A Hall of Fame TD for ‘Peg

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/09/2009 (5852 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Paul BENNETT thought it was time to show his adopted hometown what the Canadian Football Hall of Fame was all about.

Bennett, who came to Winnipeg to join the Blue Bombers in 1980 as a player and returned to stay following the end of his playing career, has been the driving force behind landing the Hall of Fame Game for Winnipeg.

As chairman of events, Bennett has also played a key role in creating and promoting the weekend that will begin Thursday with a sold-out golf tournament and run through Saturday night with the Hall of Fame Game between the Blue Bombers and Toronto Argonauts.

"I would go to Hamilton for the Hall of Fame weekend in years when I knew a guy that was getting inducted, and I can remember being there when they put in Doug Flutie, Mike Pringle, Pinball Clemons and John Bonk and they only had 500 people for the event," Bennett said.

"I thought with a list of inductees like that, it should have been a bigger event. So I got to talking to Mark DeNoble (Hall of Fame executive director) and said to him, ‘What do you think?’ "

DeNoble gave Bennett the go-ahead to explore the idea in Winnipeg and very quickly the former defensive back and 2002 Hall of Fame inductee realized this event could have some sizzle on the Prairies.

"The biggest thing that happened early on is Manitoba Lotteries came on as our major sponsor. That told me I had a chance."

Bennett said a list of talented volunteers came together and the Hall of Fame weekend began to take shape.

"It’s an amazing feat of co-operation," said the 55-year-old, who has a dash of grey on top of a still athletic frame. "When I sit down and think about all the people and components that came together to make this work, I’m still taken aback."

Since 1972, the Hall of Fame Game has been played in Hamilton for every year but one, when it travelled to Calgary in 2003. Bennett’s concept has caught fire and the game is expected to travel to Regina next year and even Moncton, N.B., has expressed interest in hosting the weekend.

"I wanted to raise the bar so a city would have to struggle to outdo Winnipeg," Bennett said. "This is about the inductees, but it’s also about the guy that buys the ticket. There has to be some entertainment. That’s why we’ve got so many former inductees coming this weekend.

"The Hall of Fame is a wonderful place, but if you haven’t been to it, you wouldn’t know. We’re bringing in the five new busts and also the busts of all the locals, plus the Grey Cup. Fans will get a chance to really see what the hall has to offer."

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca

Hall of Fame Weekend events

THE Winnipeg Blue Bombers are hosting the Hall of Fame Game. Here’s a list of the week’s events.

Hall of Fame Golf Tournament — sold out

Niakwa Golf & Country Club, Thursday

This fundraising tournament is closed to the public.

Welcome to Winnipeg Breakfast

Delta Winnipeg Hotel, Friday, 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. (invitation only). Dedicated to welcoming out-of-province guests to Winnipeg and recognizing event sponsors and special guests.

Unveiling of inductees’ busts and presentation of Canadian Football Hall of Fame jackets

McPhillips Street Station casino, Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (open to the public).

Gala Induction Dinner

Winnipeg Convention Centre, Friday, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. (ticket sales are closed)

The new inductees are formally inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Hall of Fame Game

Canad Inns Stadium, Saturday, 8 p.m. (tickets still available)

The new inductees and Hall of Fame guests will be honoured during a halftime presentation on TSN.