Tay Gowan during Blue Bombers Rookie Camp; photos by Cameron Bartlett
A scene worth recreating from Winnipeg Blue Bombers rookie camp this week…
There was quarterback Chris Streveler readying to connect with a receiver in the critical one-on-ones with the defensive backs. Looking to his left, Streveler noticed the cornerback hunkering down into his stance across the line of scrimmage — #23 Tay Gowan.
“Is that Gowan Island over there?” Streveler said with a grin, referring to the nickname hung on the young defender during their days together with the Arizona Cardinals and a riff on the nickname given to former NFL All-Pro Darrelle Revis — AKA ‘Revis Island’ — as opposition QBs rarely threw to his side of the field. “He was a rookie in ’21 when I was with the Cardinals, and he was ‘Gowan Island.’ So, when I saw him over there I thought, ‘OK, cool. I’m coming at you Gowan Island.'”
For the record, on the ensuing play Gowan covered his receiver step by step and completely blanketed him in a rep that has played on repeat through three days of rookie camp. Indeed, while the dozen or so defensive backs on the field took their respective turns flashing, Gowan has been so impressive it was noticeable on the rare snap he did NOT bust up a pass thrown in his direction.
So, this is the story of ‘Gowan Island’ — a nickname also emblazoned across his back in tattoo form — and how a player with early-round National Football League talent has since bounced from Arizona to Philadelphia to Minnesota and then Tennessee is now here with the Blue Bombers in an attempt to land a regular gig and jumpstart his career again.
“I was waiting around for maybe an opportunity in an NFL minicamp but ultimately I decided that this would be the best option for me. I just want to be part of a winning organization and get on a field again,” said Gowan in a chat with bluebombers.com. “I haven’t played football in a year, and it sucks being on a practice squad. I don’t want that anymore. I want to actually play football again and have fun with it again.
“It’s been very hard to watch and not have a game day. I’ve been playing football since I was five years old and when you’re tucked away on the practice squad when you feel you should be playing… you’ve got to be strong mentally to go through that. I feel like if I come out here and pour into the organization and they pour into me I’ll be able to show I belong on the field and be able to play with any organization at any professional level.
“That’s what I want.”
Gowan, now 27, began his collegiate career at the University of Miami-Ohio before moving to Butler Community College and then established himself as a legit NFL prospect in his first year at the University of Central Florida in 2019.
And that’s when things took a sideways turn — like they did for so many — with the devastation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. He tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020 and then his infant daughter Skyler — born premature at just two pounds — contracted the virus from him, as did his girlfriend and mother, who had to be hospitalized. Concerned about the health of his daughter and his family, Gowan opted to step away from football in 2020.
“There was so much uncertainty for me and my family then and as a first-time father I felt in my heart it was best for me to sit out during the COVID year and be there for my daughter,” he said. “I ultimately declared for the draft and looking back I probably should have come back and played (another year at UCF) but this has been my journey.
“I don’t regret it but sometimes it’s hard not to think about what might have happened if I went about it differently. But my daughter needed me more than football. I felt this was the way I needed to handle things and that’s what I put my faith in.”
Gowan’s decision to step away and declare for the draft ultimately saw him drop from a Top 100 pick to the sixth round, where he was selected 223rd overall by the Cards. Still, Arizona was convinced they had found a late-round gem after Gowan started to stand out in the preseason and the Eagles were intrigued, too, ultimately acquiring him from the Cards as part of a package for veteran tight end Zach Ertz later that season.
Taking that next step and getting on the field was difficult, however, as Gowan moved from the Eagles to the Vikings and Titans, suiting up for six games over three years.
All of which brings us to the here and now and with rookie camp coming to a conclusion before the veterans report and main camp opens Sunday morning. The Blue Bombers have a vacancy at the one starting cornerback spot after Tyrell Ford left in free agency to join his brother Tre with the Edmonton Elks. Gowan stood out against the rookies now comes the opportunity to shine against the likes of Nic Demski, Dalton Schoen, Kevens Clercius, Reggie White, Jr., Jerreth Sterns, Keric Wheatfall et al.
“Every day I just want to try to get better and I want to get to know my teammates,” Gowan explained. “As the DC (Defensive Coordinator Jordan Younger) said this is a real team and we’ve got to do stuff together and the guy next to me, we’ve got to be on one accord. I’m going to get to know my teammates and let them know they can trust me.
“I want to grow my game. I once proved I could compete with the best in the NFL. Now I want to do it again against the best in this league.”
NEXT: All CFL teams must cut their rosters down to 85 on Saturday and head coach Mike O’Shea offered this as to what’s next for the coaching staff:
“Watch the film. Make sure we’re diligent and fair in our evaluations and we’ll probably have to make a couple decisions going forward. Then the rookies get some time off to recover for basically a day and a half and get back at it.”
All veterans are scheduled to have reported by Saturday, with the first full day of training camp going Sunday morning at Princess Auto Stadium from 9-11:40 a.m. All practices are open to the public, unless otherwise indicated.
FYI: Some encouraging news on the health front for the CFL. Read on here:
