Greg Wojt returns to Edmonton older, wiser and with some sage advice for his on his new and younger teammates. Signed as a free agent by the Esks in the off-season, the O-lineman spent the past two seasons with Hamilton and was part of the ‘Cats resurgence under Kent Austin and part of two painful losses in consecutive Grey Cups.
Born in Warsaw, Poland and raised in Mississauga, Ontario, Wojt reflected on the bitter taste of those defeats on Day 1 of training camp with his new/old team,”When you come that close two years in a row you realize how hard it is to win. I want to help the younger guys understand what it takes to reach that level”.
A second round pick (11th overall) by Edmonton in 2008, Wojt made his CFL debut in 2009. It wasn’t until 2011 that the Central Michigan product nailed down a starting job on an Edmonton O-line in transition. Wojt’s play that season earned him a spot on the CFL West Divison All-Star team.
In 2013, Esks rookie GM Ed Hervey swung a multi-player deal with Hamilton that gave Wojt the chance to play close to home and a with a team that was headed for a berth in the 101st Grey Cup. Wojt’s first season down East was productive and healthy: 17 starts, 3 playoff games and an East Divsion All-Star selection.
Esks Head Coach Chris Jones says with the departure of Matt O’Donnell and with Simeon Rottier starting the season on the injured list a player Wojt addresses some pressing needs, “Ed did a nice job in finding a guy with game experience and experience in the Edmonton community. He’s a character guy who’s been here before”.