Annunziata: No love for greatest O-lineman in CFL history is pathetic

Last week, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers chose to immortalize four players. The criteria, apparently, was based entirely on a player’s “favoured" status among fans. Unlike the accolade itself – the naming of gates at new Investors Group Field – the process for choosing those players seemed entirely trivial.

That some would continue to legitimize their selection by constantly blathering on about the differences between "All-time greats" and "fan favourites," simply compounds the insult toward those far more deserving. The naming of a stadium portion is grand praise, commensurate with choosing an "All-time great." For a "fan favourite," a stadium sandwich named after the "popular guy" will do.

But this is not an indictment of those players chosen, rather a kind word for the one who wasn't. Brothers in arms, offensive linemen will always have each other’s backs. Bombers fans, on the other hand, have chosen to turn theirs on an iconic warrior who for 16 years carried the hopes of a franchise upon his.

The Alpha of my career, came on September 15, 1995, when running back Eric Blount set a single-game touchdown record for the Edmonton Eskimos when he scored five times. My first game ever as a pro, I was a member of an O-line unit that helped establish an Eskimos milestone that still stands today. It should have been the highlight of my evening but surprisingly, it wasn't.

In the aftermath of the game, with the Commonwealth Stadium crowd still buzzing from the five-TD performance against the Blue Bombers, meeting the greatest offensive lineman to have played in the CFL, was the greater honour.

Bloodied and battered, teeth missing, grass and mud still clinging to his sweat-drenched jersey, Chris Walby patted me on the back, extolled the virtues of "coming to work every night," congratulated me on the "ass kicking" and slipped off into the Edmonton night.

From his appearance to his demeanor, he was everything that epitomized trench warfare. Larger than life, he was everything a young offensive lineman aspired to be. A year later he retired as the most decorated Blue Bomber in franchise history. Our paths would not cross again as players.

How iconic was Walby? When I arrived in Winnipeg as a free-agent in 1997, greeting me to the left of my locker, was his retired stall. Sealed with plexiglass, adorned with the tools of his trade, a snap shot of his 16 years as a Bomber. A reminder of his legacy, visual and raw, much like the man himself.

For 16 years of his professional football career (1981–1996), Walby played for his hometown Bombers. A nine-time CFL All-Star, a two time league Most Outstanding Lineman, and three-time Grey Cup champion, he was called to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2005, he was chosen as one of the Blue Bombers’ All-Time 20 Greatest players. In November 2006, he was chosen 22nd amongst the CFL's 50 Greatest Players in a TSN poll. He was the highest rated offensive lineman and third Bomber chosen.

The Omega of my career came on a cool November night in Ottawa, and once again Walby was a part of it. All those seasons later, while lending his voice and insight as a CBC broadcaster, in my first Grey Cup game, our connection came full circle. His words, some 10 years earlier, now prophetic and meaningful as I lifted my first Grey Cup above my head.

Through coincidence, conspiring football gods, or through some strange intervention, from its beginning to its end and everything in between, Chris Walby has been linked to my football career.

And although my comments will seem trivial to some, meaningful to others, I'm confident they'll get it in Winnipeg. It is, after all, the origin of my discontent and home to a voting fan base well versed in confusing the two concepts. Especially within the context of how they choose their football heroes.

And for those who don't get it in Winnipeg, I'll try my best to explain it when I visit your new stadium. I'll be the guy standing at the concession stand, drinking my beer, eating my “Doug Brown Turkey melt," trying hard to swallow my disappointment.

Sandy Annunziata is a two-time Grey Cup champion who battled in the trenches along CFL offensive-lines for 11 seasons. Hard hitting and thought provoking, he takes you beyond the field and inside the locker room as he delivers a candid view of the game, the health of the league, the business of sport and the sometimes fragile psyche of pro athletes.