The Winnipeg Blue Bombers enter the 2024 Canadian Football League season with a pair of Global players on the roster after linebackers Lucky Ogbevoen from Austria and Fabian Weitz of Germany were both added to the practice roster.
Fabian Weitz
The 6′, 221 pound Weitz from Cologne, Germany, who the Bombers picked eighth overall in the first round of the 2024 Global Draft, played for the Cologne Centurions in the European League of Football in 2023. The 26 year old had 20 tackles and a fumble recovery in five games with the Centurions. He had returned to Germany after graduating from the University of Buffalo (2018-2022) where he played in 22 games, mainly on special teams. During the 2024 CFL Global Combine he impressed after running a 4.77 40 yard dash, the second fastest time among linebackers and defensive linemen while also pumping out 17 reps on the bench.
Weitz started playing football at the age of 12 in his hometown of Cologne and by 2017 had graduated up to the senior team, the Cologne Crocodiles and in five games that season recorded 14 tackles, five tackles for loss one interception and two sacks. As a member of the German youth national team, he was a key part of the 2014 U15 win over Canada and a semi final run in 2017’s U19 European championships.
Lucky Ogbevoen
Lucky Ogbevoen who the Bombers selected in the second round of the Global Draft was the 17th overall pick. The Vienna born 6’2″, 223 pound 23 year old Ogbevoen is a graduate of the Vienna Vikings football program and while playing for youth teams for the Vikings also was picked to play on the Austrian National U17 and U19 teams. He made his debut with the Vikings senior team in 2018 and in 2019 led the team in tackles while helping Vienna reach the final both years. He spent the 2022 and 2023 European League of Football seasons with the Tirol Raiders recording 166 tackles including 18 tackles for loss a four sacks. He was named Raiders Defensive MVP in 2022.