Winnipeg gets something to cheer about

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This article was published 30/11/2015 (3603 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In a game that provided little for Winnipeggers to cheer about besides the fact it was being played in their own backyard, a scene at the end of the Edmonton Eskimos’ 26-20 win over the Ottawa Redblacks in the 103rd Grey Cup Sunday provided a homegrown, feel-good moment.

With Investors Group Field littered with Eskimos gold and green confetti, the Grey Cup began to make its rounds. First it went to quarterback Mike Reilly, who was named the game’s most valuable player, then to head coach Chris Jones, before finally making its way to the field where it was passed from player to player.

When it fell into the hands of Eddie Steele, a defensive tackle for the Eskimos and a former University of Manitoba Bison, he grabbed it, raised it to the sky and let out a mighty roar. But it’s what came after that will surely stick with the dozens of people chanting his name in the stands — former teammates, family and friends that stuck around to share in his special moment. To return the favour, he grabbed the Cup and walked along what seemed like a never-ending path of screaming fans, giving them the chance to not only see the Cup up close, but to touch it.

“Every kid dreams about playing a championship in their hometown,” said Steele. “To go out and win it… I’m speechless. I’m just full of emotions and this is an amazing feeling man.”

Steele, who played three seasons with the Bisons, including a Vanier Cup victtory with the brown and gold in 2007, was sure to soak in every second. He hugged his teammates and high-fived anyone within range. The weight of a long and gruelling season was made all worthwhile.

“We did it man. All that hard work paid off, all those early mornings in the gym paid off,” he said. “I got a Vanier in my career, now I got a Grey Cup… what more could you ask for? It’s a wonderful football career — it’s amazing.”

Steele wasn’t the only former Bison on the Esks. Don Oramasionwu, who was behind Steele on the team’s depth chart at nose tackle, also played for the cup-winning Bisons in 2007. Now, together once more, they’re Grey Cup champions.

“It’s better than I thought. You see the confetti come down, you see teammates raising the Grey Cup — it’s just an awesome feeling,” said Oramasionwu. “All I know is that we were in a football game and we came out to win. We’re a really close team. I’ve never been in a locker-room like this where everybody cracks jokes and everybody gets along. It’s a great group of guys and I’m just happy to be a part of it.

“It means a lot to hoist the Cup in front of my family. You never know when you’re going to be here again or if you’re going to be here again, so it’s good to finally get it done.”

It was at that moment Steele made his way over, wrapped his arm around Oramasionwu, and with the camera rolling, yelled, “Winnipeg, baby!”

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

twitter: @jeffkhamilton

Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer

Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University’s journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff.

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