The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are inducting three new individuals to the team’s Hall of Fame in 2022, including running back Fred Reid, defensive end Gavin Walls, and former president Lynn Bishop in the builder category.
“Congratulations to the three newest members of the Winnipeg Football Club’s Hall of Fame,” said team president and CEO Wade Miller in a statement. “I hope our fans are pleased with both inductees and the newest members of our hall of fame.”
Reid was signed with the Blue Bombers in 2007 upon the recommendation of veteran linebacker and fellow Mississippi State alumnus Barrin Simpson. He started two games as a rookie when Charles Roberts was injured and appeared in all 18 regular season games and the playoffs, including the 2007 Grey Cup.
Reid became the team’s feature back partway through the 2008 season when Roberts was traded to the B.C. Lions. He soon enjoyed the two best years of his career with 238 carries for 1,371 yards and seven touchdowns in 2009 and 213 carries for 1,396 yards for six touchdowns in 2010, which led the league.
“I am very honored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame class of 2022 in the CFL for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers,” tweeted Reid. “I truly enjoyed my time as a Bomber, it is a great organization and I am highly grateful for my time in Winnipeg. Thank you to the Bomber organization.”
The five-foot-eight, 183-pound ball carrier was a three-time East Division all-star (2008, 2009, 2010) and one-time CFL all-star (2010). He ranks seventh on Winnipeg’s all-time rushing yardage list with 4,505 yards, behind Roberts (9,987), Leo Lewis (8,861), Willard Reaves (5,923), Jim Washington (5,736), Gerry James (5,541), and Andrew Harris (5,402).
Reid’s best game took place on August 21, 2009 when he carried the ball 26 times for 260 yards in Vancouver, a single-game rushing record for the Blue Bombers and the third-highest total in CFL history behind Ottawa’s Ron Stewart (287 yards, 1960) and Saskatchewan’s George Reed (268 yards, 1965).
The native of Tampa, Fla. is currently the running backs coach with the Ottawa Redblacks.
Walls came to Winnipeg in 2005 after attending training camp with the Minnesota Vikings in 2004 and then spending time with the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe. He made an instant impression upon his arrival, leading the Blue Bombers in quarterback sacks with 12 and was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie.
The Arkansas product had three seasons of double-digit sack totals with the Blue Bombers, registering 12 in 2005, 11 in 2006 and 10 in 2008. He made 47 sacks in 82 regular season games with the club, which puts him in a tie for fourth all-time in team history alongside Elfrid Payton and behind only Tyrone Jones (98), Tony Norman (59), and Doug Brown (52).
Walls was a three-time divisional all-star (2005, 2006, 2008) before he was traded to the Montreal Alouettes in February 2010, though he never played for the team. He remained in Winnipeg after retiring, commuting to Fort McMurray while working in the oil and gas sector and is currently the general manager for a local co-op.
Bishop joined the Winnipeg Football Club Board of Directors in 1992 and became part of the Executive Committee a year later. He became the WFC President in 1996.
The club was in a dire financial situation at the time and Bishop helped launch the ‘Third and Long’ business plan that pushed for a bigger season-ticket base while implementing a refinancing plan.
The team also undertook several capital projects at old Canad Inns Stadium under Bishop’s tenure, including the construction of new administration and player facilities, dressing room improvements, theatre-type seating, the installation of an electronic scoreboard, new artificial turf, and a new Bomber store.
The class will be honoured at the Blue Bombers Legacy Gala Dinner on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at the RBC Convention Centre and at the annual Hall of Fame Game on October 8th when the Blue Bombers host the Edmonton Elks at Investors Group Field.
