Alouettes’ Philpot looks to replicate 2023 Grey Cup impact

The last time Tyson Philpot was in this spot, he left a champion and a hero.

It’s a day that Winnipeg Blue Bombers fans would rather forget, but it’s hard to erase the image of Philpot coralling a touchdown that gave the Montreal Alouettes the lead (and the win soon after) with 11 seconds remaining in the 110th Grey Cup.

The catch, made by a 23-year-old, second-year pro, stymied the Bombers from reaching dynasty status for the second year in a row.

It also elevated the Delta, B.C. product to prominence. He was named the Grey Cup’s Most Valuable Canadian on that night and, two years later, Philpot, now 25, is regarded as one of the brightest homegrown talents in the CFL.

“Obviously, I was a little battle-tested that year and dealing with some injuries and stuff like that. I was still coming into my own, not to say I’m not doing that still, but I think I have a different presence, just a different feeling when I get on that field — I want to go dominate, I want to send that guy across from me home and let him know who I am,” said Philpot, who enjoyed a career year in 2025, hauling in 61 passes for 804 yards and five touchdowns.

Indeed, the catch gave Philpot a shot of confidence that any young player would happily roll up their sleeve for, but he’s since been more worried about passes he couldn’t haul in for his team.

“Obviously, there was a lot of media attention and stuff that came from that last game, but just staying level-headed. I’m super grateful, too, thinking about where I was at this point last year,” he said.

After beginning 2024 on a torrent pace, a Lisfranc fracture in his right foot ended Philpot’s season after just nine games. He opted to also undergo ankle surgery to repair a bone spur and spent the next five months on a knee scooter and eight months in total recovering.

The Alouettes still put together a strong campaign, finishing first in the East Division during the regular season, but fell short of reaching a second straight Grey Cup after losing in the Eastern final.

The oft-injured receiver, who has missed 20 games to ailments over the last three seasons, has admittedly struggled to stay positive at certain points while on the shelf, questioning whether he would ever impact the game again like he did on that cold November night in Hamilton two years ago — but that has only made his return to the Grey Cup sweeter.

“I wasn’t able to help my team get to this point, so I’ve kind of been grateful for that,” Philpot said. “That’s something that I thought about after we won the (2025) East final — the rehab I went through to get myself to the position that I am now. So just being grateful for it all, and soaking it all in.”

That game-winning catch not only heightened Philpot’s confidence, but it also transformed who he’s become away from the field. In 2023, he was the one seeking direction from the other veterans ahead of the big game. Now, he’s the one explaining to younger players what it takes to leave Winnipeg with a trophy.

“I know the confidence has always been there, but when you make plays when they matter the most, in big-time games, it has to elevate everything in your life,” said head coach Jason Maas.

“You know so many things you’re capable of, but none of that happens by wanting to do it; it happens by doing it and doing it on a day-to-day basis. So all that prep work that goes into Tyson running routes, to training, to being prepared, all that matters, and I think once you see the fruit of that, I think you get kind of addicted to that.”

Philpot will attempt to capture a second Grey Cup when the Alouettes face the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Princess Auto Stadium on Sunday.

Could anything this weekend possibly top a game-winning catch?

“I think what would top that is a butt whooping,” Philpot said with a laugh. “Handle the game, not let it come down to that, ease the heart a little bit and just make the game a little bit more special. But, at the end of the day, if it has to come down to a play like that, I’m glad that I’ve been there before, I’ve done it.”

As for how long he replayed his historic grab in his mind, Philpot only recently allowed himself to move on. He called it the highlight of his career.

“Probably until this year, it was still a big thought of mine, obviously, with being hurt last year and that kind of stuff. But I think after this last Eastern final, with the East semi — I had a great game, too — I’ve kind of been able to put it on the back shelf now,” Philpot said.

“I want to create that new history, that new play for Montreal people to think about and have close to their heart like that one.”

joshua.frey-sam@freepress.mb.ca

X: @jfreysam