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Chris Young / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Montreal Alouettes receiver Tyson Philpot celebrates his game-winning touchdown in the 110th Grey Cup.

Alouettes’ Philpot looks to replicate 2023 Grey Cup impact

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

The last time Tyson Philpot was in this spot, he left a champion and a hero.

It’s a day that Winnipeg Blue Bombers fans would rather forget, but it’s hard to erase the image of Philpot coralling a touchdown that gave the Montreal Alouettes the lead (and the win soon after) with 11 seconds remaining in the 110th Grey Cup.

The catch, made by a 23-year-old, second-year pro, stymied the Bombers from reaching dynasty status for the second year in a row.

It also elevated the Delta, B.C. product to prominence. He was named the Grey Cup’s Most Valuable Canadian on that night and, two years later, Philpot, now 25, is regarded as one of the brightest homegrown talents in the CFL.

Manitoba Open

Long week of rehab for Alouettes’ Alexander

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Preview

Long week of rehab for Alouettes’ Alexander

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

No limp. No restrictions. No problem?

Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander was a full-go as the club practised for the first time as a part of their Grey Cup preparations on Wednesday.

Dealing with a season-long hamstring injury that flared up in last week’s Eastern final, all eyes were on the star pivot as he went through drills at Princess Auto Stadium. Alexander, who, albeit, didn’t take off running at any point, looked comfortable while working from the pocket, stepping into short and deep throws as he normally does.

“Better than expected. I’ll tell you that — better than I expected, just because I think I’m finally not sore… from the Hamilton game. So that helps a little bit,” Alexander said. “I felt great. This is playoff football, and I’ll be ready to go.”

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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Frank Gunn / THE CANADIAN PRESS

Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander had seven carries in the Eastern final against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Frank Gunn / THE CANADIAN PRESS Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander had seven carries in the Eastern final against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Trevor Story declines to opt out, keeps contract with the Red Sox

The Associated Press 1 minute read Preview

Trevor Story declines to opt out, keeps contract with the Red Sox

The Associated Press 1 minute read Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025

BOSTON (AP) — Shortstop Trevor Story declined to exercise his right to opt out of his contract and is remaining with the Boston Red Sox.

Story agreed to a $140 million, six-year deal with Boston before the 2022 season and could have opted out, giving up $55 million in guaranteed money.

Instead, he kept $25 million salaries for 2026 and ’27, and a $25 million team option for 2028 with a $5 million buyout.

The two-time All-Star shortstop, who turns 33 on Nov. 15, played in 157 games, his most since 2018, and hit .263 with 25 homers and 96 RBIs.

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Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025

FILE - Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (10) throws during the fourth inning of Game 2 of an American League wild-card baseball playoff series, Oct. 1, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
FILE - Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (10) throws during the fourth inning of Game 2 of an American League wild-card baseball playoff series, Oct. 1, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

Veteran CFL QBs aging well

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Veteran CFL QBs aging well

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

It’s hard to believe the Toronto Argonauts once had Ricky Ray, Jarious Jackson, Zach Collaros and Trevor Harris all in their quarterback room in 2012.

If you ask Harris, it’s even harder to believe he and Collaros — who broke into the CFL that season together as rookies — are still in the three-down loop today slinging it.

“I remember our first year in the league, we (were leaving after the season) and Swayze Waters (the Argos kicker at the time) was like ‘Man, we’re never going to see Zach Collaros ever again,’” said Harris.

“Because he was ready to go home. He was like ‘I’m done, I’m ready to get out of here.’ And here he is all this time later. I thought he’d get into coaching a little bit sooner, but he’s really turned himself into a first ballot hall-of-famer. He’s been absolutely incredible.”

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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS

Riders QB Trevor Harris (above) broke into the CFL in 2012 with Bombers QB Zach Collaros.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Riders QB Trevor Harris (above) broke into the CFL in 2012 with Bombers QB Zach Collaros.

Riders O-lineman says playing in Winnipeg helped make him a man

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Preview

Riders O-lineman says playing in Winnipeg helped make him a man

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Peeking out of Jermarcus Hardrick’s Saskatchewan Roughriders Grey Cup hoodie on Wednesday was a tattoo that you wouldn’t expect to see on someone in green and white.

Displayed on his left forearm is the Grey Cup trophy, featuring the Winnipeg Blue Bombers logo and their unofficial mantra: FIFO — which stands for Fit in or F-off.

Hardrick, a standout right tackle for the Bombers from 2016-23, got inked shortly after Winnipeg captured the top prize in Canadian football in 2019. He wasn’t the only one.

“We literally got (to the tattoo parlour) at eight in the morning and we left by midnight. Every other hour a truck (with players) was pulling up… and next thing I know we looked up and everyone had blood on their arms,” said Hardrick during media day at the RBC Convention Centre.

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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025
Hardrick savours memories of Big Blue

Morrissey leads the Jets to 5-3 win over Canucks

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

Morrissey leads the Jets to 5-3 win over Canucks

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

VANCOUVER – Josh Morrissey took matters in his own hands.

With the Winnipeg Jets in the midst of a three-game losing streak, the top-pairing defenceman and alternate captain was the picture of calm after the morning skate.

While acknowledging that the Jets were working through some issues, Morrissey exuded a quiet confidence when laying out some thoughts on what needed to change for his team to get back on track.

“For us, we feel that there is another level — or multiple levels — to our game,” said Morrissey. “Obviously, we’ve got some new faces but we’re 15 games in now. Everyone should know the system and structure and be comfortable in it. So now, it’s about let’s get on the gas and let’s get playing here.

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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Winnipeg Jets’ Adam Lowry, front left to right, Nino Niederreiter and Alex Iafallo celebrate Niederreiter’s goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period of an NHL hockey game, in Vancouver, on Tuesday. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press)
Winnipeg Jets’ Adam Lowry, front left to right, Nino Niederreiter and Alex Iafallo celebrate Niederreiter’s goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period of an NHL hockey game, in Vancouver, on Tuesday. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press)

Fan outcry needed to curb leagues banking blood money

Jerrad Peters 5 minute read Preview

Fan outcry needed to curb leagues banking blood money

Jerrad Peters 5 minute read Friday, Nov. 7, 2025

What do the FA Cup, the NBA, the Tour de France and Sudan’s civil war have in common? They’re all being funded by the United Arab Emirates.

Unsurprisingly, the UAE acknowledges only three of these sponsorships. But its financing of the fourth is a widely-held matter of fact and, increasingly, a major problem for the sporting properties receiving its cash.

Last week, the humanitarian agency Refugees International renewed its call for the NBA to sever its relationship with Emirates — the airline owned by the UAE’s sovereign wealth fund. Emirates is the title sponsor of the annual NBA Cup.

It also holds the naming rights for a Tour cycling team and English football’s FA Cup, and its wordmark can be seen on the shirts of prominent clubs like Arsenal, AC Milan and Real Madrid.

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Friday, Nov. 7, 2025

Jon Super / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Emirates airlines’ wordmark can be seen on the shirts of prominent clubs — as seen on Real Madrid’s kit sported by Jude Bellingham in the clubs clash with Liverpool earlier this week.
Jon Super / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Emirates airlines’ wordmark can be seen on the shirts of prominent clubs — as seen on Real Madrid’s kit sported by Jude Bellingham in the clubs clash with Liverpool earlier this week.

Sports Editor's Picks

Winnipeg Free Press:

Special Coverage: CFL Grey Cup 112

Special Coverage: CFL Grey Cup 112

Mike McIntyre:

Lowry a leader in every sense of word

Winnipeg Jets’ Adam Lowry (17) celebrates as Kyle Connorís (not shown) shot sneaks through the pads of Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) for the winning goal in NHL overtime action in Winnipeg, Thursday, December 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Taylor Allen:

Sky’s the limit for ‘Double Gold’ MacDonald

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS sports - jiu jitsu fighter, Logan MacDonald What: Brazilian jiu jitsu fighter who recently won gold at an event in California. Family owns a BJJ gym in town. Photos of Logan with his dad, MATT MACDONALD, in their home gym. See Taylor's story Dec 13th, 2022

Mike Sawatzky:

Deadline deal pays off for Terriers

Scott Stroh photo Defenceman Hayden Lacquette has become a key cog in Portage’s attack.

Joshua Frey-Sam:

Bob Dyce never considered coaching as a career; now he’s a CFL boss

The way the Dyce roll

Mike Sawatzky:

Brennan makes the most of opportunities

SUPPLIED Lucas Brennan is known for his willing to do the work required to improve and be successful on the ice.

More Sports

David latest casualty of Juventus-level scrutiny

Jerrad Peters 6 minute read Preview

David latest casualty of Juventus-level scrutiny

Jerrad Peters 6 minute read Friday, Oct. 31, 2025

You can count on one hand the number of European clubs that face as much scrutiny as Juventus. Take Thursday’s hiring of new manager Luciano Spalletti, for example.

First, there are the rumours that he’ll soon arrive at the Continassa training ground. Then the details of his contract are leaked. A crowd of supporters gathers outside Continassa. Spalletti is expected to lead the day’s training. He arrives at Continassa.

Next he is shuttled to the J Medical facility — about 1.5 kilometres across the complex. He leaves J Medical after slightly more than an hour. He greets the fans. Damien Comolli, the club’s GM, is now in his car. Spalletti is shuttled back to Continassa. Turns out he will not lead training. His contract is confirmed. The assistants are named. A press conference is scheduled for Friday.

This has all taken place in a single afternoon, and not a gesture, chin stroke or smoothing of a suit has gone unanalyzed by numerous TV and radio stations, at least three sports dailies, the mainstream press, fan bloggers and minute-by-minute logs on social media.

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Friday, Oct. 31, 2025

Alberto Saiz / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES

Juventus forward Jonathan David reacts after missing a scoring chance during the Champions League opening phase match on Oct. 1 against Villarreal.
Alberto Saiz / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Juventus forward Jonathan David reacts after missing a scoring chance during the Champions League opening phase match on Oct. 1 against Villarreal.

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

Olympic dream on the horizon for history-making pair

Laurie Nealin 5 minute read Preview

Olympic dream on the horizon for history-making pair

Laurie Nealin 5 minute read Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025

SASKATOON — Two years ago, Canada’s pairs figure skating champions Deana Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps claimed their first Skate Canada International title, kick-starting a glorious season that culminated with world championship gold.

It was an historic win for Stellato-Dudek who, at 40, entered the sport’s record book as the oldest woman to win a world figure skating title.

This season, at 42, the tenacious athlete is poised to make Olympic history at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games in February.

“I’m really excited about it. It was something I wanted when I was young and I thought it was gone,” said the now three-time Canadian champion following their first 2025 Skate Canada practice.

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Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025

Charles Krupa / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES

Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps are looking to fourpeat gold at the Skate Canada International in Saskatoon.
Charles Krupa / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps are looking to fourpeat gold at the Skate Canada International in Saskatoon.

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