS has been a long time coming.
The six-foot-three, 268-pound interior defensive lineman began his CFL career with the REDBLACKS in 2017, where he would play three seasons, starting 24 games and making a Grey Cup appearance in 2018, before the pandemic struck.
Although coming to terms on a new deal in 2020, Wakefield had played his last game in the nation’s capital. He and the REDBLACKS couldn’t agree to a deal for 2021, and the Valdosta, Georgia native moved on, signing with the Montreal Alouettes.
At the time, the move disappointed Wakefield, who spent 2021 and 2022 mostly coming off the bench in a rotation. As time progressed, he realized Montreal wasn’t home, and began missing Ottawa
“Ottawa was my first home in 2017, and it has always been a special place to me,” Wakefield said. “When I got this opportunity to come back, I was super excited about it, and I’m just so happy to be back, I get chills just talking about it.”
The Florida International alum won’t hide his love and pride for the city he now calls home. He says that he worked to get back with the REDBLACKS each of the past two offseasons, striving to return to what he calls the most exciting area in the CFL.
With the stadium built right in the middle of all kinds of restaurants, activities, and pre-game festivities, the atmosphere before a REDBLACKS game is always incredibly vibrant, and the players feel the excitement and anticipation, particularly Wakefield, who fell in love with the fan’s ambiance.
“It’s something about this town, the mentality here, all of the things around here are built around this team,” Wakefield said. “The fans want to come see us win, and I got a glimpse of other cities playing with Montreal, but there’s something different about this place.”
The homecoming wouldn’t have been complete without making the opening day roster, something he never took for granted.
“Throughout this whole camp, Michael has been outstanding,” said Head Coach Bob Dyce. “It has been fantastic to have him back here. He’s exhibited great quickness and physicality, and it was good to see that realized on the field.”
His effort is nothing new, Wakefield says.
“That’s just me. It doesn’t matter what [the situation] at camp is, or what kind of year I had before, I’m going to come out every down and give it my all,” Wakefield said. “That’s one thing that I want to preach to this team.”
Off the field, Nigel Romick, one of the final remaining original REDBLACKS on the roster, has noticed a difference in the way “big Mike” carries himself, which has translated to success on the field.
“He’s a great guy who brings such a veteran presence now,” Romick said. “He’s a great player, and it’s awesome to have him back. He’s just flourishing. He’s getting better every year, and you can see it in his game day performance.”
Off the back of a defensive performance to be proud of, racking up six sacks, with one coming courtesy of Wakefield, the REDBLACKS’ attention has turned to the home opener on Thursday night.
Wakefield has seen some of the greatest heights in franchise history, claiming the East Division title in 2018, but also felt the lows of 2019. He remembers a time when TD Place was a fortress, where opposing teams dreaded coming, but believes the REDBLACKS have the talent – and desire – to bring that back.
A win over the Calgary Stampeders is everyone’s top priority right now.
“It would mean a lot,” Wakefield said. “These fans want to see home wins, we understand that, and we’re coming out looking to give it to them.”
