Jason Vega | Shifting Focus

There will be no tears or second thoughts for Jason Vega. Zero. Zilch.

The 29-year-old Brockton, Massachusetts product has long had a different take on professional football to dispel any lingering anger or bitterness that might come with walking away from the game.

And so, Vega will slap his name on a one-day contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers today and retire as a member of the blue and gold without a trace of regret or remorse.

That – leaving on his own terms – makes him unique in a profession often described this way: ‘Great game, crappy business.’

“I’ve always had a somewhat detached view of football,” began Vega in a chat with bluebombers.com. “It was always one where I played it because I enjoyed it, not because I had to. That was something my mom instilled in me when I was younger and it helped me keep it in perspective; that I wasn’t going to play football forever and I needed to have a plan for after the game.

“So for me to walk away from it isn’t overly difficult because I know there are much more important things… family, for me, is prime in every situation. And now that I have a son who was born in October it made it easier for me to say, ‘It’s time.’”

Jason Vega (98) of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers celebrates his touchdown against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in first half quarter action in the CFL East Division Final in Winnipeg, Manitoba on Sunday, November 20, 2011. The Canadian Press Images/CFL/Marianne Helm

Vega played his college ball at Northeastern University before coming north to Canada, first with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. But his Canadian Football League career officially began with the Bombers in 2011 and, after taking his NFL shot with the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys in 2013, he returned to Winnipeg in 2014.

He spent 2015 with the Toronto Argonauts and then finished up last year with the Edmonton Eskimos. And it was before his last regular season game last November – a 41-17 Eskimo win over the Toronto Argonauts in which he had three tackles and a sack – that Vega knew his finish line was near.

“This is something that I’ve been considering for a while,” said Vega. “In 2015 when I ended up playing in Toronto I had a feeling I might be done. I went out there and played and then going into last year’s offseason I was focussed on removing the whole idea of playing football and moving forward.

“Then the opportunity came up to play for Edmonton and I talked to my wife about it. She said, ‘Just give it another go and make sure you’re done with it and if you are, you are. I’ll support you either way.’

“It really hit me the last regular season game of this past season,” added Vega.

“I was going out to the field like I normally do and I just didn’t feel the same way as I used to about football. It just didn’t seem as important any more. So at that point I realized I’ll be OK about it.”

“My son had been born just the month before and all that was on my mind was going home.”

Winnipeg Blue Bombers DE Jason Vega celebrates a sack against the B.C. Lions during fourth-quarter CFL action in Winnipeg on Sat., Oct. 25, 2014. (CFL PHOTO – Jason Halstead)

Vega and his wife Brittany, a Winnipeg gal, have two kids: Adrian, born last October, and a five-year-old daughter, Jazaliah. He’s got a gig now at Waverley Chrysler and has put down roots.

Yes, Winnipeg can grow on a guy.

“Prior to coming here I definitely wouldn’t have known where or what Winnipeg was,” Vega said with a chuckle. “To go from not even knowing where it was to moving here a few years later and starting a family… it’s amazing.

“My first impression of Winnipeg was getting here for rookie camp and it had just snowed. The next day it was raining and then the following day it was sun. It reminded me of Boston… with the exception of having snow in June.”

“Boston is a really big, thriving city where everything is so fast-paced. Here people are saying ‘hi’ to you at the airport… it’s a complete reversal. And I appreciate it.”

Vega conceded he will miss some things about pro football – the goofing around in the locker room, laughing his backside off when somebody snaps a photo of a guy drooling while asleep on the plane, and the camaraderie that comes with spending six months working side by side with teammates.

But he’s content and he’s home with his family. And that’s more than enough.

“I’m not losing any sleep over this decision. Absolutely none,” he said. “Once last season was over I thought about football a little bit, but I didn’t feel the anticipation of going to free agency or anything like that.

“I’m perfectly content with walking away where I’m at with the things I’ve experienced. I’ve done what I needed to do. For me to be able to walk away relatively healthy and in good spirits is the best way to go.”