The last time a Canadian Football League franchise managed to win three consecutive Grey Cup Championships was way back in 1980 when the powerhouse Edmonton Eskimos turned the trick with Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon at the helm. And, as if to underscore their hold on the moniker of a dynasty, that particular version of green and gold wasn’t quite satisfied with just the impressive three-peat as they tacked on two more to finish with five consecutive titles from 1978 to 1982. I’ll throw out a few names just to add some context to the kind of team they were putting out on the field. How about fullback Neil Lumsden, receiver Tom Scott, kicker Hank Ilesac, and monster defender Dan Kepley? And that’s, as they say, just to name a few.
Now, as the 2022 CFL season kicks off with the 109th Grey Cup game on the November horizon, it’s the Winnipeg Blue Bombers who are in the spotlight, on the cusp of a three-peat of their own having taken out the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in two consecutive championship matches. On paper, there’s nothing holding them back either, as they welcome back the meatiest parts of last year’s roster. Future Hall of Famer Andrew Harris bolted to the Argos and a couple of good receivers found homes elsewhere, but the Bombers have depth on offence and quarterback Zack Collaros is the reigning Most Outstanding Player. Plus, Winnipeg wins most games with their defence anyhow, and on that side of the ball, it’s pretty much the same squad that has terrorized teams for several years now, led by Adam Bighill and Willie Jefferson.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders may have something to say about all of this, by the way. They’ve been right there with the Blue Bombers every snap of the last two seasons and the Roughies have the extra incentive of hosting the Grey Cup this time around. The other three Western teams have bolstered their lineups in various capacities as well, so it won’t be easy for Winnipeg to even get out of the West Division before facing the best of the East in the Final. But hey, if it was easy every team would do it, right?
And who knows? If Winnipeg does manage to win it all again to snatch that elusive three-peat, you know that Blue Bomber fans and management are going to have that incredible Warren Moon-led Edmonton dynasty of the 70s and 80s directly in their collective sights.
Four in a row? Five? How about six? Might as well ‘shoot for the Moon.’
You can hear the 2022 CFL season on SiriusXM Canada Talks. Visit the schedule to see when games are airing.
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