Advertisement

Learn more about Winnipeg Free Press Advertising solutions

CFL Grey Cup Winnipeg 112 Official Partner of the 2025 Grey Cup Festival

Grey Cup

Blue Bombers drumline member Kaitlyn Childs, 23, has fun while playing a snare drum during the game between the Blue Bombers and visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders at Princess Auto Stadiumon Oct. 17. (Brook Jones / Free Press)

Percussionists plenty proud to pound out rhythm at Blue Bomber games

David Sanderson 9 minute read Yesterday at 11:40 AM CDT

Related

There are few things Andrew Smith enjoys more in life than drumming and football.

The 35-year-old Winnipeg school teacher took up the drums at age 12, around the same time he began pulling for his hometown Blue Bombers.

Imagine Smith’s reaction, then, 11 years ago when he showed up for his weekly advanced drum lesson and was told by his instructor that the Bombers were hoping to introduce a drumline — a battery of percussionists most often associated with high school and university marching bands — to the game-day experience.

It got better. His teacher, who had been tasked with helping to form the ensemble, wanted to know if Smith was interested in signing on.

Advertisement

Advertise With Us

Weather

Oct. 25, 6 PM: 13°c Partly cloudy with wind Oct. 26, 12 AM: 12°c Cloudy with wind

Winnipeg MB

12°C, Windy

Full Forecast

Humble Holm deflects defensive accolades

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Humble Holm deflects defensive accolades

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

It pained Evan Holm to be in the spotlight over a personal accolade.

Read
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

NIC ADAM / FREE PRESS FILES

Evan Holm was named the Blue Bombers defensive player of the year on Wednesday.
NIC ADAM / FREE PRESS FILES Evan Holm was named the Blue Bombers defensive player of the year on Wednesday.

A lot on the line in CFL’s final week

Jeff Hamilton 8 minute read Preview

A lot on the line in CFL’s final week

Jeff Hamilton 8 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

With only one week left in the CFL regular season, there’s still plenty to figure out before the playoffs begin.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are the only club in the league that heads into Week 21 knowing its fate. At 12-5, win or lose this week, the Riders will finish with the league’s best record and atop the West Division.

We already know the other five teams joining Saskatchewan in the post-season, but we don’t know where they’ll end up. That includes figuring out which West team will be crossing over to the East Division.

While there are several different ways this weekend could unfold, it’s best to start with the teams that control their own destiny.

Read
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

Spencer Colby / THE CANADIAN PRESS files

Edmonton quarterback Cody Fajardo was key to the Elks turnaround this season.
Spencer Colby / THE CANADIAN PRESS files Edmonton quarterback Cody Fajardo was key to the Elks turnaround this season.

Oliveira to face stiff competition from Rourke for CFL top player, Canadian awards

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Oliveira to face stiff competition from Rourke for CFL top player, Canadian awards

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025

TORONTO - Brady Oliveira will have a chance to defend his CFL outstanding player and top Canadian honours.

The Winnipeg running back was the Blue Bombers' nominee for both awards Wednesday. Voting was conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada and nine CFL head coaches.

Oliveira claimed both awards last year in helping Winnipeg make a fifth straight Grey Cup appearance.

Oliveira, 28, of Winnipeg, has rushed for 1,163 yards (5.8-yard average) to stand fourth overall in the CFL He has also run for three TDs and is tied for the league lead in 100-yard games (four).

Read
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025

CHRISTOPHER KATSAROV / THE CANADIAN PRESS

Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira had a breakout performance against the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday, racking up a team-leading 200 total yards from scrimmage.
Christopher Katsarov / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira had a breakout performance against the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday, racking up a team-leading 200 total yards from scrimmage.

Bombers ready to dig deep in pursuit of sixth consecutive Grey Cup appearance

Jeff Hamilton 7 minute read Preview

Bombers ready to dig deep in pursuit of sixth consecutive Grey Cup appearance

Jeff Hamilton 7 minute read Monday, Oct. 20, 2025

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers know better than any team in the CFL what it takes at this time of year to make it to the Grey Cup.

Read
Monday, Oct. 20, 2025

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS

Winnipeg QB Zach Collaros (right) hands off to Brady Oliveira during the Bombers victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday.
John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg QB Zach Collaros (right) hands off to Brady Oliveira during the Bombers victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday.

Alouettes announce extensions for GM Danny Maciocia, head coach Jason Maas

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Alouettes announce extensions for GM Danny Maciocia, head coach Jason Maas

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025

MONTREAL - The Montreal Alouettes gave general manager Danny Maciocia and head coach Jason Maas two-year contract extensions Monday.

Maciocia, who also serves as Montreal's senior vice-president of football operations, remains under contract with the CFL club through the 2029 season while Maas's new deal takes him through the '28 campaign.

Montreal (10-7) enters the final week of the CFL regular season tied with Hamilton atop the East Division. But the Tiger-Cats can clinch home field for the East final Nov. 8 with a home win Friday night over the Ottawa Redblacks.

Montreal finishes its regular season visiting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday.

Read
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025

Jason Maas, left, shakes hands with Montreal Alouettes General Manager Danny Maciocia in Montreal, Tuesday, December 20, 2022, following a news conference announcing him as new head coach of the team. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Jason Maas, left, shakes hands with Montreal Alouettes General Manager Danny Maciocia in Montreal, Tuesday, December 20, 2022, following a news conference announcing him as new head coach of the team. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Dedrick Mills rushes for 115 yards, Stampeders trample Argonauts 44-13

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Dedrick Mills rushes for 115 yards, Stampeders trample Argonauts 44-13

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025

CALGARY - The Calgary Stampeders have a CFL playoff berth in the bag with more to play for in the final week of the regular season.

After a 44-13 romp over the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday, the Stampeders were still in contention to host that playoff game at McMahon Stadium, but require some help.

Calgary (10-7) needs to beat the Edmonton Elks on Friday and the Saskatchewan Roughriders to defeat the B.C. Lions (10-7) the following day for the Stampeders to secure second in the West Division and get the division semifinal at home Nov. 1.

The Lions hold the tiebreaker after going 2-0 against Calgary in the regular season.

Read
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025

Toronto Argonauts' Da'Marcus Johnson, centre, closes in on Calgary Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. during first half CFL football action in Calgary, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Toronto Argonauts' Da'Marcus Johnson, centre, closes in on Calgary Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. during first half CFL football action in Calgary, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

CFL Standings

West Division

RK Team GP W L T PTS F A Home Away DIV
1 SASKATCHEWAN y 17 12 5 0 24 451 382 6-2-0 6-3-0 5-4-0
2 BC x 17 10 7 0 20 532 478 6-3-0 4-4-0 5-4-0
3 CALGARY x 17 10 7 0 20 468 406 6-3-0 4-4-0 6-3-0
4 WINNIPEG x 17 9 8 0 18 440 414 6-2-0 3-6-0 4-6-0
5 EDMONTON 17 7 10 0 14 412 470 5-3-0 2-7-0 3-6-0

East Division

RK Team GP W L T PTS F A Home Away DIV
1 HAMILTON x 17 10 7 0 20 490 481 4-4-0 6-3-0 6-1-0
2 MONTREAL x 17 10 7 0 20 435 411 4-5-0 6-2-0 6-2-0
3 TORONTO 18 5 13 0 10 497 583 3-6-0 2-7-0 2-6-0
4 OTTAWA 17 4 13 0 8 402 502 2-7-0 2-6-0 1-6-0

y - Clinched Division

x - Clinched Playoff Berth

c - Clinched Crossover

LOAD MORE