The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have selected receiver James Murphy as the next inductee for the Ring of Honour at IG Field.
The native of DeLand, Fla. played nine seasons with the club (1982-90), recording 573 receptions for 9,036 yards and 61 touchdowns. Though a number of his club records were broken by Milt Stegall following his retirement, Murphy still has the most single-season receptions in team history with 116. He was a two-time CFL all-star, three-time Grey Cup champion, one-time Grey Cup MVP, and one-time CFL Most Outstanding Player.
“It’s fantastic,” said Murphy in a statement. “You don’t play the game for this kind of recognition, but when you do get the thumbs up it’s just awesome. I’m overwhelmed with joy.
“We had so many great players, so many great teams and coaches during my era. So many fond memories for me. It was really one of the greatest times, the 1980s, to be playing football in Winnipeg and in the CFL.”
The Utah State product was inducted into the Winnipeg Football Club Hall of Fame in 1995, the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2000, and the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.
The 14 individuals previously inducted into the Ring of Honour since it opened in 2016 are Chris Walby, Ken Ploen, Gerry James, Milt Stegall, Dieter Brock, Leo Lewis, Bud Grant, Herb Gray, Doug Brown, Jack Jacobs, Fritz Hanson, Bob Cameron, Bob Irving, and Joe Poplawski.
“Congratulations to James Murphy, who is certainly worthy of taking his place alongside the other icons of our franchise,” said team president and CEO Wade Miller. “The Winnipeg Football Club is absolutely thrilled to add a dynamic player who opted to stay in Winnipeg after his retirement to our Ring of Honour.”
Murphy will be inducted during the Banjo Bowl on Saturday, Sept. 9. The game is already sold out.
