By Sam Cortes, Communications Coordinator
Photo credit: Phil Hossack/Winnipeg Free Press
1990 Winnipeg Blue Bombers | Team – Football
Call it a team of destiny. Going into the 1990 season, many sports pundits had predicted that the Winnipeg Blue Bombers would finish last in the east division, thanks to a poor record in 1989 and some uncertainty around the quarterback position.
Just before the season started, Cal Murphy, GM for the Bombers, pulled off a trade that would change the team’s fortunes. Already blessed with a stout defense, the Bombers just needed an intelligent QB that could manage games and do what they needed to win.
That’s exactly what they got with Tom Burgess.
The Blue Bombers ended up posting a 12-6 regular season record, much to the surprise of many. Even though they did not produce too many points, they protected the football and did not turn the ball over often.
It also helped that the defense allowed the fewest points overall during the regular season. In fact, they allowed over 100 points less than their closest rival. This was a recipe for success.
In the playoffs, the Bombers had to play a very good Argonaut team that put up a lot of points during the regular season in the eastern division finals. This game came down to the wire. The score was tied at 17, and the Bombers had the ball late in the 4th quarter. Tom Burgess methodically marched the team down field with his arm and his legs, scampering for a 30-yard run. It set up a heroic kick by Trevor Kennerd, sending the Blue and Gold to the Grey Cup game.
The final was very anti-climatic as the Blue Bombers went into this game on a mission, blowing the doors off the Edmonton 50-11. The defense did what it had been doing all regular season, which was dominate.
Greg Battle, the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player, intercepted Edmonton QB Tracy Ham twice, returning one for a TD, putting on a defensive clinic.
The Bomber offense arguably put together their best performance of the season as well, with Tom Burgess being named offensive player of the game.
It has been a long time coming, and now the 1990 Winnipeg Blue Bomber team is a worthy inductee into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.
Find more info on the other nominees and the induction ceremony here.
