Bombers visit Portage for 'I Love to Read Month'

École Arthur Meighen was host to one of the final stops on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 'I Love to Read Month' tour. The school was visited by two players, Pat Neufeld and Shayne Gauthier. Gauthier is from Quebec and says it was great to come out to Portage and share a love for books in French.

"It's always fun to read in French, because now that I am here year-long, I don't have the opportunity to speak French as much. But it's always fun to share the language with the kids, and I'm very proud to be a French Canadian."

The Bombers linebacker adds that it is an asset to be able to speak more than one language.

"It's great to be bi-lingual and know multiple languages, it will help you in a lot of spheres of your life."

Pat and Shayne show off the books they read to the kids

Pat Neufeld, an offensive guard for the club, read a book titled 'The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs.' He shared his experience with 'I Love to Read Month.'

"It's great," Neufeld says. "We've been hitting a bunch of schools across the province for the whole month, but today was great. I grew up in French Immersion, and I've kind of rekindled it since I've been in the CFL with guys from Quebec on the team. I read in English, but I tried to do a little more in French today."

Students filled the gym to listen as Neufeld and Gauthier read to them. Neufeld notes they were a great audience.

"This was a great school," Neufeld shares. "They were really intent listeners, they asked great questions at the end. It's just great to see people that are fans of us, fans of our organization, and they come out and take the time to listen to us read, and just enjoy hanging out together."