The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will have a new play-by-play man in Derek Taylor after the retirement of Bob Irving.
Taylor was officially named the new voice of the team for 680 CJOB radio on Wednesday.
“Congratulations to Derek on coming home to Winnipeg as the new voice of the Bombers,” Irving told Global News Winnipeg.
“His long-standing ties to the city make him a perfect fit, where he will be working with some of the finest people in our industry. I know his work ethic and vibrant personality will knock it out if the park.”
While Taylor was calling games the last two seasons for 620 CKRM in Saskatchewan, the Roughriders had a 22-10 regular season record, finishing first and second in the West Division in 2019 and 2021, respectively. He called two playoff losses for the green and white, both to Winnipeg in consecutive West Finals as the Bombers went on to win back-to-back Grey Cups.
Taylor moved on from TSN in March 2019 to fill the role Rod Pedersen held for 20 years in the Queen City. In November 2014, Taylor was hired by TSN as an anchor and reporter for SportsCentre and created the widely known Details segment which aired during CFL on TSN broadcasts.
From 2006-2014 Taylor was a co-host for Global Morning news in Winnipeg and called University of Manitoba Bisons football games for 101.5 UMFM including the 12-0 season when the Bisons won the Vanier Cup in 2007.
Taylor was born in Okotoks, Alberta, studied journalism at Ryerson University and started his broadcasting career at TSN as an editorial assistant. He earned a reporter job at Global Winnipeg in 2001 and moved to anchoring five years later.
His first game on air will be Monday, May 23 when the blue and gold travel to Regina to play the Riders.
