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John Woods \/ THE CANADIAN PRESS<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The moment for Milt was a powerful reminder of the human side of sports and it\u2019s in that spirit that we turn to the rest of the league. Here\u2019s a look at what else stood out this week in the latest edition of CFL Rundown.<\/p>\n
1) Davis Alexander\u2019s 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\u2019t 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\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019t get any easier for Ryan Dinwiddie\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
3) Shawn Lemon\u2019s return to the CFL, after his gambling ban was lifted, sets a dangerous precedent and seriously questions the league\u2019s integrity. It\u2019s puzzling how the CFL, seemingly dead set on keeping Lemon out, reversed course under new commissioner Stewart Johnston. And while the CFL highlighted Lemon\u2019s remorse and commitment to \u201chelping other players learn from his mistake,\u201d the Alouettes\u2019 press release on his signing failed to mention he first must serve a two-game suspension for a failed drug test.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s also breathing new life into Calgary\u2019s notoriously fair-weather fanbase. The Red and White are giving their supporters plenty to cheer about and that energy is vital for the CFL\u2019s overall health. Edmonton Elks, it\u2019s you\u2019re turn.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Spencer Colby \/ THE CANADIAN PRESS<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 5) Rookie receiver Damien Alford, the No. 1 pick in May\u2019s 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\u2019s a bold prediction this early, it wouldn\u2019t be surprising to see him vying for both the league\u2019s Most Outstanding Rookie and Most Outstanding Canadian awards by season\u2019s end.<\/p>\n \n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n \t\t 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\u2019s good news for the Bombers, who simply aren\u2019t the same without their star quarterback. Also, what\u2019s 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\u2019s talent should not be wasted on the sidelines.<\/p>\n 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\u2019t exactly scream job security, and while he\u2019s had to deal with injuries, notably to quarterback Dru Brown, the expectations are high and patience is low for a winner in the nation\u2019s capital. The Redblacks are on the bye week, which is usually when a change is made.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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 \u2014 pushing it from 15 to 25 yards \u2014 but Amos remained in the game. If we\u2019re 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\u2019re just going to see more of this.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t Jeff Hamilton 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\u2019s journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Jeff produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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