Bombers name three to hall of fame

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The Winnipeg Blue Bombers inducted two big lineman and the team’s biggest voice to their hall of fame on Wednesday.

Dominant lineman on each side of the ball, defensive lineman John Helton and offensive lineman Bob Molle, were named on Wednesday morning at Investors Group Field. Legendary broadcaster Bob Irving, known for his radio play-by-play of the Bombers, will be added to the builder category.

The three inductees will be officially honoured at the Hall of Fame Legacy Dinner in September.

“This year, we’re excited to be moving forward while tipping our hat to the years gone by,” said Jeff Martin, chair of the Blue Bombers board of directors.

Helton was a nine-time CFL all-star and 12-time West Division all-star. He was named the most outstanding lineman in 1972, the most outstanding defensive player in 1975 and received the Tom Pate Memorial Award from the CFLPA for his sportsmanship and dedication to the community in 1979.

“He was a dominant defensive lineman who was already inducted into the CFL hall of fame in 1985,” Bombers president and CEO Wade Miller said. “He was considered one of the top players to ever play in CFL history and in 2006 he was ranked 12th by TSN in their top 50 players.”

Molle was a first-round pick by the Bombers, selected ninth overall. An Olympic silver medalist in wresting at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, Molle won two Grey Cups with the club in 1988 and 1990. Molle holds the distinction of being the only player in the CFL to hold an Olympic medal and a Grey Cup.

“He played next to Chris Walby as a right guard for seven years,” Miller said. “He should get an award for that alone.”

Neither Helton nor Molle were on-hand for the induction press conference.

Meanwhile, Irving has called Bomber games since 1974. Irving has been previously inducted to the Football Reporters of Canada wing of the CFL Hall of Fame, was given the Order of Manitoba and is a member of the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour.

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“In our line of work, you never expect anything like this to happen,” Irving said. “I’m so flattered and humbled that the football club would feel the work I’ve done over the years has, somehow, earned me this honour.

Irving is a member of the committee that selects each hall of fame inductee, but wasn’t at the meeting where he was chosen.

“They’ve suggested it the last few years and I’ve always declined and said, ‘If you feel I’m worthy when I retire, that’s when you should consider me.'”

The Bombers also unveiled the Hall of Fame Walk outside Gate 1 at Investors Group Field. A series of signs list names of Blue Bomber hall of famers along the walk from Chancellor Matheson Road to the Bomber Store and Gate 1.

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca

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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