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Why isn't the Bombers #5 jersey retired?

Serious question, the guy had the misfortune of playing at the time of the greatest dynasty in CFL history and still won TWO MOP of the league awards in 80 and 81 during it's height. The team was actually ripped off IMO of a Grey Cup trip in 82 after they had the game won in the West Final in Edmonton save for a brutal official's call. Grey Cups are important but Milt never won one. It's that Zoo thing isn't it? OK semi serious ... but why?

Featured Replies

who?

 

I don't believe the franchise retires any numbers.

Bombers don't retire jerseys. Nor should they.    

the real question is why doesnt any one rock the 00? Harold nash had the best number ever. 

If for no other reason, that player is still in the league, and if he wins the Cup, he will be deified there.

Edited by tracker

3 hours ago, Dragon37 said:

I don't believe the franchise retires any numbers.

Not officially, but have you seen a player wearing number 11 or 85 recently?

  • Author
11 minutes ago, aalgernon said:

Not officially, but have you seen a player wearing number 11 or 85 recently?

Kind of offhandedly what i was referring to  and ... I thought my avy would give it away ;)

6 hours ago, BigBlue said:

who?

 

Dieter Brock. Best arm I have ever seen in the CFL.

Edited by J5V

5 hours ago, tracker said:

If for no other reason, that player is still in the league, and if he wins the Cup, he will be deified there.

You think Willy and the Als are winning the cup?

1 hour ago, J5V said:

Dieter Brock. Best arm I have ever seen in the CFL.

Aw, you gave it away.

An excerpt from a really good article by Ed Tait:

Quote

 

The Bombers haven’t formally retired numbers, but the following are officially no longer available to players:

11 – Worn by hall of famer Ken Ploen, the face of this franchise during his playing days from 1957-67 and later into his retirement. Ploen also wore 89, as did many players of that era who played both sides of the ball.

28 – Jeff Nicklin was a decorated Bomber from 1934-40 before becoming a decorated soldier in World War II, passing away on the battlefield in 1945. The winner of the Most Outstanding Player Award in the West Division is annually presented with the Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy.

75 – As a tribute to Tommy Lumsden, who played end, defensive end, tackle and guard for the Bombers from 1951-54 but passed away at the age of 25 in a Winnipeg hospital while suffering a gall bladder attack near Beausejour. The Tommy Lumsden Trophy is presented annually to the Bombers’ top Canadian player.

That information is passed down from one equipment manager to the next and Brad Fotty, who has been in the position since 1990, has since put Walby’s 63 and Stegall’s 85 out of commission. The same was done for Bob Cameron’s 6, but when the club signed quarterback Dominique Davis – who asked for that number – the hall of fame punter gave his thumbs up for it to be brought back.

Other numbers – like Doug Brown’s 97 or the 1 worn by Roberts – are not available for a few years after their retirement as a sign of respect, but with close to 90 players brought in annually to training camp, football teams simply can’t retire the numbers of all their greats.

 

https://www.bluebombers.com/blue-by-the-numbers/

Edited by Jacquie

  • Author
4 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Regardless, Leo Lewis's #29 should be retired. 

... and 85 and 63 and 5.

8 hours ago, Jacquie said:

An excerpt from a really good article by Ed Tait:

https://www.bluebombers.com/blue-by-the-numbers/

This is a good article. I have been getting autographs for over 12 years now and the only numbers of players I don't have are 28, 48, 73,75,76,78,79. This article explains 28 and 75. I guess the others just aren't popular numbers or there is a reason for them as well?

Two other Numbers I have but you don't see players wearing are 36 (Buddy Tinsley) and 72 (Mitch Zalnasky).

21 hours ago, IC Khari said:

... and 85 and 63 and 5.

Sure. Why not? But Tim Jesse?? ;)

 

I like players using numbers of former greats.  When they give that flash of greatness, it reminds me of the great times.

 

Keep retiring numbers and soon your team resembles the modern day Canadiens, 42 passes to 67 and now to 56.  

 

On 9/25/2017 at 8:08 AM, Bomber_fanaddict said:

This is a good article. I have been getting autographs for over 12 years now and the only numbers of players I don't have are 28, 48, 73,75,76,78,79. This article explains 28 and 75. I guess the others just aren't popular numbers or there is a reason for them as well?

Two other Numbers I have but you don't see players wearing are 36 (Buddy Tinsley) and 72 (Mitch Zalnasky).

Leo Ezerins wore 72 for us.

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