The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are forgoing the traditional Grey Cup parade amid concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, choosing instead to host a celebration at IG Field.
The event will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. CT. Admission is free and the club will have limited concessions and Grey Cup merchandise available for purchase.
The Blue Bombers became the first CFL teams since the Montreal Alouettes in 2010 to repeat as Grey Cup champions, defeating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in overtime by a score of 33-25 at Tim Hortons Field. The wind was a factor throughout the game as gusts blew at speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour at field level.
The Blue Bombers held a 4-0 lead at the end of the first quarter with Sergio Castillo making a 38-yard field goal and Marc Liegghio scoring a rouge on a punt single. The Ticats managed just 13 offensive yards in the opening frame, as Alden Darby intercepted Hamilton quarterback Dane Evans after the ball was tipped at the line of scrimmage.
Evans left the game with an apparent neck injury midway through the second quarter and was replaced by Jeremiah Masoli, who was pulled early in the East Final following a poor start. The nine-year veteran led two quick scoring drives, including a 12-yard touchdown pass to Steven Dunbar Jr. to take a 10-7 lead before halftime.
Hamilton had the wind in the third quarter and made the most of it with Masoli tossing an eleven-yard touchdown to Brandon Banks. Winnipeg got a 15-yard field goal from Castillo before Zach Collaros threw a pair of interceptions to strong-side linebacker Kameron Kelly. The home-side led the game 19-10 going into the fourth quarter.
The Ticats drove deep into Winnipeg territory to start the final frame, but only came away with a ten-yard field goal. Castillo booted a 20-yard field goal for Winnipeg before Collaros connected with Nic Demski for a 29-yard touchdown. Castillo and Michael Domagala exchanged late field goals to send the game to overtime tied at 25-25.
Collaros hit Darvin Adams for a 13-yard touchdown pass in the first round of overtime, followed by a three-yard pass to Rasheed Bailey for the two-point conversion to make the score 33-25. Masoli was intercepted on their possession by Kyrie Wilson, finalizing the score at 33-25.
Ratings for the game on TSN were disappointing with an average audience of 2,873,000, which was a 22 percent decrease from 2019.
