{"id":492333,"date":"2026-02-22T16:24:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T16:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/492333\/"},"modified":"2026-02-22T16:24:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T16:24:09","slug":"remembering-a-franchise-defining-move-for-willard-reaves-in-black-history-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/492333\/","title":{"rendered":"Remembering a franchise defining move for Willard Reaves in Black History Month"},"content":{"rendered":"

During Black History Month this February bluebombers.com saluted some of the players who have played significant roles in the Blue Bombers\u2019 long history.<\/p>\n

Willard Reaves \u2014 running back, 1983-87<\/p>\n

If there\u2019s a list of the best trades made over the many, many decades in Blue Bombers history, the deal that brought Willard Reaves to Winnipeg in 1983 would almost certainly be in the Top 10.<\/p>\n

Heck, it might even be in the Top 5.<\/p>\n

Blue Bombers general manager Paul Robson and his head coach Cal Murphy \u2014 both new to their positions after the 1982 season with the former elevated from the role of assistant general manager and the latter coming over from Edmonton \u2014 pulled off a deal with the Double E on July 2, 1983, which would reap immediate and longer-term benefits for Winnipeg.<\/p>\n

RELATED
\u00bb George Reed\u2019s impact still resonates during Black History Month and beyond<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Corey Mace on representation, responsibility and winning in Black History Month spotlight<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Diversity is strength videos, stories and much more<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Subscribe to the CFL\u2019s newsletter for exclusive offers and league updates<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Reaves (#38) alongside James Murphy (Bluebombers.com)<\/p>\n

That trade saw the Blue Bombers send a first-round draft pick in 1984 and future considerations for Reaves along with fullback Sean Kehoe, running back Scott Stauchand and defensive back Steven Hall.<\/p>\n

It was a pure stroke of genius.<\/p>\n

Reaves became the Blue Bombers feature back immediately in 1983 en route to being named the team\u2019s Most Outstanding Rookie Player and the Canadian Football League\u2019s West Division top rookie while rushing for 898 yards and nine touchdowns in just nine games.<\/p>\n

His numbers exploded a year later as he finished with 1,733 rushing yards and 14 scores while being named the CFL\u2019s Most Outstanding Player. That 1,733-yard mark was the highest single season rushing total in franchise history before it was surpassed by Robert Mimbs in 1991 with 1,769 yards.<\/p>\n

This week, we salute running back Willard Reaves and his significant contributions to the Blue Bombers\u2019 legacy.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcdd \u00bb https:\/\/t.co\/i9b4kOLLMy<\/a>#ForTheW<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/3XaWhkJyi3<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) February 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Working behind a dominant offensive line he nicknamed \u2018The White Horses\u2019, Reaves would lead the team in rushing in each of his five years and remains in third spot on the franchise\u2019s all-time rushing list with 5,923 yards, behind only Charles Roberts (9,987) and Leo Lewis (8,861). In his 62 games as a Blue Bomber, Reaves eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark 26 times.<\/p>\n

A three-time All-CFL running back (1984, 1985, 1987), Reaves left the Blue Bombers in 1988 after a contract dispute with Murphy, then the general manager, who wanted him to take a pay cut and headed south to the NFL, where he played two games with Washington and one with Miami in 1989.<\/p>\n

Nicknamed \u2018The Sheriff\u2019 during his playing days \u2014 he would later become a Manitoba Justice sheriff upon returning to Winnipeg \u2014 Reaves\u2019 great-great grandfather was Bass Reaves, the first Black deputy U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi River and the subject of the Paramount + show \u2018Lawmen: Bass Reeves.\u2019<\/p>\n

After his days as a sheriff, Reaves turned to politics and in September of 2025 was named the leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party. Two of his sons have also played professional sports with Ryan Reaves having played in close to 1,000 NHL games with St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Vegas, the New York Rangers, Minnesota, Toronto and San Jose while Jordan played with both Saskatchewan 92016, 2018) and Edmonton (2022-23) in the CFL.<\/p>\n