Answers to the questions

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/10/2008 (6417 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Will you & Khari be doing a signing session anytime before the season is over?Comment by nicoleb — October 21, 2008 @ 11:00 am

No plans for me and Khari to do a session this season. He currently lives in Calgary so it’s difficult for us to connect unless something is planned out in advance.

Hi Milt,Just wondering if your jersey number has any significance to you or did you take whatever they handed to you? No doubt there will never be another 85 after you!Thanks for responding and good luck this year!MikeComment by mjpwilliams — October 21, 2008 @ 11:17 am

Thanks for the question Mike. I did select the number 85 as it was one of the available numbers when I arrived. I was hoping to play until the age of 85, so I thought it was a good choice. Thank you for wishing us good luck!

Hi Milt,Have you ever considered coaching in the future?Thanks and Good Luck!PS – You will always be the best and most good looking player on the Bombers! Thank you for returning for another season! =)Comment by cdndanceteacher — October 21, 2008 @ 11:25 am

I try to never say never but coaching is such a time consuming occupation so it’s probably not something I would embark on in the future. I feel like I have been away from my family quite enough over the years and I look forward to spending more time with them after football. But never say never. Thanks for the compliments, I take my play on the field and my good looks quite seriously 😉

Hi Milt, just wondering, I know you guys watch alot of tape, but just something i’ve been noticing from the armchair QB position, Every time Kevin calls a pass play rolling out to his left, the pass is either picked, or off target and usually underthrown. I know that it’s a tough pass, but every time I see the blocking moving left I kinda close my eyes and pray.Has that ever come up in the offensive meetings?Comment by dturner — October 21, 2008 @ 12:50 pm

Well, there is a lot to be said about your question. I don’t think what you said is quite true, as there have been times that Kevin has completed passes rolling out to his left. I can’t recall anytime that this has been mentioned in the meetings where I am in attendance. That said, Kevin attends meetings with the offensive coordinator and perhaps they have discussed the level of difficulty.

Hi Milt,I’m wondering what do you think, do we need a new stadium?Thanks for all the great moments over the years!HC85Comment by HC85 — October 21, 2008 @ 1:12 pm

A new stadium would be nice but I understand that given the level of funding needed, it is not as easy as it may seem. The way discussions have been going it is difficult to tell whether or not it will happen. If it does happen I will be back for the grand opening of the Milt “Good Looking” Stegall Stadium ;-).

Hey Milt,Has there ever been any thought toward auctioning off some of your game worn or game issued gear (jerseys, gloves, etc)with the proceeds going to a charity of your choice?I’m sure there would be lots of interest and would help out a good cause.Thanks and all the best.DanComment by dperrin — October 21, 2008 @ 1:12 pm

Hey Dan. I have donated items to be used towards charity auctions in the past. Not sure if you’ve noticed this or not, but every since the beginning of last year anytime that I score a touchdown my jersey is changed. Some of these jerseys will definitely be donated to charity in the future.

Milt,What are the chances of you coaching for the Bombers one day? You are such a positive influence both on the team and the community that you would be a fantastic person to have stick around. Would you give it some thought if it were offered to you?Comment by kgarnett — October 21, 2008 @ 3:21 pm

Please see my comments about coaching above. I hope that answers your question.

Hey Milt,Both my kids are huge fans of yours and both play football themselves and they look up to you as a player on and off the field.My kids would like to know what it feels like to be the leader in the CFL for all-time touchdowns and receiving yards?As a parent that is deeply involved in the football community, I understand the time and dedication it takes to be an amateur player and can only imagine the time that you dedicate to being a professional.Congratulations on all of your achievements and good luck with the rest of the season. We’ll be cheering for you and the Bombers all the way!!!Comment by mrsace — October 21, 2008 @ 4:05 pm

First of all please tell your kids thanks for being such great fans and thank you all for continuing to cheer us on! As for how it feels to have broken the records, it was a great feeling but something that I know I couldn’t have accomplished alone. A lot of people along the way including teammates, coaches, friends, family, my beautiful wife and kids that helped me achieve such a great feat. It is pretty overwhelming, particularly the touchdown record because it was done in front of the home crowd. But even the receiving yardage record was amazing because of the outpour from the fans in Toronto because it was completely unexpected.

Hi Milt.Have you every thought about coaching after your playing days are done. It would be terrific to have you on the sidelines coaching for the Blue and Gold. You have made us extremely proud to be Bomber Fans. You are a wonderful embassador!! Do you still make public speaking engagemen? I had the opportunity to hear you speak at a BBQ in Brandon in 1996, before you made it BIG in the CFL. It was great! Who would have known back then that you would really become a STAR in the league!!!You are one in a million! Will be cheering for you guys!!!Brenda G.Comment by brandonbomberfan — October 21, 2008 @ 7:28 pm

Thanks Brenda, I can feel your enthusiasm through your questions! I really appreciate you being such a great fan and giving me such great compliments. As for coaching, please see my comments above. I still do speaking engagements and enjoy the opportunity to speak to people about more than just football. I consider it a privilege to be able to meet with so many people who support the Bombers year after year.

CHOCOLATE MILTyou can always make me laugh out loud with some of the things you say that i read in the paper or see on tv (like your banjo skills). i always belive in you boys through the good and bad, it’s gotta mean something if you’re 6-10 and in the playoffs right?my question is since you’ve been in winnipeg for allll these years (it wouldn’t be right if you were anywhere else), what are your top five favorite things about this grand ol’ city of ours..hope 5 things is even possible hahaComment by larissa — October 21, 2008 @ 8:12 pm

These are no particular order. The Forks, The Mol Sculpture Garden in Assiniboine Park, The Friendly People & The Blue Bomber Fans, Milt Stegall Drive (smile) and the slow yellow lights.

Oh boo! Am I number 11?My question is, if this is your last season with the Bombers (and I of course hope it isn’t), when will we see you again? It’s one thing for us to let your family have you over the offseason, but at least then we know you’ll be back!Seriously, I would love to see you return as one of the offensive coaches. you ARE a Winnipegger and will always be welcome in “your” hometown. A big thank you to your beautiful and patient wife and children for graciously sharing you with us for all these years and a big thank you to you for being the gentleman and leader you are. GO BIG BLUE!!Comment by Lals — October 21, 2008 @ 9:08 pm

Winnipeg will always have a special place in our hearts. I’ve made some great friends and truly care about the people of Winnipeg. I know we will stay connected to the city and even after retirement, we will continue to visit. Thank you for the kind words towards me and my family, it means a lot.

Hey Milt,First I need to thank you for signing my #85 Jersey for me while I was away at University (Moe Elewonibi actually brought you the jersey to sign for me). Secondly, thanks for taking care of a fellow Windsor Lancer! I don’t play Lancer Football (yea, I’m a good ‘ol Canadian Curler), but I started out university watching Arjei and Darryl Stephenson rip up the field!Anyways, I was wondering about some receiver patterns. It may be that I’m usually only looking at the receiver the play is going to, but I haven’t seen a lot of wheel routes where Kevin floats it up there on a nice high arc and drops it in the bread basket for one of you guys. It’s a lot of underneath/crossing patterns, and a few intermediates. Are we just looking for the higher percentage completion, or are the defenses just playing such soft/drop back zone?Thanks-Jeremy Toll…Go Blue & Gold (Bombers AND Lancers!)Comment by WindsorLancer — October 22, 2008 @ 7:18 am

Go Lancers! Any friend of Arjei’s is a friend of mine. As for the question about patterns, as an offensive unit we try to take what the defense gives us. I know that there are times when the wheel route is called but I think it’s pretty safe to say that either the wheel route was covered or the quarterback read was to throw it to another route.

Considering the current economic situation in both North America as well as elsewhere, do you favour tax cuts for corporations and producers (the “trickle-down” approach), or rather middle-class tax relief that might stimulate the economy through retail action?(Why just ask about football, people?)Comment by gfinockio — October 22, 2008 @ 12:22 pm

I am actually in favor of tax-cuts for all the above. I’m in support of tax-cuts for the middle-class because it helps people provide for their families, educate their children, get adequate health care, etc. These people need the cuts. That said, I’m also in favor of tax-cuts for corporations that provide jobs to those middle-class folks I was just talking about. I’m not in favor of tax-cuts that are more like loopholes. Where extremely wealthy individuals and corporations avoid paying their fair share of taxes due to tax loopholes created for the rich by the rich. Go Obama!

Will you be doing any speaking engagements in the near future?Comment by dum — October 22, 2008 @ 8:42 pm

I’ve actually been doing a lot of speaking engagements this season but none are on the horizon as the season winds down.

I have a question for you Milt. What do you think of a league where you can be 6 – 10 and be in second place with that kind of record. Is the league in good shape or is it the playoff structure.My son’s hockey team 12 year olds, doesnt matter the record as every team makes the playoffs, would you not say the CFL is almost at that point?Just asking – you asked to be askedTake careComment by jjjayjjjay — October 23, 2008 @ 1:56 pm

I didn’t create the rules, I just play by them. The format is for the best six teams to make the playoffs and since we are one of those teams, I am not complaining about the format. Just answering – you asked to be answered.

Hi Milt, First of all I’d like to say Thank You for sticking with the Blue Bombers for your entire CFL career. It’s been a bumpy ride as we all know and we really hope you get that Grey Cup Ring that you so rightfully deserve. We feel blessed to have the BEST reciever in CFL history on our team. The fans love you and you’ve done so much for the club and the city. My question for you is plain and simple and probably totally irrelivent but I’ll ask it anyway just to see your answer. I was wondering why you always wear long sleeves while you’re playing? In the fall it’s self explanitory but I noticed that you always play with long sleeves whethter it’s summer or you’re playing indoors. (You did say to ask questions that you were afraid to ask). Can’t wait to see you get that ring in November! Hope to get my Stegall jersey signed before you go back to the states….GO BLUE!Comment by Defence21 — October 23, 2008 @ 3:29 pm

Thanks for the kind words, I feel blessed to have played for the same organization my entire CFL career and to play in a city with great fans like you. As for the long sleeves, it’s obvious why I would want to wear them in the Fall but as you noticed I also wear them in the warmer months. I originally liked to do it because I wanted to keep my muscles warm to stay loose. Now I think it may be a bit of an idiosyncrasy, because I feel so strange without sleeves on now when I play.

Thanks for all the questions.God Bless.Milt.