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John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press Buck Pierce understands the culture here.

HE'S lived here less than two years.

But unlike the overwhelming majority of Winnipeg Blue Bombers starting quarterbacks before him, Buck Pierce has actually lived here. And by that, I mean lived here year-round, including in the winter when you can only truly get a sense of what it means to be a Winnipegger.

And so it is perhaps only fitting then that it will be Pierce who will lead the Bombers on to the field at Canad Inns Stadium today in a moment that will drip with history -- for the man, the team and the entire city and province.

Today's CFL East Division final between the Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats will mark the final game ever played at the building formerly known as Winnipeg Stadium and Pierce spoke eloquently on the subject Saturday -- like a man who seems to grasp the nuanced history of what that means.

"I've only been here a short time," Pierce told a pre-game news conference Saturday morning at the Blue and Gold Room, "but ever since I signed here and got to playing in Winnipeg, you get a sense of the rich tradition and a sense of loyalty all throughout the province.

"I spent the winter here and I travelled to so many small communities throughout the province and it's January and they're talking about the Blue Bombers season coming up... It's humbling to me. And also it's just an honour to be able to lead a team out there in this situation in the last game of the stadium...

"You look at guys like Kenny Ploen, guys like Leo Lewis and you hear about the legends that have played some of their best games here, in big games. And you know I'm not trying to go out there and be something I'm not. I'm just trying to go out there and put our team in a position to win. Obviously, those guys did that."

They did and they are local legends because of it. The question now -- and it could be answered emphatically today -- is if Pierce has the stuff of those legends or is he just another in a long line of quarterbacks who tried and failed to win this city a Grey Cup championship.

With a Grey Cup drought in these parts now stretching into its third decade, the local faithful have a huge stake today in finding out the answer to that question. But Pierce also has a big personal stake in what happens today.

Pierce will be a free agent this winter and it's unclear what his value is right now on the open market. On the one hand, he's started a career-high 16 games in 2011. On the downside, he's also left five games early this season with injury and has played one-and-a-half quarters of football in the past month. On top of that, his quarterback rating this season ranked him seventh in the league.

But all that would be forgotten -- and the first decimal of any contract offer this off-season would rise significantly -- if Pierce rises to the occasion in today's final, history-laden game at Polo Park.

"I can say it's been an honour to be with these guys this year and to be brought into an organization such as this with the faith they've shown in me. And I just want to give everything I have back to them," said Pierce.

"It's a game that I feel we should win. Future stuff (like his contract) I really don't worry about. I have an opportunity (today) to win a game with the team and for an organization that deserves that. And I think that's bigger than anything else."

Pierce was asked if it is already an accomplishment simply that a 4-14 Bombers team in 2010 is even hosting the 2011 East Final.

"To get the team we had last year to this point is an amazing accomplishment. Do we have a long way to go? Yes. But it's been an exciting year. And we're excited to cap it off," said Pierce.

"That's the ultimate goal -- to lead a team to a championship. That's something I've put on my shoulders, that's a responsibility I look forward to, and that's the reason I keep coming back, I keep getting up, is to have a chance to lead a team to a championship."

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 20, 2011 B3