The Troy Westwood era with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers is over.
The team released the 41-year-old kicker on Sunday, ending his 17-year career in Winnipeg. The native of Dauphin, was the team's sixth-round draft pick in the 1991 CFL Canadian college draft and hasn't played for anyone else since.
"Troy Westwood has represented so much of what is right about the Blue Bombers organization," Winnipeg president and CEO Lyle Bauer said in a statement. "What an extraordinary career, 17 years. Troy has been a consummate professional and has represented this team so well.
"Troy leaves a remarkable legacy with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and we thank (him) for nearly two decades of service."
Westwood appeared in 278 career games, including four Grey Cup contests. He was stellar in the Bombers' 23-19 Grey Cup loss to Saskatchewan in November in Toronto, punting 11 times for nearly a 50-yard average and connecting on both of his field goal attempts.
However, in recent years Westwood had come under fire for his inconsistency on field goals. Last season, he made 20-of-33 field goals attempted (60 per cent) after making 30-of-43 (69 per cent) in 2006.
The Bombers decision to release Westwood comes just three days after he missed a 42-yard field goal in Winnipeg's 12-10 exhibition loss to Hamilton.
