Football – Winnipeg Free Press

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) talk during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

McCarthy’s leadership comes with ease for Vikings, who face another back-on-track team in the Ravens

Dave Campbell, The Associated Press 5 minute read Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — J.J. McCarthy burst into Minnesota's locker room in Detroit last week in the afterglow of a critical victory for the Vikings, meeting his boisterously welcoming teammates with an enthusiasm and intensity that took the party for the visitors to an even higher level.

As coach Kevin O'Connell wrapped up his postgame speech, saving the last game ball for his young quarterback, McCarthy's expression turned menacing through the sweat-smudged thick black paint on his cheeks. After he accepted his award with a hug from the coach, McCarthy called the players in for one more huddle to implore them to pivot their focus forward.

“I just know to give him the football, deliver the message that I’d like to deliver, and then get the hell out of the way for my own personal safety in that moment,” O'Connell said.

For a 22-year-old player whose career is merely three games long, McCarthy sure seems to have the captaincy part down.

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Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland found dead of apparent suicide at 24 after evading officers, police say

The Associated Press 4 minute read Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Police in a Dallas suburb say 24-year-old Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland was found dead of an apparent suicide after evading authorities in his vehicle and fleeing the scene of an accident on foot.

Frisco police said Thursday they are investigating the possible suicide. They said Kneeland didn't stop for Texas Department of Public Safety troopers over a traffic violation in a chase that was joined by Frisco police on Wednesday night.

Authorities lost sight of the vehicle before locating it crashed minutes later. During the search after Kneeland fled the crash site on foot, officers said they received word that Kneeland might be suicidal. He was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound early Thursday morning, about three hours after the crash. Police didn't say where Kneeland's body was found.

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Main Street mural honours Winnipeg’s three-time Stanley Cup champions

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Main Street mural honours Winnipeg’s three-time Stanley Cup champions

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025

The city’s newest piece of artwork brought Dave Benson to tears.

His grandfather, Robert Benson, and the three-time Stanley Cup-winning Winnipeg Victorias (1896, 1901, and 1902) have received a long overdue acknowledgement with a four-story mural on the south wall of the Palomino Club at 436 Main St.

It was installed over a week ago, but officially introduced by the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame & Museum (MHHOF) on Wednesday with a press conference featuring several speakers, including Mayor Scott Gillingham.

“You come down Main Street from the south, and you see it from three or four blocks back. Especially this morning when the sun was shining, it was just gorgeous. I just feel absolute pride,” said an emotional Benson, 72.

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Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
The new Winnipeg Victorias mural was unveiled Wednesday at the Palomino Club.

Oliveira not ruling out trade after Bombers season ends short of Grey Cup

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Oliveira not ruling out trade after Bombers season ends short of Grey Cup

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025

Let’s cut to the chase.

Does Brady Oliveira want to re-sign with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers?

“I have nothing but good things to say about my time here, and would I love to be back? Absolutely, but I think I owe it to myself to sit down with my agent and OTG Sports (Management) and to talk to my family and kind of see what the best scenario and situation is for me,” Oliveira told reporters in his end of season press conference at Princess Auto Stadium on Tuesday.

“I know what I can bring and I know I’m a calibre player that can help a team win a championship, so I want to put myself in the best situation to win a championship. This is why I play this game. I don’t play it for none of the awards or any of that stuff, I play it to win a Grey Cup. So I’m going to put myself in the best situation.”

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Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira (right) said Tuesday he has nothing but good things to say about playing for his hometown club, but that he owes it to himself to find the best place to win another Grey Cup.

Bombers confident they can hand Als QB Alexander his first loss

Taylor Allen 8 minute read Preview

Bombers confident they can hand Als QB Alexander his first loss

Taylor Allen 8 minute read Friday, Oct. 31, 2025

MONTREAL — Why not us?

That’s the motto for a Winnipeg Blue Bombers side who is trying to defy the odds this post-season and make it back home for the Grey Cup as a crossover team.

It all starts in Montreal Saturday (1 p.m. CT kickoff) where they must find a way to outlast an extremely talented Alouettes team in the East Division semifinal to keep the dream alive.

“It’s the same mindset no matter how you get to it. It’s been a tough season. It’s a tough conference in the West with the teams that we’ve played,” said Bombers defensive end Willie Jefferson on Friday.

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Friday, Oct. 31, 2025

Nick Iwanyshyn / THE CANADIAN PRESS files
Bombers running back Brady Oliveira was a force to be reckoned with when the Big Blue faced Montreal in Week 12.

Bombers, Als exchange words, but game will be decided on the field

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Bombers, Als exchange words, but game will be decided on the field

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Friday, Oct. 31, 2025

MONTREAL — Davis Alexander has a message for Willie Jefferson and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

“Bring Willie over. Bring Winnipeg over. What does he say? Come on down over to Winnipeg? Come on over to Montreal. Let’s see what happens,” said the Montreal Alouettes quarterback in Friday’s media availability at Olympic Stadium.

Everyone will see exactly what happens Saturday when the Als host the Bombers in the East Division semifinal (1 p.m. CT kickoff) at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium.

Winnipeg hasn’t been shy in voicing its confidence leading up to the game — even though history hasn’t been kind to crossover teams.

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Friday, Oct. 31, 2025

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS files
Willie Jefferson (left) and his Bombers cohorts will be looking to hand Als QB Davis Alexander his first loss in Saturday’s East Division semifinal.

Bombers’ Kramdi will have more than 20 family members in stands for East semifinal

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Bombers’ Kramdi will have more than 20 family members in stands for East semifinal

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025

It’s playoff football in Redha Kramdi’s hometown, and he’ll have 20-plus family members and friends in the crowd to cheer him on.

Surely, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers dime back must feel at least some pressure heading into Saturday’s East Division semifinal in Montreal against the Alouettes.

“It’s a game. I’ve been through so much in life that this is a privilege to be here,” said Kramdi earlier this week. “I would be a fool to be stressed or feel pressure about playing playoff football.”

As the son of Algerian immigrants, Kramdi learned at a young age what real pressure looks like. The family was situated in a rough area of Montreal and his parents worked two, sometimes three jobs to provide a better life for their four kids.

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Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS files
Redha Kramdi (right) grew up in Montreal as one of four children of hard-working immigrant parents.

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Bombers’ Vaval named Most Outstanding Rookie, Special Teams Player finalist

Taylor Allen 2 minute read Preview

Bombers’ Vaval named Most Outstanding Rookie, Special Teams Player finalist

Taylor Allen 2 minute read Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025

The accolades continue to pour in for Trey Vaval.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers return specialist was named the West Division’s representative for both the Most Outstanding Rookie and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player awards on Thursday.

Toronto Argonauts kicker Lirim Hajrullahu (special teams) and Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Devin Veresuk (rookie) are the finalists coming out of the East Division.

Vaval led the CFL in punt returns (75), punt return yards (957), missed field goal return yards (391), and return touchdowns (two on kickoffs, one via punt, and one missed field goal return). He also made four starts at cornerback this season where he recorded 21 defensive tackles and picked off a pass against Montreal on Aug. 21.

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Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Trey Vaval set a franchise record in September when he returned a 128-yard missed field goal for a touchdown against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Bombers’ D ready to make a difference

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Bombers’ D ready to make a difference

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025

You see it in hockey all the time when a hot goalie steals a playoff series.

What about football, can a stout defence do something similar at the most important time of year?

“Oh, guaranteed. We feel like we can change the game,” said Blue Bombers linebacker Tony Jones after Tuesday’s practice at Princess Auto Stadium.

“We got the guys to go out there and force a fumble or get an interception. We just feel as a defence we can get the ball back a lot more times to our offence to go help them get more points if they are struggling.”

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Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press
Tony Jones says the Bombers defence can change a game.

Bombers embracing dark horse role in post-season

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Bombers embracing dark horse role in post-season

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are well aware history isn’t on their side.

There’s been 12 crossover teams in CFL history dating back to 1997 and none have made it to the Grey Cup, let alone win it.

The Blue and Gold (10-8) are hoping No. 13 proves to be lucky as their fourth-place finish in the West Division sends them to Montreal on Saturday for the Eastern semifinal (1 p.m. CT kickoff) against the Alouettes (10-8).

“I find that very intriguing and very motivating for us to be the first,” said running back Brady Oliveira after Tuesday’s practice.

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Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025

Ruth Bonneville / FREE PRESS
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are anything but the average underdog in this year’s playoffs, with five straight Grey Cup appearances under their belt.

Survey says… Bombers O-lineman appears on Family Feud

Taylor Allen 4 minute read Preview

Survey says… Bombers O-lineman appears on Family Feud

Taylor Allen 4 minute read Friday, Oct. 24, 2025

What’s more nerve-wracking: playing pro football in front of 30,000-plus fans or being put on the spot by Steve Harvey on one of television’s most iconic game shows?

That’s a question only Blue Bombers offensive lineman Asotui Eli can answer.

Eli and his wife Tiana’s family participated in Family Feud in February and their two episodes finally aired earlier this week.

“It’s a different kind of atmosphere, but I’d say they’re similar. I’d say Family Feud challenged me a little more mentally,” said Eli following Friday’s walkthrough.

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Friday, Oct. 24, 2025

YOUTUBE
Bombers offensive lineman Tui Eli (left) recently appeared on an episode of Family Feud with Steve Harvey.

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.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers unveiled their team award winners early Wednesday and the fourth-year defensive back was voted the Most Outstanding Defensive Player for the first time in his career.

Votes are cast by four local members of the Football Reporters of Canada and head coach Mike O’Shea.

“I’m not the biggest fan of media and cameras and stuff,” said Holm while speaking to reporters after Wednesday’s closed practice.

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Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

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 7 minute read Preview

A lot on the line in CFL’s final week

Jeff Hamilton 7 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.

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Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

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

Demski expected to be ready for playoffs

Taylor Allen 2 minute read Preview

Demski expected to be ready for playoffs

Taylor Allen 2 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are expecting a much-needed boost for the post-season.

Head coach Mike O’Shea revealed to reporters after Tuesday’s practice that the team anticipates star receiver Nic Demski (hamstring) will be ready to go two weeks from now when they’re on the road for the West or East semifinal.

Demski pulled up lame on a deep pass attempt in Oct. 11’s 25-20 loss in Edmonton and went on to miss last week’s 17-16 win over Saskatchewan.

O’Shea said Demski, who has been a non-participant at practice this week, won’t play in Saturday’s regular season finale against Montreal.

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Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025

Heywood Yu / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers anticipate injured receiver Nic Demski will be able to play in two weeks time when the team is playing in the division semifinal.

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

Jeff Hamilton 6 minute read Preview

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

Jeff Hamilton 6 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.

The Bombers have set the standard for consistency in recent years, appearing in the championship game the last five seasons and hoisting the trophy twice. As they chase a sixth consecutive Grey Cup appearance, the Blue and Gold have been anything but their usual selves; their struggling play this year is leading to more questions than answers.

The biggest question: Can the Bombers flip the switch in time to make a serious push for the Grey Cup, a game that is happening in their own backyard?

“We still have time,” Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said following Monday’s rain-filled practice. “There’s enough time.”

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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.

Bombers avoid major upset as Castillo nails walk-off field goal against Roughriders’ second-stringers

Joshua Frey-Sam 7 minute read Preview

Bombers avoid major upset as Castillo nails walk-off field goal against Roughriders’ second-stringers

Joshua Frey-Sam 7 minute read Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers earned nothing in the way of style points but can say they got the job done.

The Bombers were presented with a rare gift by their prairie rival Saskatchewan Roughriders — who rested multiple starters on both sides of the ball and played their backup and third-string quarterbacks with the No. 1 seed in the West Division locked up. Despite the threat of a major upset for most of the contest, the Bombers found a way to capitalize on a golden opportunity in a 17-16 victory, in front of a 13th consecutive sellout crowd at Princess Auto Stadium on Friday.

The victory alone doesn’t secure Winnipeg’s seat in the CFL playoffs, but it does put the club in a prime position to reach the post-season for the ninth consecutive year. A loss by the Edmonton Elks — who, at the time of writing, were playing the B.C. Lions — or a win by the Calgary Stampeders (hosting the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday) would do the trick.

The Bombers (9-8) were plagued by a stagnant offence and several miscues for much of the game, but a 22-yard field goal by Sergio Castillo as time expired erased what was an otherwise unimpressive performance from the club.

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Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

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