The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will induct running back Charles Roberts into the Ring of Honour at Princess Auto Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7.
“This is a big deal for me, I’m humbled and I’m very appreciative that I’m being honoured as one of the legends of the organization,” said Roberts in a statement. “All those years ago when I first came to Winnipeg it never dawned on me that I’d receive a call 20 years later informing that I’d be saluted in this way by being added to the Ring of Honour.
“So many guys come up to Canada and want to use it to get back to the NFL. After my first year in Winnipeg, I didn’t want to be anywhere else because I was so comfortable thanks to the fans, my teammates, and the people in that community. I had found a home.”
The native of Montclair, Calif. rushed for 9,987 yards and scored 79 touchdowns as a member of the team from 2001 to 2008, earning seven consecutive CFL all-star selections and winning three rushing titles. He played in two Grey Cups and was named the league’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player in 2001.
Roberts was inducted into the Winnipeg Football Club Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2014. He remains Winnipeg’s all-time leading rusher and ranks sixth all-time in CFL rushing yards, seventh all-time in combined yards, and eleventh all-time in yards from scrimmage.
“Congratulations to Charles Roberts, a welcome addition alongside the other icons of our franchise,” said team president and CEO Wade Miller. “The Winnipeg Football Club is absolutely thrilled to add such a spectacular player to our Ring of Honour.”
The Ring of Honour was founded in 2016 and has since added 16 inductees, including 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, Joe Poplawski, and James Murphy.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5-6) will visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-5-1) on Sunday, Sept. 1 for the annual Labour Day Classic. Roberts will be inducted the following week during halftime of the Banjo Bowl.
