Walby best hog ever

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This article was published 27/09/2014 (4084 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Chris Walby walked the CFL field like a giant, but says he never walked alone.

Walby was chosen as the top offensive lineman by voters taking part in the Winnipeg Free Press/TSN 1290 All-Time Bombers Team selection process.

“This is humbling. Yes, there’s a sense of pride in being named to this,” said Walby. “But I’ll tell you, the offensive line is all about being part of a unit and I was part of some great ones. To be named among these players — Frank Rigney, Buddy Tinsley, Cornell Piper and my former teammate, John Bonk — just to be on the list is an honour. And to be chosen as one of the best, well, it really is humbling.”

Voting began Monday and fans were given the choice of five linemen as chosen by the All-Time Blue Bombers Team panel, comprising legendary coach Bud Grant, former player and GM Paul Robson, Hall of Fame football writer Ed Tait, Andrew (Hustler) Paterson from TSN 1290 and myself.

A nine-time All-Canadian, Walby is arguably the greatest offensive lineman in CFL history. Playing at 6-7 and 340 pounds, he was twice named the league’s top O-lineman, in 1987 and 1993.

Walby had a mixture of power and finesse rarely seen in the CFL and he led a group that won three Grey Cups and was consistently near the top of the CFL in rushing.

“That’s one of the things I’m most proud of. We were always able to run the ball. When it was cold and we needed to rely on the run, we could do it,” recalled Walby.

Walby singled out Val Belcher as a role model on the field.

“Val was such a technician. I used to watch him in practice and try to emulate him. He almost never got beat,” said Walby.

Winning any award is nice, but Walby said nothing compares to the Grey Cup victories he shared in.

“That’s why we played. To win. It was the greatest accomplishment to come together and be there on the last Sunday of the season and to get the job finished,” said Walby.

Next up is linebacker. The Free Press print and digital editions as well as www.tsn1290.ca will run stories on Monday outlining the careers of the finalists selected by our panel. Voting will take place on both websites.

Vote a maximum of once per day and help choose the Blue Bombers player you consider the best at the following positions, to be presented in this order: Quarterback, offensive lineman, linebacker, kicker, kick returner, running back, defensive lineman, defensive back and receiver.

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @garylawless