By Evan Midford, Website & Social Media Coordinator
The Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame is saddened to hear of the passing of Winnipeg Blue Bombers legend and Honoured Member, Jim Heighton.
Arguably, Heighton’s greatest accomplishments in sport came as a member of the Winnipeg Football Club. During his seven years wearing the blue and gold, Heighton earned two team nods as Most Outstanding Canadian (1974 and 1976) and one Most Outstanding Defensive Player (1974).
Heighton, however, is not inducted merely for his exploits on the gridiron. As an all-around athlete, Heighton excelled in any arena he chose.
A two-time inductee into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame, Heighton’s most memorable moment on the diamond came when he hit a two-run home run in the final inning to break up a no-hitter and send his Grosse Isle Blue Jays senior team to the 1988 Canadian western championship.
In track and field, Heighton won eight gold medals at Canadian masters meets, and for nearly a decade, he owned and raced a thoroughbred, Limbo Mission. He also competed in the Manitoba Golden Masters Soccer Club into his 70s.
Jim Heighton was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.
Learn more about Jim Heighton in his inductee biography on the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame’s website.
