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Winnipeg Blue Bombers

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 216.36.171.127 (talk) at 21:51, 3 July 2007 (overhauled history, shuffled up order of things). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Founded1930
Based inCanada Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Home fieldCanad Inns Stadium
Head coachDoug Berry
General managerBrendan Taman
DivisionEast Division
ColoursBlue and gold
Nickname(s)Bombers
Mascot(s)Buzz and Boomer
Websitewww.bluebombers.com

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian Football League team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Blue Bombers have won the league's Grey Cup championship ten times, most recently in 1990. They were also the first team not located in Ontario or Quebec to win a cup. They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium.

Team History

The Beginning

The first football team in Winnipeg was formed in 1880, calling themselves The Winnipeg Rugby Football Club. On June 10, 1930, they amalgamated along with all the other teams in the Manitoba Rugby Football Union, to create the Winnipeg's.

1935 Grey Cup

Western Teams had been to the grey cup game 10 times in the past 4 years, but they had always gone home empty handed. It was clear in those days that the east was much more powerful, outscoring their opponents 236-29 in these games. On December 7th, 1935 the Winnipeg's got their first shot at winning the cup. The game was being held in Hamilton, with the home-town Tiger-Cats being their opponent. It was a rainy day at Hamilton Amateur Athletic Association Grounds, with 6405 fans in attendance. Winnipeg was up 5-0 before many fans knew what was happening. After returning the opening kickoff to the Hamilton 15 yard line, the bombers scored quickly on a pass to Bud Marquardt to get the early lead. After scoring another touchdown the Peg’s went into halftime up 12-4. After Hamilton scored a touchdown of their own the bombers lead was cut to 2 points. Then, Standing deep in his end zone, Peg’s RB/KR Fritz Hanson caught the kickoff, and after a few moves and a few missed tackles, was on his way to a touchdown. The final score was Winnipeg 18, Hamilton 12. With that Winnipeg had become the first team from western Canada to win a grey cup.

The Blue Bombers

In 1936 while playing a game against the University of North Dakota, Winnipeg Tribune sports writer Vince Leah remarked "These are the Blue Bombers of Western football". This phrase was referring to then heavyweight champion Joe Louis, known as the Brown Bomber. From that day forward the team has been known as the Blue Bombers.

Early days of Glory

From 1936 to 1949, the Bombers won the right to compete for the grey cup 9 times (1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1942, 1943 & 1945). Of these appearances the bombers won only twice, in 1939 over the Ottawa Roughriders, and again in 1941 over the same Ottawa Roughriders.

The Jack Jacobs Era

Jack Jacobs, Known as Indian Jack, was an Aboriginal Quarterback form Oklahoma. He came to the Bombers in 1950 after a successful career in the US. He led the bombers to 2 Grey Cup appearances, losing both. His exciting style of play and extreme talent increased ticket sales and overall awareness and popularity of the club. The revenue the Bombers were getting from their newfound popularity was enough to convince them to move from the small outdated Osborne Stadium to the new Winnipeg Stadium (now known as Canad Inns Stadium). Jacobs was so well liked that the fans even referred to the new stadium as “The House Jack Built”. Jacobs retired in 1954 to become a talent scout for the team.

The Glory Years

Bud Grant joined the team in 1953. After a glorious four year career Bud Grant accepted the position of head coach of the Bombers in 1957. Grant went on to coach the team for the next ten years before becoming the head coach of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings. During Grant’s tenure as head coach the Bombers welcomed the likes of Ken Ploen, Leo Lewis, Ernie Pitts and Ed Kotowich to the team. The Bombers competed in six grey cups during grants time, winning four (1958, 1959, 1961, and 1962). The 1961 the Bombers won 21-14 over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the first grey cup game to go into overtime. The Bombers and Ticats met again in the 1962 grey cup, with the game being postponed with 9:29 left in the forth quarter due to zero visibility in the infamous “Fog Bowl”. The game resumed the next morning with the Bombers winning 28-27. The Bombers continued to be one of the most dominant franchises in the CFL during the 70’s, but did not make any grey cup appearances.

The Cal Murphy Era

In 1983 Cal Murphy was hired to be the new head coach of the Blue Bombers. Almost immediately, Murphy set the tone for his career with the Bombers by trading popular QB Dieter Brock to Hamilton in exchange for unknown QB Tom Clements. Trading Brock turned out to be a wise decision, with Clements leading the Bombers to crushing victory in the 1984 Grey Cup, coincidently over the Brock led Tiger-Cats. This was the teams first grey cup in 22 years. Murphy was named Coach of the Year in both 1983 and 1984. In 1987 Murphy stepped down as head coach to become the team general manger, with assistant coach Mike Riley taking over head coaching duties. In 1993 he took over head coaching duties again, making grey cup appearances in 1992 and 1993. Murphy went on to lead the team to a total of five grey cup appearances, winning in 1984, 1988 and 1990. The Cal Murphy era ended when he left to coach the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1997 after spending 14 years with the team.

The Milt Stegall Era

Milt Stegall Joined the Bombers in 1995 after an unimpressive 3-year career with the Cincinnati Bengals. He joined the Bombers for the final six games of the 95 season, racking up an impressive 469 receiving yards. In 1999 the Bombers acquired Khari Jones from the BC Lions. Together Stegall and Jones brought the Bombers back to prominence, with Jones being the CFL Most Outstanding Player in 2001, and Stegall getting the honor in 2002. Charles Roberts joined them in 2001, a year which the Bombers went to the grey cup, which they eventually lost to the Calgary Stampeders. The team was a powerhouse during this period, being one of the best teams in the league from 2001 until 2003. Midway through the 2004 season Jones was traded to the Calgary Stampeders, with backup QB Kevin Glenn taking over the starting duties. Glenn led the team to two mediocre seasons after the trade. With the offensive core of Stegall and Roberts still intact, Glenn led the Bombers back to respectability in 2006, making their first playoff appearance in two years. The Bombers lost their first game in the playoffs, but optimism going into the 2007 was higher than ever. A big turning point in the 2006 season was the addition of former Saskatchewan Roughrider Derrick Armstrong, the heir apparent to Stegall. 2007 looks to be the year of Milt Stegall, with him starting only two touchdowns back of being the CFL’s all-time leading touchdown scorer. The 2007 season will also likely Stegall’s his last, as he is 37 years old and has contemplated retirement for the past two seasons.


Current Personnel

Current Roster

Winnipeg Blue Bombers roster
Quarterbacks

Receivers

Running backs

Fullbacks

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Italics indicate American player • Bold indicates Global player • 74 Roster
Roster updated 2024-12-06 • Depth chart • Transactions • More CFL rosters

Current Staff

Winnipeg Blue Bombers staff
Front Office
  • Owner – Winnipeg Football Club
  • Chairperson of the Board of Governors – Dayna Spiring
  • President/CEO – Wade Miller
  • General Manager of Football Operations – Kyle Walters
  • Senior Assistant General Manager / Director of Player Personnel – Ted Goveia
  • Assistant General Manager / Director of U.S. Scouting – Danny McManus
  • Assistant Director of Player Personnel — Cyril Penn
  • Director of Football Operations – Matt Gulakow

Equipment Staff

  • Head Equipment Manager – Brad Fotty
  • Assistant Equipment Manager – Kevin Todd


  

Head Coaches

Offensive Coaches

  • Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks – Vacant
  • Receivers – Vacant
  • Running Backs – Jason Hogan
  • Offensive Line – Marty Costello

Defensive Coaches

Special Teams Coaches

Video Coaches

  • Video Coordinator – Evan Best

→ Coaching Staff
→ More CFL staffs

Stadium

Canad Inns Stadium
Canad Inns Stadium
Blue Bombers Game at Canad Inns Stadium with temporary seating set up in the endzone for the 2006 Grey Cup

During the Blue Bombers' early years the team played at Osborne Stadium, a small stadium near the Manitoba Legislative Buildings. The fast passing-dominated play of Bombers quarterback Jack Jacobs dramatically increased attendance at Blue Bombers games and precipitated the need for a new, larger stadium. Winnipeg Stadium was built in the western part of Winnipeg and the Blue Bombers began play there in 1953. The Blue Bombers continue to play at the stadium, though it has gone through significant changes over the years and is now known as Canad Inns Stadium.

In 2004 an initial proposal was released for a new stadium, to be located at the Assiniboia Downs, but the project was determined not to be feasible. In 2007 the Bombers officially began accepting proposals for a new stadium. As a result of this 3 new proposals came in.

The first proposal released to the public was from David Asper, Canwest Global executive. His proposal involves building a new $120 million stadium adjacent to the current facility. It would require $40 million from each Asper, the federal government, and the provincial government. In exchange for the $40 million from Asper, ownership of the community-owned team would have to be turned over to him. Asper would spend an additional $20 million to build a retail complex at the site. The federal government announced that it was not prepared to spend federal funds on this proposal.

The second proposal came from Leo Ledohowski, CEO of Canad Inns. His proposal involved building a $500 million domed stadium complex on the Public Markets (more commonly known as the Canada Packers site). It also includes retail complexes, at the Public Markets and at the site of the current stadium. Revenue from this would go to the team. Additionally, a Canad Inns Hotel and a Waterpark were part of this proposal. Ledohowski's plan also allows the team to stay community-owned.

The third proposal was rejected and never released to the public.

On May 1, 2007 the Board of Governors announced they have picked Asper's plan as the one they will back.

Trivia


Team facts

Founded: 1930
Helmet design: Gold background, with a blue "W", lightning bolt and football
Uniform colours: Blue, Gold and White.
Stadium: Osborne Stadium (1935-1952), Canad Inns Stadium (known as Winnipeg Stadium from 1953-2002) (1953-present)
Local Radio: CJOB 680 (Am radio) 99.5 (Cable FM)
Eastern Division championships: 6 — 1987, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2001
Western Division championships: 13 — 1936, 1939,1941, 1947, 1950, 1952, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1972
Grey Cup finals appearances: 22 — 1935 (won), 1937 (lost), 1938 (lost) 1939 (won), 1941 (won), 1945 (lost), 1946 (lost), 1947 (lost), 1950 (lost), 1953 (lost), 1957 (lost), 1958 (won), 1959 (won), 1961 (won), 1962 (won), 1965 (lost), 1984 (won), 1988 (won), 1990 (won), 1992 (lost), 1993 (lost), 2001 (lost)
Grey Cup wins: 10 — 1935, 1939, 1941, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1984, 1988, 1990
Division History: Western Football Conference (1961-1979), West Division (1980-1986), East Division (1987-1995), North Division (1995), West Division(1996), East Division (1997-2001), West Division (2002-2005), East Division (2006-present)
Main Rivals: Saskatchewan Roughriders (see Labour Day Classic and Banjo Bowl).
2006 Regular Season Record: 9 wins, 9 losses, 0 ties.


Players of note

Canadian Football Hall of Famers

Former Coaches



See also

References

Bob Irving (edited by). Blue & Gold: 75 Years of Blue Bomber Glory, 2005. ISBN 1-894283-59-7

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