Friday night at Princess Auto Stadium was more than just a football game.
When Milt Stegall, the legendary Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver, appeared on the TSN panel, the sold-out crowd of more than 30,000 erupted. It was a moment I won’t soon forget, and one that filled me with pride for our city.
Just six weeks earlier, Stegall had endured an unimaginable loss with the sudden passing of his 20-year-old son Chase. His return to CFL on TSN was his first public appearance since the tragedy, and Winnipeg — the city where he spent a decade etching his name into the franchise’s history books — responded with a powerful showing of love and support.
John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers dodged a bullet this week after quarterback Zach Collaros (8) left the game on Friday against the Calgary Stampeders with a suspected concussion. Collaros has been practicing this week but listed on the injury report with a neck injury.
Prompted by a heartfelt message on the Jumbotron, the entire stadium rose to its feet. What followed was a deafening roar in a collective embrace for a man who had given them so many fond memories.
Stegall was visibly emotional, tears welling in his eyes as he absorbed the blue wave of affection. He later confessed that the moment ranked among the most cherished of his entire football career.
That raw emotion and genuine bond between a city and athlete was a beautiful reminder of the unique relationship that exists in pro sports, especially in a league like the CFL, where players often become ingrained in the fabric of their communities.
Perhaps no one embodies that more than Stegall and his lasting connection to Winnipeg. The city showed up for him when it mattered most, holding up one of its own with unwavering compassion and respect.
Over my 10-plus years as a sports reporter, it was easily one of the most memorable moments of my career. To be present for such a genuine display of empathy felt like a privilege and it is permanently etched in my mind.
The moment for Milt was a powerful reminder of the human side of sports and it’s in that spirit that we turn to the rest of the league. Here’s a look at what else stood out this week in the latest edition of CFL Rundown.
1) Davis Alexander’s return for the Montreal Alouettes against the Toronto Argonauts, capped by a game-winning rushing touchdown, was completely overshadowed by the very injury he was battling. It was evident early on that Alexander wasn’t 100 per cent, labouring whenever he was forced to escape the pocket. While he showed off his trademark determination in delivering a comeback victory, one has to question head coach Jason Maas’ decision to bring him back against a 1-4 Argos team, particularly with Chad Kelly still sidelined. Alexander re-aggravated his hamstring and now faces another lengthy stint on the sidelines. The short-term gain of a win against a struggling opponent hardly seems worth the potential long-term setback for a franchise quarterback.
2) The Argos are in serious trouble after their loss to the Alouettes, a game in which they led by 19 points in the third quarter but saw that disappear in dramatic fashion to drop to 1-5. Things don’t get any easier for Ryan Dinwiddie’s club, with back-to-back games against the Bombers on deck. For Toronto to even entertain playoff aspirations, particularly with the increasing likelihood of a West Division crossover, nothing less than a split versus Winnipeg will suffice. The pressure is officially on in The Six.
3) Shawn Lemon’s return to the CFL, after his gambling ban was lifted, sets a dangerous precedent and seriously questions the league’s integrity. It’s puzzling how the CFL, seemingly dead set on keeping Lemon out, reversed course under new commissioner Stewart Johnston. And while the CFL highlighted Lemon’s remorse and commitment to “helping other players learn from his mistake,” the Alouettes’ press release on his signing failed to mention he first must serve a two-game suspension for a failed drug test.
4) The Calgary Stampeders are proving to be a force, arguably in their own tier in the CFL after a dominant three-game win streak that includes two impressive victories over the Bombers and another against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. This resurgence is not only great for creating parity in the league, it’s also breathing new life into Calgary’s notoriously fair-weather fanbase. The Red and White are giving their supporters plenty to cheer about and that energy is vital for the CFL’s overall health. Edmonton Elks, it’s you’re turn.
Spencer Colby / THE CANADIAN PRESS
Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Dru Brown (3) left the game on Sunday after he was on the receiving end of a headshot from Hamilton Tiger-Cats defender DaShaun Amos.
5) Rookie receiver Damien Alford, the No. 1 pick in May’s CFL draft, is quickly making a name for himself with the Stamps. Promoted after an injury to Clark Barnes, Alford has hauled in a pair of touchdowns in each of his last two games and five across the last three. While it’s a bold prediction this early, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him vying for both the league’s Most Outstanding Rookie and Most Outstanding Canadian awards by season’s end.
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6) The Bombers dodged a major bullet this week. Zach Collaros exited the first half against Calgary with a suspected concussion, putting his future with the team in seemingly serious doubt. But Collaros returned to practice this week, recovered enough from what the team is calling a neck injury. That’s good news for the Bombers, who simply aren’t the same without their star quarterback. Also, what’s the deal with Dillon Mitchell, a key off-season acquisition that continues to be a healthy scratch? The Bombers need all hands on deck and Mitchell’s talent should not be wasted on the sidelines.
7) With the Ottawa Redblacks dropping to a dismal 1-6 and not looking at all competitive in their loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday, could it be the end for head coach Bob Dyce? Dyce has coached for fewer than three seasons and boasts an overall record of 14-25-1. That doesn’t exactly scream job security, and while he’s had to deal with injuries, notably to quarterback Dru Brown, the expectations are high and patience is low for a winner in the nation’s capital. The Redblacks are on the bye week, which is usually when a change is made.
8) Speaking of Brown, he was on the receiving end of a headshot from Ticats defender DaShaun Amos that knocked him from the game and added to his injury history. Amos got a clear lane off the edge, but when making the tackle, the crown of his helmet collided with Brown’s helmet, sending his helmet flying and Brown to the locker room with a suspected concussion. The play resulted in a grade two roughing the passer penalty — pushing it from 15 to 25 yards — but Amos remained in the game. If we’re going to reduce the number of headshots and long-term injuries, particularly to quarterbacks, the penalty has to be severe enough to prevent more from happening. Without a proper deterrence, we’re just going to see more of this.
9) The Ticats have been turning heads with four straight victories, currently in top spot in the East Division. Despite being one of the hottest teams, with a prolific offence and improved defence, the Vegas oddsmakers have the B.C. Lions favoured at home. The Lions were brought back to earth in a loss to the Riders, and still have plenty to prove given two of their three wins this year have come against the lowly Edmonton Elks.
Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca
Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer
Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University’s journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff.
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