Karl Schmitz Hoping To Make Grade At Winnipeg
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Bermudian Karl Schmitz hopes to make the roster at Canadian Football League team Winnipeg Blue Bombers, having resurrected his dream of turning professional.
Schmitz, who had try-outs with NFL teams Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers in 2015, is striving to impress Winnipeg’s coaches at their rookie camp.
The 36-year-old punter was selected by the Blue Bombers in the second round of the CFL Global Draft.
Schmitz, who last played in 2017, was persuaded to put himself forward to be drafted by CFL punting legend Jon Ryan, a former Blue Bomber.
Photo via Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press
“Just knowing my back story, [Ryan] was like, ‘Hey, did you ever consider entering the global draft?” Schmitz told the Winnipeg Free Press. “I said, I have no idea what the hell that is.”
“Putting the helmet on and being around this environment, I feel a spark in me that feels great. I have a smile on my face now, that you can see, but it feels like I’m supposed to be here, being with the boys, letting the balls fly and having fun. It’s exciting.”
Schmitz, born and raised in Bermuda before moving to the United States aged 18, had started his coaching career before being encouraged not to abandon his pro ambitions by Detroit Lions punter John Fox.
“I almost just gave it up to work full time and start my life,” Schmitz said. “I was out there just banging balls with [Fox], and he was just like ‘Dude, why did you stop?’ I was like, ‘You know what, that’s a really good question.’ So, I made a full-time commitment in 2021 to see how much juice I had left in the leg.”
According to the Winnipeg Free Press, Schmitz will have to beat out competition from Canadian punter Marc Liegghio among several others.
“We chatted at the end of the year,” head coach Mike O’Shea told the Winnipeg Free Press. [Liegghio] knew there would be a competition.
“I think the message is the same as it is to everybody. We want to win football games and be the best at every phase. Nobody should be afraid of that. They’re pro football players; nobody’s afraid of that. They want to compete, and they want to win the job.”
O’Shea said he has no worries regarding Schmitz’s age.
“We’re in a profession where you’ve got to win, so if a guy can help you, he can help you… why would you worry about how old he is?” O’Shea said.
“He’s in great shape, just in fantastic shape. I certainly didn’t look like that when I was 36.”
