For two Steinbach brothers, where football has been part of their life since childhood, to be signed on to play for the Winnipeg Rifles Football Club, is a dream come true. 

Jayden and Eric Martens were invited to try out for the Canadian Junior Football League provincial organization, and last week Thursday the brothers were called in to officially sign with the club.  

Younger brother Eric says, “We signed all the papers and put a jersey on, took some photos, and now, we get to play for the Rifles in the fall.” 

Martens notes they were part of the two-week training camps. “Then they made cuts and yeah, and we both tried out and we both ended up making it, and it was really cool.” 

One thing to note about these brothers is that they play the same position on the field.

Older brother, Jayden explains,  “I'm a slot back, but I'm a wide receiver and I catch the football.” Eric pipes up, “ I do the same thing he does, but he's tall and I'm short.” As to who is faster. Neither would give up that trophy.  

Eric continues, “There are about five receivers on at the same time, depending on the formation. So, if we each get one of the five spots, then we would be on the field at the same time.” 

The Martens brothers have both played football locally for the Eastman Raiders and Steinbach Sabres teams. As well, both brothers were chosen to represent Team Manitoba.

Jayden has also played with the U of M Bisons for the past three years and notes, “I decided to take a year off from school, and so I figured it'd be a great opportunity to play with my brother and go play junior with Eric.”  

The brothers have a few weeks before Rifles training camp begins on July 24 and then they gear up for the season opener on August 13.  

When asked how will playing for the Rifles be different? Jayden responds, “It's obviously going to be a different level of football for sure. You're not going to school, so it's going to be a little bit different, but still really competitive and really exciting and you get to travel across Canada.” 

Eric shares what he is most looking forward to while playing for the Rifles.  

“Probably the competition, because I'm like the young kid on the team, because I'm only 18, and it’s 18- to 22-year-olds that we're playing with, so, the competition of playing with older kids and seeing where I rank within them and just fighting for a spot, I'm looking forward to that.” 

Eric says there are no more cuts, but the coaches will be choosing players for their traveling team, and whether you’ll be dressing for home games. 

Are you curious whether the brothers are happy for each other? 

Eric says, “There is, like, sometimes competition and rival between us, but for the most part, we're pretty friendly with each other."

"I've actually never played football with him because we're the perfect years apart that we've never played a season together. So, that's probably my favorite part about this whole situation, is that we get to play together, be on the same team and I get to have each other’s back the whole time, which is pretty sweet because I've never done that. So just that fact, is pretty sweet.” 

Jayden agrees and adds, “I'm just looking forward to playing football as a starter in a game-style-type thing. I didn't really see the field much as Bison, so this is going to be good, to kind of get back into the game, and be able to “ball out” at game time. It'll be a lot of fun.” 

When it comes to life after the Winnipeg Rifles, both brothers agree a spot on an NFL team would be "awesome".

However, Jayden notes “That's the goal, obviously, to make it to the next level, but for now, it's just enjoying, the process and enjoying the ability to play with siblings and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” 

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