Need to Know | Week 4

Dante Daniels has been a professional football player for less than two months so, heck yeah, every experience is a first and every accomplishment earns a check mark on a career to-do list for the big Winnipeg Blue Bombers tight end.

First team. Check. First training camp. Check. First game. Check. First catch. Check.

“The Calgary game a couple weeks ago was my first one and I played against my friend Vyshonne (Janusas, a receiver who also hails from Windsor, Ont.),” said Daniels in a visit with bluebombers.com after Saturday’s practice at Fort Garry Lions Field. “It was one of those things where we looked at each other and said, ‘We’re both playing this sport together now as professionals but the game’s starting now, let’s both lock in now.’

“Then afterward I said, ‘Ok, I’ve played my first game.’ That was one of my goals. I’ve got a thousand more to go, but that was definitely one of them. Sometimes I still get that, those ‘pinch me’ moments. I went home to visit my wife during the bye week and when I was talking to her I said it’s still feels kind of crazy that I’m playing professional football.

“And it was when I was talking to Brady (Oliveira) when it hit me, too. He said, ‘Yeah, you’re young. Take it all in. You’re a professional now, but make sure you’re preparing like a pro, too.’

“I’m playing with vets now and I can’t be sitting here having rookie moments or young moments. I want to step up my game and play hard.”

The Blue Bombers traded with the Ottawa RedBlacks on the night of the Canadian Football League’s Canadian Draft to select Daniels, a big 6-foot-6 tight end/fullback type they believe can morph into an offensive weapon as a blocker and receiver.

To that end, Daniels has already dropped 11 pounds — down to 261 — to help with his quickness and he’s spent every day since the opening of rookie camp soaking in as much as possible. He’s listening to Willie Jefferson to better understand the moves of defensive ends he’ll line up across. He’s leaning into the pass blocking tips from Stanley Bryant, the route-running advice from Nic Demski.

And as Daniels conducted this interview on Saturday, he heard it from one of the players who has already been most influential in Oliveira.

“Look at this guy right here,” said Oliveira, grinning at Daniels. “He’s Mr. All-Star.'”

“All of these guys have all been really good to me,” added Daniels. “Everything has been amazing so far.”

Another first? Having his foster parents Joel and Jennifer Fillion make the trek out to Winnipeg for the home opener from Windsor. The Fillions have been so important in his life — you can read that story from earlier this year here — and having them at Princess Auto Stadium for the game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats was powerful.

Jennifer and Joel Fillion with Dante; photo courtesy The Fillion family

“They surprised me. At the beginning of the year they said they weren’t going to be able to make it out for the first home game and within the week they told me they were coming,” said Daniels. “It was pretty awesome to see them there. I got some pictures with them, too.

“It was really emotional for me — and for my foster parents — to see me out there. It sucks that we lost but we’ll come back stronger than ever.

“My foster dad was born out here and it turns out I’ve got a lot of family out here I didn’t know about. I got to meet a lot of them so that was pretty cool. Oliver Filion is my uncle and he does a hot dog stand on Bomber game days and used to run with the flags and stuff. It was awesome to talk to him.

“They loved it so much but the next game they’re going to is July 5th in Hamilton so, against the Tiger-Cats again. They’ll have watched two games against Hamilton by then so hopefully we can beat them that time.

“That first home game… I mean, rain, shine, snow, anything… the fans came out and showed their support and were there right to the very end. I’m thankful for that. It was awesome to play in front of them. It was electric and it felt like when I was at NC State — loud, passionate, emotional. Just an amazing experience.”

OUCH REPORT: The Blue Bombers are back to work after the bye week and on Saturday they were without centre Tyler Elsbury, who was away for personal reasons but is expected back soon.

Injury Report: Saturday, June 20, 2026#ForTheW | @DoctorsManitoba pic.twitter.com/S6OAa6haLi

— Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) June 20, 2026

THE COACH SAYS: Head coach Mike O’Shea’s media session following practice on Saturday: