‘It’s awesome to be back wearing the helmet’: Stampeder rookie Matt Sibley living out childhood dream

The University of Calgary Dinos' receiver is going to play with the Calgary Stampeders. It's a dream come true for the born-and-raised Calgarian.

Matt Sibley was born and raised in Calgary. He played his high school football at Ernest Manning and went on to the University of Calgary to play for the Dinos.

And the Calgary football tradition continues for the 22 year old receiver. On April 28^th, Sibley heard his name called at the CFL Canadian draft. His hometown team, the Stampeders selected him in the fifth round, 44^th overall.

Sibley says his dream instantly turned to reality.

“It’s been a whirlwind this past week and a bit,” said Sibley.

“Getting that phone call was something I dreamt of for 20 years. I was thrilled to hear that call, especially from the Stampeders and it’s awesome to be here.”

“I think the first game I went to I was only like a month old,” Sibley added. “We had season tickets. It was a huge family tradition of mine. I’ve been coming to Stamps games for a long time. I’ve got all the jerseys.”

Looking good in red and white

Sibley says it was special putting on the red and white when rookie camp opened on Wednesday of this week.

“It was really real when I saw the helmet and seeing the white horse that I’ve dreamt of for so long,” said Sibley.

“I was like here we go, to actually put it on and seeing my face in that helmet was special and that’s when it really kicked in.”

Great story

Stamps head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson says he was familiar with Sibley from his days playing at Ernest Manning High School.

He’s a believer in the 22-year-old.

“The local connection is just a bonus for us,” said Dickenson.

“I mean we’re going to draft the best player but for him to be from Calgary and obviously he bleeds red as you can tell.”

“It’s a cool story and he’s out her to earn his spot and compete and I trust that he knows what he has to do as well as he’s a good athlete.”

Look up to him

Sibley is eligible to return to the Dinos and that’s likely his destination. But he says he wants to put a stamp on making the team and he wants kids to know what it means to be a Stampeder.

“I want to represent and have that last name on my back and have the youth look up to somebody and they can see that they can be a hometown kid, a Canadian kid and they can get the job done.”