Bombers' Labbe living a dream
By Kirk Penton, QMI Agency
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  Toronto Argonauts' running back Corey Boyd (L) is tackled by Winnipeg Blue Bombers' linebacker Odell Willis (C) and linebacker Pierre-Luc Labbe (47) during the first half of their CFL game in Winnipeg, October 28, 2011. (REUTERS/Fred Greenslade)
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VANCOUVER - There was Pierre-Luc Labbe with his dad's camera, standing a few feet away from the Grey Cup in a ballroom of the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Vancouver Thursday.
Labbe looked like he was sweating just looking at the thing. It was like there was a force field around it he could not penetrate. His eyes were wide. He snapped away.
"It's amazing," Labbe said. "Who would have known four years ago, from Sherbrooke, a little French-Canadian linebacker coming to Winnipeg with everything to prove ... it was me against the world.
"It's amazing right now. I'm just trying to enjoy every second of it. That's why I've got the camera with me, trying to take pictures of my teammates and the Grey Cup, hopefully I'll be able to touch it on Sunday night."
Labbe wears No. 47 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers because he was the 47th pick in the 2008 draft. There were only 48 players taken.
That makes the latest switch on the Bombers defence all the more amazing. Labbe, in his fourth season, will be the starting middle linebacker against the B.C. Lions in Sunday's Grey Cup.
The Bombers were unhappy with their linebacker play late in the season. So last week in the East final they tried Labbe in the middle and moved Marcellus Bowman, who had replaced the injured Joe Lobendahn, back to the weak side. Winnipeg held the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to a mere 176 yards of total offence and three points.
Defensive co-ordinator Tim Burke said Labbe knows how to play the position. Labbe had been part of a rotation in the front seven for most of the season but now he's full time.
"My dad was telling me last weekend that it was even better than his dreams, being part of the East final, getting my first start ever on defence with one of the best defences in the league, with one of the best defensive co-ordinators in the league, too, and win?" Labbe said, as if he was waiting to be woken up and told they actually didn't win.
"Just being able to run all over that field with the East final trophy. Amazing. I'm really excited right now."
If Bombers fans are concerned about Labbe being in a trance over his promotion, no need to worry. He is looking ahead to the next challenge.
"It's not vacation. It's a business trip, and I want to get back to my playbook and watch film and just try to be ready," Labbe said. "I don't want to be here and just have fun all week and lose on Sunday.
kirk.penton@sunmedia.ca
