Saskatoon-born player added to LA Chargers active roster

When he was a teenager, he played football at St. Joseph’s High School in Saskatoon.

This weekend, Brett Boyko is hoping to play in the NFL.

Boyko has been added to the LA Chargers active roster as an offensive guard for Sunday’s Christmas Eve game against the New York Jets.

“I’m really proud of him. I’m looking forward to watching him this weekend. Pretty nice Christmas surprise, that’s for sure,” said Darin Wist, one of Boyko’s former high school coaches.

When Wist first met him, he remembers thinking of Boyko as someone who had a lot of potential as an athlete.

He hoped he would end up playing football.

“One of those kids you just notice when he walked through the door. (He) was about six feet three inches when he was in Grade 9. A big thick kid then,” Wist said.

Wist said he will be watching the game this weekend.

In fact, he has always followed Boyko along in his career.

“He spent time on the practice roster with the Eagles. He spent time on the practice roster with the Chargers. Every time he came back for the summer, I know he was always working hard,” Wist said.

There are five other Saskatchewan born players who’ve made it to the NFL: Arnie Weinmeister, Ruben Mayes, Jon Ryan, Ray Hare and Brett Jones.