The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Canadian Football League lost one of its most passionate fans and respected scouts this weekend with the passing of Craig Smith.

Smith, who was 69, died Sunday morning in Regina after fighting various health ailments for the last few years. His passing was announced via a post on Facebook by his wife, Cathy.

Smith had been working with the Blue Bombers as a national scout when it was announced in October of 2017 that he was stepping away from his job after being diagnosed with acute myloid leukemia. He entered remission following a stem cell transplant but then battled through a series of health complications, including congestive heart failure.

The Blue Bombers issued this statement on Sunday:

The Winnipeg Football Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of longtime CFL scout Craig Smith. pic.twitter.com/J7hqNGwUAB

— Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) August 24, 2025

A proud Winnipegger, Smith joined the Blue Bombers in 2016 as an already well-established CFL scout with the B.C. Lions, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Saskatchewan Roughriders. In this story in 2016 he spoke of his opportunity Blue Bombers and his connection with the team:

“I’m dating myself here, but my first game was the 1962 West Final against Calgary,” Smith recalled. “Farrell Funston fell on the ball in the end zone and scored a touchdown and the Bombers went to the Grey Cup and won.

“We lived in Transcona. This is how long ago it was… I’d get on the bus, for a dime, and it would get me to City Hall and then I’d get a transfer and get on the Polo Park bus and I’d do that a couple times a week to watch practice.

Smith during his days as a Blue Bombers scout, attending Denver Broncos training camp

“I’d go down and get them to sign my autograph book. Looking back, it was kind of silly because some of them must have signed my book 80 times, but I did it so I could talk to the players. (He and his wife Cathy) were there in 1984 in Edmonton and were ecstatic. We were in the stands in 1990 when we beat the crap out of Edmonton and that was the greatest day. Since then I’ve rubbed shoulders with James West, I know Hufnagel, Danny McManus, Sammy Garza… all these guys.

“And now all these years later I’m back.”

Smith began his coaching career with the Westside Warriors in Vancouver while working as computer operator at the University of British Columbia. He then joined the UBC coaching staff and got his first opportunity in the CFL in 1999 with the Lions.

Smith, centre, alongside Mike O’Shea and Kyle Walters at the CFL Combine in Regina this March

Smith remained connected to the game and the CFL by maintaining his scouting habits, often posting on Facebook photos of his set up on game day, including multiple TV screens and monitors and featuring the the depth charts for the teams playing. He attended the CFL Combine in Regina in March and the respect he earned in the game was evident by the number of league coaches and personnel who stopped by to greet him and have their picture taken with him.

Condolences to Craig’s wife Cathy and his many, many friends and family both in football and outside of the game.