Blue Bombers Forum

Vote for your five favourite Blue Bomber running backs of all-time! Here are some options:

Fritzie Hanson
Gerry James
Leo Lewis
Charlie Shepard
Dave Raimey
Mack Herron
Jim(Jay) Washington
William Miller
Willard Reaves
Robert Mimbs
Blaise Bryant
Charles Roberts
Fred Reid
Andrew Harris
Other (Explain below.)

8)

Oh man, if only Charlie cared about keeping in shape....what could have been!

I went with Leo Lewis as he was the very first Bomber player I was introduced to. His Uncle in Des Moines Iowa introduced me to him when I delivered the Des Moines Register paper to his barber shop one Sat morning. I was about 11 or so at the time. I then had the pleasure of watching him play in the Grey Cup on his uncles black and white TV. The game was carried by the old ABC "Wide World of Sports" for those that remember that show. I can not remember the year but maybe 1961 or 1962? I still remember the day! And even though I ended up in Dallas Texas shortly thereafter I have always been a Bomber Fan since that day!

My first choice was Williard Reeves.He was unbelievably talented.I gave a vote for Lewis as well although he was a little before my time my parents have filled me in on how good he was.I left Roberts off my list because although he was quite talented he was never a good team guy and his attitude contributed towards the Bombers upset loss in the 2001 Grey Cup.

Charlie was my favorite but Jay Washington and Willard Reaves were also top notch RBs.  And Smack Heroin would have been on the list had he stayed around a while.

Tough call. I'm not sure how many posters are old enough to have seen all of these choices. Some were very good but had shorter Bomber careers. Different era's as well. I'm older so I did get to see all of them play.

Lewis
Raimey
Herron
A toss up order between Washington, Reaves and Roberts.  All different types of players. Different length of careers and style of play.

Can't really consider Harris in his 3rd year as a Bomber against some that played so much longer. Current favourite in the CFL even when he wasn't a Bomber.

Do you consider Sellers a RB ;)

Why is Bloi Dei Dorzon not an option?

He is. He's under "Other".

:-\

Another thing about Reaves that always impressed me. Taking his TD footballs and giving them to folks in the handicapped section. That was a classy act and I don't recall that being done as often by other players.

IIRC doesn't he / didn't he work as a police or corrections officer post football in the Winnipeg area?

My other is Mike Richardson

Friends bro in law who had an amazing year

I abstained because I?m just not old enough to have had a chance to appreciate most of those guys.

I will say that for as long as I have been a fan, I have never been as excited about a player as Andrew Harris. Normally when I get a player jersey they immediately suck and/or retire, but I got a 33 right away and his play has blown me away. Local kid who went through our system and proudly represents his home town. He gives me a lot of pride.

Quote from: blue_or_die on July 09, 2018, 11:12:34 PM
I abstained because I?m just not old enough to have had a chance to appreciate most of those guys.

I will say that for as long as I have been a fan, I have never been as excited about a player as Andrew Harris. Normally when I get a player jersey they immediately suck and/or retire, but I got a 33 right away and his play has blown me away. Local kid who went through our system and proudly represents his home town. He gives me a lot of pride.

Same here. The only great Blue Bomber RB I've had the chance to see is Charlie Roberts. While he was arguably the best on the list, I can't comment on the others.

Hopefully Harris can keep trucking on for long enough in the Blue and Gold jersey to get him higher on the list!

Quote from: BBRT on July 09, 2018, 09:03:42 PM
I went with Leo Lewis as he was the very first Bomber player I was introduced to. His Uncle in Des Moines Iowa introduced me to him when I delivered the Des Moines Register paper to his barber shop one Sat morning. I was about 11 or so at the time. I then had the pleasure of watching him play in the Grey Cup on his uncles black and white TV. The game was carried by the old ABC "Wide World of Sports" for those that remember that show. I can not remember the year but maybe 1961 or 1962? I still remember the day! And even though I ended up in Dallas Texas shortly thereafter I have always been a Bomber Fan since that day!

Cool story

I have lots of personnel run ins with Charles Roberts including catching him smoking in his car with his little girl in there with him, toughest autograph in the CFL adventures, etc...

But when he was traded to BC right after LDC that year and I the emotionally destroyed. Even my wife was like, Adam are you Ok what?s wrong? As I was sitting in front of the computer reading the news. I couldn?t help but be completely broken down. Then when he actually played for BC about 2-3 weeks later again I was visibly upset.

Ya he had his bad habits and quarks be he was one awesome little player.

Only time I was ever that upset about anything in pro sports.

He was awesome a couple years ago when he was inducted into the CFL Hall of game I took my daughter to get his autograph at the bomber store and I got a chuckle out of him about a story I?ll keep to myself. It was a priceless moment for me as well.

Even know his play was tapering off he was still explosive. We just had an endless streak of useless QBs and it was all on Milt and Blink.

Mike Richardson was my first RB fav though.

Quote from: BBRT on July 09, 2018, 09:03:42 PM
I went with Leo Lewis as he was the very first Bomber player I was introduced to. His Uncle in Des Moines Iowa introduced me to him when I delivered the Des Moines Register paper to his barber shop one Sat morning. I was about 11 or so at the time. I then had the pleasure of watching him play in the Grey Cup on his uncles black and white TV. The game was carried by the old ABC "Wide World of Sports" for those that remember that show. I can not remember the year but maybe 1961 or 1962? I still remember the day! And even though I ended up in Dallas Texas shortly thereafter I have always been a Bomber Fan since that day!

If you know a man from Winnipeg who worked nights on the Des Moines Register for many years would you please PM me.

I'm old enough to have seen them all except Mr. Hanson. There's a difference between best (talent-wise) and favorite. Of the running backs that I saw play, Leo Lewis was the best...hands down. If you want to argue with that, fine but you'll have to also disagree with Bud Grant. As for favorite, well that's in the eye of the beholder so it could be anyone from the list depending on your situation/circumstance. I'm sure that all of these players had "weak moments" when they might not have been anyone's favorite. I'll still take Lewis. As an aside, one of my sons played bantam football (Nomads) against Ryan Reaves, whose father, Willard, was his head coach. Seriously, anyone who sat on the opposite side of the field from Coach Reaves would definitely not be a fan. (one man's opinion though.)

Quote from: NewBlue on July 09, 2018, 08:58:44 PM
Oh man, if only Charlie cared about keeping in shape....what could have been!

One thing ive heard from players and coaches that were around Blink is that if he actually worked out and studied the game more he would not been as good.

What is did was more a natural abillity and instinct. He never had to think about what he was going to do....  he jus did it.

Im old enuff to have seen lots of these guys. Lots were great.

But just on pure fun to watch....  Roberts.

Quote from: pjrocksmb on July 09, 2018, 11:01:35 PM
My other is Mike Richardson

Friends bro in law who had an amazing year.

Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on July 10, 2018, 12:12:23 AMMike Richardson was my first RB fav though.

I was initially going to have ten choices, then I realized I had to expand my list up to fifteen. I still felt bad about having to leave Michael Richardson off my fifteen selections though.

:(

Probably a lot of the fans in here never got to see Leo play.

I saw most on the list, and just caught the tail end of Leo Lewis' career. For sheer fun and excitement, my vote went to Mack Herron.

My favourite all time is the Lincoln Locomotive....I watched him play in the glory years.   He could basically do everything extremely well.....including passing.   He revolutionized the position with his style of running and was as elusive as he was powerful.   He was electrifying on kickoffs and still holds the all time record for best return average.   He was a humble man on top of it....

Dave Raimey was my second favourite.....he didn't have the power of Lewis but he was so elusive and broke tackles at will with his slashing style.  He was a threat anywhere on the field

Mack Herron was my third choice for pure entertainment value....he was so elusive

Then there was Blink who was arguably one very talented athlete.....he carried the Bombers on his back at times and his pairing with Mike Sellars was the best running combination of that era.....

Kept it to RB who played while I have been a fan, so that is Reeves forward.

My ATF is Sellers, even though technically not a RB.  Memories of him literally moving the pile on his own, helmet off, stuff of legend.

I am old enough to have seen Dave Raimey and Mack Herron play. Same with Jay Washington. I think for a short while there were two Washingtons in the backfield.
I also picked Willard Reaves, Charles Roberts and Andrew Harris. Does anyone remember Richard Crump and Bob (Hoss) Houmard?

I picked Charles Roberts as I didn't see most of the others on the list play. However, with his diminutive stature and poor training habits, the fact that he had such a long and successful is very impressive to me. Imagine if he trained and treated his body like Milt?

Quote from: Lincoln Locomotive on July 10, 2018, 04:41:36 AM
My favourite all time is the Lincoln Locomotive....I watched him play in the glory years.   He could basically do everything extremely well.....including passing.   He revolutionized the position with his style of running and was as elusive as he was powerful.   He was electrifying on kickoffs and still holds the all time record for best return average.   He was a humble man on top of it....

Dave Raimey was my second favourite.....he didn't have the power of Lewis but he was so elusive and broke tackles at will with his slashing style.  He was a threat anywhere on the field

Mack Herron was my third choice for pure entertainment value....he was so elusive

Then there was Blink who was arguably one very talented athlete.....he carried the Bombers on his back at times and his pairing with Mike Sellars was the best running combination of that era.....

arguably one very talented athlete?

Your glasses must have been very poor in the later 90s early 2000s

I guess if that?s the case Lewis was arguably a talented athlete as well!

Quote from: Doublezero on July 10, 2018, 04:56:01 AM
I am old enough to have seen Dave Raimey and Mack Herron play. Same with Jay Washington. I think for a short while there were two Washingtons in the backfield.
I also picked Willard Reaves, Charles Roberts and Andrew Harris. Does anyone remember Richard Crump and Bob (Hoss) Houmard?

The other Washington was Jim Washington. I remember Crump very well and recall his 105 TD run. Houmard was pretty good and seemed more like a FB body type powerful runner. For that matter I remember Art Perkins.

Perkins was a FB often used in FB draw type plays which was something new to the CFL back in the early 60's.

Quote from: DM83 on July 10, 2018, 03:50:21 AM
Love your list.

But another criteria  minimum five yrs?

Not a bad idea, though I would have had to do a bit more digging on some of the players.

:-\

Quote from: Doublezero on July 10, 2018, 04:56:01 AM
I am old enough to have seen Dave Raimey and Mack Herron play. Same with Jay Washington. I think for a short while there were two Washingtons in the backfield.
I also picked Willard Reaves, Charles Roberts and Andrew Harris. Does anyone remember Richard Crump and Bob (Hoss) Houmard?

I remember Houmard. Talk about moving the pile, he was an automatic 3-4 yards, hole or no hole.

Quote from: Blue In BC on July 10, 2018, 02:29:06 PM
The other Washington was Jim Washington. I remember Crump very well and recall his 105 TD run. Houmard was pretty good and seemed more like a FB body type powerful runner. For that matter I remember Art Perkins.

Perkins was a FB often used in FB draw type plays which was something new to the CFL back in the early 60's.

Jim and Jay are the same guy.  The other Washington was Larry, who played 6 games in 1979 and one game in 1980.

Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on July 10, 2018, 01:54:31 PM
arguably one very talented athlete?

Your glasses must have been very poor in the later 90s early 2000s

I guess if that?s the case Lewis was arguably a talented athlete as well!

so.....what's your point?   Sometimes I have to wonder at all the nitpicking in this forum!?

Quote from: Lincoln Locomotive on July 10, 2018, 04:41:36 AM
My favourite all time is the Lincoln Locomotive....I watched him play in the glory years.   He could basically do everything extremely well.....including passing.   He revolutionized the position with his style of running and was as elusive as he was powerful.   He was electrifying on kickoffs and still holds the all time record for best return average.   He was a humble man on top of it....

Dave Raimey was my second favourite.....he didn't have the power of Lewis but he was so elusive and broke tackles at will with his slashing style.  He was a threat anywhere on the field

Mack Herron was my third choice for pure entertainment value....he was so elusive

Then there was Blink who was arguably one very talented athlete.....he carried the Bombers on his back at times and his pairing with Mike Sellars was the best running combination of that era.....

I also agree with you regarding the Lincoln Locomotive - see my previous post. But I have a good Mack Herron story! As I mentioned in my previous post I moved to Dallas Texas shortly after seeing the Grey Cup on Wide world of sports. I went to SMU and played football and ran track. You have to remember that SMU was more of a party school back then than anything else. In any event we made it to the Drake Relays in 1968 or 1969 (68 i think) and I ran on our 4x100 relay team (as a substitute - I was not really that fast). We were pretty slow! During the preliminary we ran against other Big 8 and SW conference teams . One was Kansas State. I ran first leg as our regular guy was sick that time. Across from me was this rather small guy but really stocky and built like a football player not a runner. Remember I stood 6'2" and this guy must have been about 5' or so. In any event the gun went off and all I could see was this little dude with this big Afro far far ahead of me after about 40 yards. Absolutely blew the entire field away (SMU of course finished last that day) Turned out he was Mack Herron! 

Quote from: the paw on July 10, 2018, 05:46:22 PM
Jim and Jay are the same guy.  The other Washington was Larry, who played 6 games in 1979 and one game in 1980.

You're right it was Larry.  # 7 comes to mind.

Quote from: Lincoln Locomotive on July 10, 2018, 07:54:49 PM
so.....what's your point?   Sometimes I have to wonder at all the nitpicking in this forum!?

Look around all we do here is nitpick! :)

Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on July 10, 2018, 12:12:23 AM
I have lots of personnel run ins with Charles Roberts including catching him smoking in his car with his little girl in there with him, toughest autograph in the CFL adventures, etc...

But when he was traded to BC right after LDC that year and I the emotionally destroyed. Even my wife was like, Adam are you Ok what?s wrong? As I was sitting in front of the computer reading the news. I couldn?t help but be completely broken down. Then when he actually played for BC about 2-3 weeks later again I was visibly upset.

Ya he had his bad habits and quarks be he was one awesome little player.

Only time I was ever that upset about anything in pro sports.

He was awesome a couple years ago when he was inducted into the CFL Hall of game I took my daughter to get his autograph at the bomber store and I got a chuckle out of him about a story I?ll keep to myself. It was a priceless moment for me as well.

Even know his play was tapering off he was still explosive. We just had an endless streak of useless QBs and it was all on Milt and Blink.

Mike Richardson was my first RB fav though.

This is awesome, Charlie was boss, Mike was good

Quote from: New_Earth_Mud on July 10, 2018, 02:08:29 AM

One thing ive heard from players and coaches that were around Blink is that if he actually worked out and studied the game more he would not been as good.

What is did was more a natural abillity and instinct. He never had to think about what he was going to do....  he jus did it.

Im old enuff to have seen lots of these guys. Lots were great.

But just on pure fun to watch....  Roberts.

nah, if he lived clean he would have been an absolute legend and the sky would have been the limit

working out and studying would have enhanced his natural abilities and instinct, not reduced it

I guess if Milt was a drunk he would have been an all star NFL receiver?

Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on July 10, 2018, 11:48:39 PM
Look around all we do here is nitpick! :)

PJ's favorite place to be b/c I can nitpick and not get in trouble like I do with the wife LOL

Quote from: drahgon on July 10, 2018, 01:37:45 PM
I picked Charles Roberts as I didn't see most of the others on the list play. However, with his diminutive stature and poor training habits, the fact that he had such a long and successful is very impressive to me. Imagine if he trained and treated his body like Milt?

would have been another 5 years and many more thousand yards and maybe GC rings

Quote from: pjrocksmb on July 11, 2018, 01:50:56 AM
would have been another 5 years and many more thousand yards and maybe GC rings

Or if he did that he would of had the same career or less. It is what made him special, he was an true enigma.

Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on July 11, 2018, 02:11:24 AM
Or if he did that he would of had the same career or less. It is what made him special, he was an true enigma.

hard to know yes

makes me happy watching Charlie...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM4L_4ug590

Quote from: pjrocksmb on July 11, 2018, 02:43:36 AM
makes me happy watching Charlie...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM4L_4ug590

That video had none of his earlier stuff.

Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on July 11, 2018, 04:17:43 AM
That video had none of his earlier stuff.

not sure how much more is on youtube but if you find something post it! :)

Quote from: pjrocksmb on July 11, 2018, 02:43:36 AM
makes me happy watching Charlie...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM4L_4ug590

He was the best. Great highlight pack of d-linemen and LBs flailing at the air trying to tackle blink.



Can't believe Fred Reid got 6 votes...

Quote from: rubanski on July 11, 2018, 01:20:50 PM
He was the best. Great highlight pack of d-linemen and LBs flailing at the air trying to tackle blink.



Can't believe Fred Reid got 6 votes...

why his career was short but he was explosive.

Quote from: rubanski on July 11, 2018, 01:20:50 PM
He was the best. Great highlight pack of d-linemen and LBs flailing at the air trying to tackle blink.



Can't believe Fred Reid got 6 votes...

I know and agree with you. Fred Reid was a standout RB for us - William Miller too.

I only started watching the Bombers in '75 so I'm going by what I saw. I imagine if I were old enough to remember Leo Lewis I would have ranked him high. However based on what I've seen my favourite would be Willard Reaves. I also remember him giving the footballs to the kids in the handicap section after every TD. I also believe that for every 100 yard rushing game he bought the OL or White Horses as he called them a steak dinner and gave them watches at the end of the season. IIRC I read an article in the paper a few years ago that said that he was working in the sheriffs office. I don't know if this is still true or not. My second favourite is Andrew Harris as he is my current favourite Bomber. I'm so glad that I bought his jersey.

Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on July 11, 2018, 01:34:22 PM
why his career was short but he was explosive.

Fred Reid was a very exciting RB. He just had a short career.

Quote from: GCn17 on July 11, 2018, 05:34:55 PM
Fred Reid was a very exciting RB. He just had a short career.

Always remember that 260 yards he put up on BC. Pretty awesome!

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on July 11, 2018, 05:51:07 PM
Always remember that 260 yards he put up on BC. Pretty awesome!

Me to, that was the Mike Kelly year. Unreal game.

Impossible to make an informed choice unless you are 70ish ?

Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on July 10, 2018, 11:48:39 PM
Look around all we do here is nitpick! :)

some do...not everyone.   This post was about your favourite players....pretty straight forward there

Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on July 11, 2018, 01:34:22 PM
why his career was short but he was explosive.

since nitpicking seems to be in vogue....I'm surprised you made this comment.   Blink played 8 seasons for the Bombers....and he surpassed Leo Lewis in rushing yardage.   He was 5'6 and weighed maybe 180 pounds soaking wet....below are some facts devoid of opinions, conjecture or whatever else...
To survive in the league at that size and with his amazing stats I'd say he was one heck of an athlete with natural ability....if he'd taken care of himself a little more who knows what he could have been...he never won a cup and Lincoln won 4 of them so that for me is where the rubber hits the road comparing the two.   

"In his 8-year tenure he established himself as one of the premier running backs in the Canadian Football League, earning the nickname "Blink" for his amazing quickness and agility.[1] He led the league in rushing yards in 2006 with 1609 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning a nomination as the East's Most Outstanding Player. Off the field he experienced highs and lows. The enigmatic back missed team flights, led the league in all-purpose yards, pondered retirement, led the league in rushing yards, publicly criticized some decisions, and signed a long-term big money deal to remain as the face of the Bombers.

Through the 2006 season, Roberts rushed for 8,091 yards in just six seasons with the Blue Bombers. He also tallied up 2,732 receiving yards and 57 touchdowns.

On September 2, 2007 Roberts passed Leo Lewis to become the Winnipeg Blue Bombers all-time leading rusher. He is also fifth all-time in CFL career rushing totals.

Roberts was selected in 2005 as one of the 20 All-Time Blue Bomber Greats.

On September 1, 2008, Roberts was traded to the BC Lions for fellow RB Joe Smith."

Quote from: Sec223 on July 11, 2018, 07:14:03 PMImpossible to make an informed choice unless you are 70ish ?

Is that then a problem for a poster or two?

???

Quote from: Lincoln Locomotive on July 11, 2018, 07:27:49 PM
since nitpicking seems to be in vogue....I'm surprised you made this comment.   Blink played 8 seasons for the Bombers....and he surpassed Leo Lewis in rushing yardage.   He was 5'6 and weighed maybe 180 pounds soaking wet....below are some facts devoid of opinions, conjecture or whatever else...
To survive in the league at that size and with his amazing stats I'd say he was one heck of an athlete with natural ability....if he'd taken care of himself a little more who knows what he could have been...he never won a cup and Lincoln won 4 of them so that for me is where the rubber hits the road comparing the two.   

"In his 8-year tenure he established himself as one of the premier running backs in the Canadian Football League, earning the nickname "Blink" for his amazing quickness and agility.[1] He led the league in rushing yards in 2006 with 1609 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning a nomination as the East's Most Outstanding Player. Off the field he experienced highs and lows. The enigmatic back missed team flights, led the league in all-purpose yards, pondered retirement, led the league in rushing yards, publicly criticized some decisions, and signed a long-term big money deal to remain as the face of the Bombers.

Through the 2006 season, Roberts rushed for 8,091 yards in just six seasons with the Blue Bombers. He also tallied up 2,732 receiving yards and 57 touchdowns.

On September 2, 2007 Roberts passed Leo Lewis to become the Winnipeg Blue Bombers all-time leading rusher. He is also fifth all-time in CFL career rushing totals.

Roberts was selected in 2005 as one of the 20 All-Time Blue Bomber Greats.

On September 1, 2008, Roberts was traded to the BC Lions for fellow RB Joe Smith."

I?m sure he had this discussion before

I am super proud of the fact that the blue bombers have such a storied past. It is one of the pillar reasons I am such a huge fan of the B.B. and Leo Lewis he was truly a Special player . I have him on my wall in my rec room too!

Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on July 11, 2018, 01:34:22 PM
why his career was short but he was explosive.

Quote from: Doublezero on July 11, 2018, 02:22:07 PM
I know and agree with you. Fred Reid was a standout RB for us - William Miller too.

Exactly. Extremely short career, highlighted by the one and only thing Mike Kelly did well as head coach. Employ that stupid Jet Stream run play that got about 12 yards a carry each time for 1 game.

Basically had a two year career as a top drawer running back. Speed up the ying yang to spare, but always lacked power and was a frustrating short yardage back on frustrating BB teams led by The Professor Mad Mike Kelly, and then Lapo's failed first venture into head coaching (oh how we didn't realize how poisonous Joe Mack was at the time!!!) 

Dark times in BB land.

His career is sandwiched between a blisteringly talented RB, one of the all time CFL greats in Charles Blink Roberts - and our current RB, who is a hometown hero, and undoubtedly better back than Reid.

We have had two really great running backs grace our roster since the turn of the century.

Just really seems like an odd pick to me for a few folks.

Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on July 11, 2018, 10:06:20 PM
I?m sure he had this discussion before

I am super proud of the fact that the blue bombers have such a storied past. It is one of the pillar reasons I am such a huge fan of the B.B. and Leo Lewis he was truly a Special player . I have him on my wall in my rec room too!

thats cool.....loved both players and right now I'm a big big fan of Winnipeg's own boy Harris!!   

Quote from: Lincoln Locomotive on July 11, 2018, 11:35:05 PM
thats cool.....loved both players and right now I'm a big big fan of Winnipeg's own boy Harris!!   

Me to man! 👍👍👍

Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on July 11, 2018, 01:34:22 PM
why his career was short but he was explosive.

great back

I never liked Fred Reid. The only RB who I got really excited about after Charlie left was Chad Simpson (and obviously now Harris).

Quote from: Jesse on July 12, 2018, 01:42:23 AM
I never liked Fred Reid. The only RB who I got really excited about after Charlie left was Chad Simpson (and obviously now Harris).

Chad was good but he played about 30% of the time. Not to excitable there either.

There's a clip here at 3 mins 28 secs that shows why I like Fred Reid, who could really take off when he put it in gear. See also 5 mins 25 secs. He was never a power runner, he wasn't built that way. But he had heart. Epitomized our Bombers. The clip of Reid is followed by one of LL. This is a great vid BTW:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F4JvWZhuQ0

A few names on the board are a little before my time, surprised to see 11.2 % or 29 posters picked Leo Lewis... He retired in 1966, I was only 7 years old at the time.

My 1st pick went to Mini Mack... aka Mack Herron, later known as Mack Heroin.

Quote from: Norm W on July 12, 2018, 05:16:39 PM
A few names on the board are a little before my time, surprised to see 11.2 % or 29 posters picked Leo Lewis... He retired in 1966, I was only 7 years old at the time.

My 1st pick went to Mini Mack... aka Mack Herron, later known as Mack Heroin.

He liked Heroin?

Among other drugs, destroyed his career and his life....

Mack Herron, the former Winnipeg Blue Bomber running back who went on to set a single-season National Football League record for all-purpose records but whose playing career and later life was disrupted by drug use, died Saturday while living in the same Chicago streets where he grew up and was still ?a neighborhood legend? for his athletic accomplishments.

Mack Herron as Winnipeg Blue Bomber on July 26, 1972. He was 67.

His death, believed to be connected to diabetes, was confirmed Sunday by his sister Barbara.

Nicknamed ?Mini Mac? for his diminutive stature but powerful running, the 5 foot five and a half inch, 180 pound Herron joined the Canadian Football League Bombers in 1971 after the NFL Atlanta Falcons drafted him 143rd overall out of Kansas State, where in his senior year he had been runner up in college scoring.

With the Bombers, Herron was a sensation on the field and a fan favourite. He led the league in all-purpose yards in both of his CFL seasons before he signed with the Patriots in 1973, and in 1974 the kick-return specialist set the then NFL 14-game record with 2,444 all-purpose yards.

But Herron only became available to New England because of what would become a long-running battle with drugs. In May 1973, Winnipeg police raided his East Kildonan apartment, tackling Herron before he could toss the evidence off his balcony. It was a miniscule amount of marijuana, but police said they also found traces of cocaine.

The Bombers released him.

Five months later, having signed with the Patriots, Herron pleaded guilty to two drug-possession charges and was given a choice four months in jail or pay a fine and costs totaling $1,000. It was a stiff sentence, even back then, but the judge considered Herron?s residual stature in the community. At the time, the little man was still a big man in Winnipeg, and before he left the courtroom that October day, he spoke directly to young Bomber fans.

?Unfortunately, I became involved with drugs,? Herron said, ?and it has caused great harm to my career. I lost the opportunity to play in Canada for the Winnipeg team and become part of a wonderful community. I have been given a second chance to play for the New England Patriots on condition that I have nothing further to do with drugs. I will not become involved again. If there are any football players amongst the young Manitobans, I urge them to profit from my mistake. Stay away from drugs of all kinds.?

But soon, after playing parts of the 1975 season with the New England and finally Atlanta, his addiction to drugs, including heroin, would drag him down and out of professional football permanently. By 1978, Herron was sentenced to five years in prison on cocaine trafficking charges. He would serve shorter prison terms in 2000 and 2003. In 2011, his last reported drug-related arrest, The Chicago Tribune wrote that Herron has been arrested about 20 times since his football career ended, mostly for drug offences.

The Mack Herron who once had so much promise, and made so many promises, had been receiving public assistance in recent years and fighting with the NFL over pension payments. He did landscaping around the neighborhood, the Tribune wrote, ?usually for free.?

And like so many old pro football players, he was in constant pain. In Herron?s case it came from his leg and ankles, his mother told the Tribune.

?Sometimes,? she said, ?he can hardly walk.?

The arrest four years ago came as a shock to his family.

Herron was a devout Muslim, they said, who didn?t drink or smoke. They pointed out that he mentored children against drug use. They thought his troubles were behind him.

VIA: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/bombers/Former-Bomber?360724701.html

gordon.sinclair@freepress.mb.ca

At the request of Foxhound here was an old poll - it did have some good participation. 

Yay!

8)

Not much support yet for Charlie Shepard or Blaise Bryant.

:(

This is a hard call. 

Roberts was definitely entertaining and over 8 years amassed some numbers. 

Leo Lewis was the offence much of th time he was here. 

That said Williard Reaves was a very dynamic player also, achieved 2/3 the touchdowns in 1/2 the time Roberts did; he was absolutely the go to guy and when defence lines up against him knowing that he would get the ball, he would still usually get the first down or touchdown. While Roberts was entertaining he was not that guy. 

Harris is similar in that often defence would know he was getting the ball and could not stop him.  Unlike Reaves and Roberts he is a very good receiver and also a very good blocker.

So while everyone recall the entertainment of Roberts, Reaves and Harris get the nod. 

Also how many Grey Cups does Roberts have? Harris really carried the Bombers on his back and was a leader (as was Reaves).

Foxhound was interested in seeing this thread again.

How about Butch Pressley? Hoss Humard? James Sykes? And let's not forget Mike Sellers. Honourable mentions at least.

Quote from: bomb squad on November 16, 2025, 06:25:48 PMJames Sykes?

I considered James Sykes but the meat of his career was with the Calgary Stampeders. He had only 12 carries for 62 yards with the Blue Bombers in 1983 and 97 carries for 446 yards with the Bombers in 1986.

But where should Brady Oliveira now be slotted in among the Blue Bomber greats? Certainly top ten if not the top five.

 ???

Quote from: Foxhound on November 16, 2025, 06:56:06 PMI considered James Sykes but the meat of his career was with the Calgary Stampeders. He had only 12 carries for 62 yards with the Blue Bombers in 1983 and 97 carries for 446 yards with the Bombers in 1986.

That's what I find intriguing about him. Yes, he is Red and White, but he still had a big impact in his limited role with the Bombers.

What...?  None of the "throwaway" RBs before AH arrived (after the greats left, of course)?  :D  :D  :D

Didn't we have a guy named Cotton for a season?  Looked promising then poof, just disappeared.  A lot of that going on in the Mafia years before AH.

X3 for Michael Richardson

MIke Sellers not being on this list is a travesty.  Guy was the Bombers/CFL equivalent of Dustin Byfuglien - a total freak of nature who shouldn't have been able to do what he did.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY8_PdIeYV8

Quote from: VictorRomano on November 19, 2025, 02:28:56 PMMIke Sellers not being on this list is a travesty.  Guy was the Bombers/CFL equivalent of Dustin Byfuglien - a total freak of nature who shouldn't have been able to do what he did.

He was also only here for 2 years and was a FB.

He was incredibly fun to watch, but never put together a season like any of the top RBs on this list.

There are 4 names on this list that I never heard of until today.

Quote from: peg_city on November 19, 2025, 03:39:15 PMThere are 4 names on this list that I never heard of until today.

Hansen was the only one I didn't see play. Picking a favourite is difficult. The length of their career and impact on the team while here factors into the question. Age of the poster that didn't see many of these players in their prime.

I picked Leo Lewis as my favourite player from a football point of view. OTOH, Reaves was always a favourite from a supporter of his fans. He used to run into the end zone after a TD and hand the ball to one of the fans sitting in a wheelchair or in the stands.

That was a classy move I always appreciated from a human nature point of view. He had an interesting historical background as well.

Quote from: Jesse on November 19, 2025, 02:31:24 PMHe was also only here for 2 years and was a FB.

He was incredibly fun to watch, but never put together a season like any of the top RBs on this list.

I looked through my Annual CFL Guides & Record Books for 1000 yard seasons and All-Star selections to decide upon the names I would include.

Quote from: peg_city on November 19, 2025, 03:39:15 PMThere are 4 names on this list that I never heard of until today.

The CFL Record Books contain a treasure trove of info for the more studious fan! Pick up a recent one.

:)

Quote from: Jesse on November 19, 2025, 02:31:24 PMHe was also only here for 2 years and was a FB.

He was incredibly fun to watch, but never put together a season like any of the top RBs on this list.

Thunder and Lightning, although short-lived, was a very entertaining tandem to watch.

Quote from: Balticfox on November 19, 2025, 03:55:41 PMI looked through my Annual CFL Guides & Record Books for 1000 yard seasons and All-Star selections to decide upon the names I would include.

Sellers had 643 yards on 63 carries for a 10.2 YPC average in 2002
Sellers had 481 yards on 48 carries for 10.0 YPC average in 2003, which he parlayed into an 8 year career with the Redskins.

Keep in mind, this guy was doing ALL of this while splitting time with another 1000yd RB in Charles Roberts in Winnipeg.  I don't think anyone would complain today if Winnipeg had a 10+ YPC RB who *only* had 650 yards rushing.  If he had been here by himself, I could definitely have seen him putting up Andrew Harris/Jon Cornish numbers.....