Bombers mourn former GM Bishop’s passing

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This article was published 12/07/2011 (5239 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There were mixed emotions in the offices of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Tuesday morning as the club announced the contract extension of punter Mike Renaud and the naming of linebacker Joe Lobendahn as the CFL player of the week while at the same time mourning the passing of former general manager Ken Bishop.

Bishop was the team’s general manager 1998-99 after serving on the board of directors. He died last week at the age of 73.

“It is with great sadness to hear about the passing of one of our past executive,” club president Jim Bell said in a statement Tuesday morning. “Ken spent many years with the organization both as a director and as manager, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”

It was a sombre backdrop to a morning that otherwise saw the club celebrating the contract extension of Renaud. The 28-year-old Ottawa native is in his third season with the Bombers and is coming off a 2010 season that saw him named a CFL East Division all-star after punting a league-high 5,623 yards for a 42.9 yard average.

“We are very happy to extend Mike’s contract as we believe he is one of the top young punters in our league today,” Bombers GM Joe Mack said in a statement.

“Winnipeg is a great place to play football,” said Renaud, “and I look forward to being a Blue Bomber for many years to come.”

Meanwhile, Lobendahn was honoured by the league Tuesday morning for his dominating performance in a 22-16 Bombers win over the Toronto Argonauts at Canad Inns Stadium last Friday. The fourth-year Bomber recorded seven tackles, two sacks and three fumble recoveries againt the Argos.

Renaud, Lobendahn and the rest of the Bombers were on the field at Canad Inns Stadium this morning, practising in preparation for their home game Thursday evening against the Calgary Stampeders.