Bombers announce Chris Walby first ring of honour inductee

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This article was published 03/06/2016 (3481 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers took another step in honouring their past Friday.

Taking cues from other Canadian Football League clubs, the Bombers will induct nine members this season to their Ring of Honour, with the first being three-time Grey Cup winner and CFL Hall of Famer Chris Walby, who will be enshrined above the suites in the 200-level of Investors Group field in a ceremony prior to kickoff at the home opener against the Montreal Alouettes on June 24.

Following the man known as Bluto will be eight other inductees to be chosen through a fan vote and vetted by the clubs history and recognition committee.

“It’s time to honour the best players who made this a storied franchise (and given us) the history that it has,” Bombers’ president Wade Miller said Friday.

Miller said Walby was an easy pick to be the first name etched into the stadium.

“Chris Walby, everything he has done speaks for itself,” he said. “Our fans will be involved in choosing the next eight to go up. There’s a list of 20 to choose from on bombersfanzone.com.”

So, why did it take so long? Miller didn’t want to speak to the past years, but said the club has been doing more since he arrived, including the erection of a statue commemorating legendary player and coach Bud Grant and the upcoming of the hall of fame walk outside of Gate 1.

“We’re taking our time in doing it right,” Miller said.

Miller said the ring of honour will look reminiscent to the one at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.

 “This is such an honour and it fills me with a tremendous sense of pride,” said Walby in a release from the club. “I just feel lucky to have played my career in this town, to play 16 years here, be a part of three Grey Cup teams and to have suited up with a lot of great players.

“And to be the first guy to be selected for the ring of honour is very special.”

Miller said that Walby told him he didn’t want to be the first inductee.

“He said there was so many and I said, ‘Absolutely there is, someone has to be the first,’ Miller said. “That’s the type of men they all are. They’d all say the same thing.

And does Miller want to be up there?

“No,” he said. “The history and recognition committee, every time they say there’s 60 players they tell me I’m 61.”

A new member of the ring of honour will be inducted each year, according to the club.

Meanwhile, the Bombers will host a pancake breakfast this Sunday for the first 3,000 season ticket holders between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Those who come will get to watch Day 8 of training camp and get a chance to head down to the sidelines. 

NOTES: 

Who stood out: Justin Veltung, not because of anything he did particularly, but because of the neon green leggings he wore under his shorts. Who needs the sun?

Defensive back hopeful Don Celiscar lowered the boom on receiver Thomas Mayo in what turned out to be a physical 12-on-12 scrimmage early on in the day’s first session. Receiver and kick return specialist Quincy McDuffie almost lost his head on a slant route over the middle and newcomer defensive lineman Trent Corney put Stanley Bryant on his posterior on a rush play. The most impressive part about that particular exchange was that Corney didn’t touch Bryant, he just confused the big man with his speed and juke moves. 

Blunder(s) of the day: Andrew Harris had another ball stripped out of his hands, the second time in as many days. Ian Wild was on point, punching the ball loose and then recovering it before taking it to the house. Drew Willy continued to cough the ball up, too. This time Macho Harris was the beneficiary, taking the offering to the opposite end zone.

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Injury update: OL Patrick Neufeld return to practice on Friday, but Johnny Adams did not. O’Shea is still hopeful Adams can suit up in next Wednesday’s game. DE Justin Cole didn’t practice after pulling up lame on Thursday and standout receiver Jace Davis picked up a knock in the day’s first session.

Saturday’s slate: The Bombers will continue the two-a-day trend on Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m. Second session begins roughly around 10:30 a.m. 

Scott Billeck
Reporter

Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade’s worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024.  Read more about Scott.

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