MOS on Injury/Collaros Update

Slingin Sammy · September 09, 2025, 11:36:48 PM

I'll start off by saying, I agree in general with MOS that personal health info is private info; personal medical info is protected in MB by privacy legislation...BUT...during MOS' media availability today (Sept 9), he was completely disingenuous and quite frankly insulted the intelligence of fans and those concerned for Zach's health.

In response to questions asking for his response to Milt's comments after the LDC that he wouldn't let Zach take another snap if he was his son (on the assumption that Zach suffered another concussion) MOS said those comments were "cavalier" and that reporters and fans shouldn't speculate that Zach suffered another concussion...fast forward a few hours later and Zach is listed as having a head injury...c'mon man...leave it at personal med info is private...the cumulative effect of Zach's "head" injuries is concerning...no right minded fan or objective onlooker believes Zach should continue to unduly risk his long term health playing ball...but don't insult objective onlookers and fans by saying we shouldn't assume Zach was concussed when a seemingly nothing burger of contact to the head combined with his history of "head" injuries caused him to lay motionless on the turf...given the evolving knowledge of the impact multiple concussions may have on a person's long term health and concerns like CTE, MOS needs to step away from this conversation and let the pro's properly advise Zach...just leave it at that...to be fair I think MOS' response was a gut reaction.. protect my guy...but he just ended up looking foolish and ignorant IMHO...that's my rant...go blue.

Sir Blue and Gold · September 10, 2025, 03:30:55 AM

I think Mike O'Shea is one of the best coaches in Winnipeg Blue Bombers history. But there's a flaw in his thinking on injury transparency.

If the team doesn't share reliable (and from their perspective, controllable) information, the vacuum will be filled with rumours, half-truths, and unverified reports. That's just how media and fan ecosystems work.

A simple question back to O'Shea is: are those rumours really better for a player's image, livelihood, and life after football than sharing the truth?

It's Communications 101. When you don't provide clarity, the narrative writes itself.

Transparency builds trust. Strategic silence, unless part of a clear, intentional plan (e.g., protecting competitive advantage in playoffs), often backfires because stakeholders, fans, media, even sponsors don't tolerate ambiguity for long.

Silence will cost more than transparency in the long run. It always does. You can get away with it if it's a foot injury to a special teams player. It's much harder when it's the face of a franchise and brain trauma. He aught to be able to understand the difference by now.

TecnoGenius · September 10, 2025, 08:02:10 AM

Well, Milt doesn't know if Zach has a concussion or not. Only MOS, Zach, trainer & doc know that.

Ignore Zach for a moment, think back to the end of Ricky Ray. There was similar talk. For years, actually. "Ray can't take one more hit" blah blah blah. It wasn't until that devastating hi-lo hit and Ray clearly out cold for a long time that Ray seemed to decide to call it quits. Even then, I think he finished the season(?).

Zach's not dumb. Let Zach figure it out and decide. I'm happy if he plays (happier if he wins), and will understand if he doesn't. Milt said his peace: everyone has an opinion. I like it when the panel takes a stand/side rather than just waffles. Even if I don't agree.

Knowing Zach, he won't call it quits mid-season in the home GC year...

Jesse · September 10, 2025, 11:55:48 AM

I feel this statement is MOS's version of transparency.

And when you listen to his comment that he refuses to share injury news for privacy reasons and he will not violate that right/trust. It's hard to legitimately disagree with him.

What's our reason? Whining that we want to know? I don't like it but I completely understand it.

Sir Blue and Gold · September 10, 2025, 01:31:59 PM

Quote from: Jesse on September 10, 2025, 11:55:48 AMI feel this statement is MOS's version of transparency.

And when you listen to his comment that he refuses to share injury news for privacy reasons and he will not violate that right/trust. It's hard to legitimately disagree with him.

What's our reason? Whining that we want to know? I don't like it but I completely understand it.

I'm generally on-side with Mike O'Shea's position. Fans don't need a blow-by-blow on every roster injury. If Logan has a quad issue, fine, who cares what it is exactly. If a backup lineman has an ACL or MCL problem, it doesn't change much for the public conversation. That level of detail isn't necessary.

But the face of the franchise is different. Zach Collaros isn't just another player. He's a quasi-public figure, marketed relentlessly to fans and sponsors. Walk into the Bomber Store and you're greeted by a $300 Collaros jersey front and centre. Sponsors pay hundreds of thousands to be associated with him and what he represents. The team itself builds campaigns around his image and leadership.

That's exactly why a higher level of transparency is required. No sponsor wants their brand tied to silence around concussions. No fan wants to wonder if winning is being prioritized over a star player's long-term health. And in the absence of facts, rumours and speculation spread quickly, causing as much or more damage than the truth itself.

It's a poor look from O'Shea who should be able to see the issue from all sides by now. Maybe he does and doesn't care.

blue_or_die · September 10, 2025, 01:58:28 PM

I came on the forum this morning to see what's going on with Zach. Do we not know yet?

Pigskin · September 10, 2025, 02:47:12 PM

We should know a little more when practice starts this morning.

Throw Long Bannatyne · September 10, 2025, 03:11:42 PM

Quote from: Jesse on September 10, 2025, 11:55:48 AMI feel this statement is MOS's version of transparency.

And when you listen to his comment that he refuses to share injury news for privacy reasons and he will not violate that right/trust. It's hard to legitimately disagree with him.

What's our reason? Whining that we want to know? I don't like it but I completely understand it.

I can see it both ways, by ushering Zach off the field into the "white tent" or straight to the dressing room the Bombers control the narrative and can trot him out again or next week if Zach agrees to play and is physically up to it. I doubt the league has medical personnel in every stadium to examine concussed players, as I've heard the "spotter" is located in T.O. and may be no more than an extension of CC. They leave it up to the teams to manage the protocol,

MOS is a believer in free will, if Zach still wants to play, he's going to let him. I think the CFL in general goes along with this concept, it's a bit of a sham but it's almost essential to keep the game of football functioning. Playing football is like smoking or drinking, everybody knows it's bad for one's health but some do it anyway because they enjoy it.

Mick · September 10, 2025, 03:16:34 PM

I was at the game, the fact that Zach jogged off the field with his helmet on, in my opinion is a good sign. I highly doubt he plays this week. They aren't going to risk losing him for the year when the playoffs and a cross over all well within reach. I for one want Strevler go in. It's time for him to put up or shut up.

Blue In BC · September 10, 2025, 03:21:01 PM

Collaros probably doesn't practice today. We'll find out tomorrow if he plays or is moved to IR. From a football point of view I want him to play. From an injury point of view I don't want him to play. Further to that I expect a smoke and mirror response by the team as to his real status.

Something like GTD before moving him to IR? It's a bit of a no win situation. Every time he plays and gets hit we'd wonder if he can get up.

Slingin Sammy · September 10, 2025, 04:34:32 PM

Quote from: Jesse on September 10, 2025, 11:55:48 AMI feel this statement is MOS's version of transparency.

And when you listen to his comment that he refuses to share injury news for privacy reasons and he will not violate that right/trust. It's hard to legitimately disagree with him.

What's our reason? Whining that we want to know? I don't like it but I completely understand it.

I agree that it's private info; so just leave it at that...don't start adding in other statements...part of his response to a question about a history of injuries was to indicate if a player has two different types of physical injuries, that doesn't lead him to necessarily have a concern about that players long term health (paraphrasing)...then the reporter said but with Zach's history of concussions...to which MOS said we shouldn't speculate...then a couple of hours later Zach's listed as having a head injury...just say Zach's consulting with medical professionals..or something general...particularly when it comes to a person who has been documented to have had multiple serious concussions in the past...

That was the basis for my rant; not that we didn't get more transparency...I sincerely hope that it's not another concussion.

Blue In BC · September 10, 2025, 09:29:47 PM

Quote from: Slingin Sammy on September 10, 2025, 04:34:32 PMI agree that it's private info; so just leave it at that...don't start adding in other statements...part of his response to a question about a history of injuries was to indicate if a player has two different types of physical injuries, that doesn't lead him to necessarily have a concern about that players long term health (paraphrasing)...then the reporter said but with Zach's history of concussions...to which MOS said we shouldn't speculate...then a couple of hours later Zach's listed as having a head injury...just say Zach's consulting with medical professionals..or something general...particularly when it comes to a person who has been documented to have had multiple serious concussions in the past...

That was the basis for my rant; not that we didn't get more transparency...I sincerely hope that it's not another concussion.

Bombers had announced that Case, Schmekel and then Schoen were placed on the 6 game IR and finished for the season. Their injuries were identified in a broad sense, like " ACL " etc.

I don't see how this is any different or why the secrecy.

TecnoGenius · September 10, 2025, 10:25:22 PM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on September 10, 2025, 03:11:42 PMPlaying football is like smoking and drinking, everybody knows it's bad for one's health but some do it anyway because they enjoy it.

Except this vice pays you $600k+ a year! If smokes and booze paid $600k a year to participate, even square me might take them up!

TecnoGenius · September 10, 2025, 10:26:51 PM

Quote from: Blue In BC on September 10, 2025, 09:29:47 PMBombers had announced that Case, Schmekel and then Schoen were placed on the 6 game IR and finished for the season. Their injuries were identified in a broad sense, like " ACL " etc.

I don't see how this is any different or why the secrecy.

Because being season-ended with a concussion is basically 100% voluntary. Even if you desperate want to voluntarily play with an achilles, you still can't.

Blueforlife · September 10, 2025, 10:32:06 PM

Quote from: TecnoGenius on September 10, 2025, 10:25:22 PMExcept this vice pays you $600k+ a year! If smokes and booze paid $600k a year to participate, even square me might take them up!

Zach's decision is mostly about health and family but the approx. lure of half a mil will make people take risks. I am not really a risk taker with money (love my divy stocks) but do take risk doing sports like surfing, downhill skiing, quading and sledding. Sometimes fun to live on the edge.