Every day Roughriders practice is a bit of a family affair.
Head Coach Corey Chamblin has been preaching the importance of family to his players and his staff, but maybe not all of them. For some every day is family day at practice.
If you're ever at Mosaic Stadium watching the team work out, you'll usually see three young boys hanging out. They're actually the sons of Special Teams Coordinator Bob Dyce, Defensive Backs Coach Barron Miles and linebacker Weldon Brown (though for Brown it's his step-son). Family of other players and coaches show up every once in a while too, most noteably Chamblin's wife and kids and Geroy Simon's family.
Dyce's son has been around pro-football for a while, spending time with the Blue Bombers when Dyce was in Winnipeg.
"So it's neat to see him as one of the older guys, and helping out a little more," said Dyce.
It's a busy time to Trystan Dyce, as not only is he at practice every day but also helping out the equipment staff with the team. He also spends a lot of time playing for the Regina Thunder. Dyce believes his son is taking a lot from being around the professionals every day, especially when it comes to the work they put in and the mental part of the game.
"Trystan, as I've told him, he's always been a better player than I ever was," said Dyce. "I watch him and continue to see him grow as a player."
Trystan is actually taking time away from the University of Manitoba to play for the Thunder and spend time with his dad this summer. Dyce admits if he ever got the chance he'd love to coach his son at the professional level.
"At that point you have a little more say. Coaching your son at amateur level, he'll do what he likes," joked Dyce. "At a professional level, now it's his pay cheque so he's got to listen."
Miles' son is a little younger than Trystan so he's not helping out as much, but he does what he can.
"Gives him a chance to understand professional football," said Miles. "It helps him learn the game as well."
Like Dyce's son, Miles' son has been hanging around with his dad at practice for a number of years now, dating back to his playing days. Miles said all of the players have always been good with his son and he's been great with them too.
"Different guys tell him different things," said Miles. "What kid wouldn't want all those coaches coaching him?"
Like Dyce, Miles believes his kid has a chance to be a pretty good ball player too; perhaps even better than he was.
"If he keeps preparing himself and do what he's supposed to, it's going to be scary," said Miles. "Yeah, I think he has the makings of something very special."
Whether their sons end up in the big leagues or not, odds are they're definitely building up some pretty good memories and experiences along the way and are making all kinds of kids across Saskatchewan pretty jealous.
