Thousands of fully vaccinated fans cheer for the Blue Bombers at the home opener
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are back in their hometown, and for the 30,000 fully vaccinated fans who welcomed them back to the field—it was a moment nearly two years in the making.
The Bombers kicked off against the Hamilton Ti-Cats Thursday night at IG Field in Winnipeg—the first CFL action the city has seen since the two teams fought for the Grey Cup in November 2019.
For many fans, the return of the Bombers to their home field was an emotional moment.
Rebecca Rider-Hepner was the first in line at her gate, eager to get into the stadium.
“It’s a mixture of emotions, I feel like I am going to burst into tears,” she said, adding she has been going to games since she was five years old.
That tradition was interrupted with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is a part of me that got taken away from COVID,” she said. “Just to be here, I feel like I’m at home finally.”
Bombers' fans waiting to get into IG Field for the first game of the 2021 season. Aug. 5, 2021. (Source: Danton Unger/CTV News)
Bombers' fans waiting to get into IG Field for the first game of the 2021 season. Aug. 5, 2021. (Source: Danton Unger/CTV News)
“It’s surreal, I probably will cry,” said Vanya Reimer, who was among the first fans at the stadium—decked out in a blue jumpsuit and gold wig.
“I’ve been going to Bomber games since I think I was three. I’m part of the fan base that just bleeds blue and gold, so I’m just pumped to be back and ready to cheer them on.”
This is among the first large-scale sporting events in the province since the pandemic. Around 30,000 fully vaccinated fans were expected to attend the game.
Long lines of fans waiting to get into IG Field for the first Winnipeg Blue Bombers' game in nearly two years. Aug. 5, 2021. (Source: Danton Unger/CTV News)
Long lines of fans waiting to get into IG Field for the first Winnipeg Blue Bombers' game in nearly two years. Aug. 5, 2021. (Source: Danton Unger/CTV News)
Those attending had to show their immunization card and photo ID to get in.
For Bombers’ fan Judy, who was one of the health-care professionals involved in handing out thousands of COVID-19 vaccine doses to Manitobans
to be at the game Thursday night was a welcome moment after the work she put into the vaccine rollout.
“It was fabulous, it was great to see everybody step up and get their vaccines and I’m just hoping that more people do,” Judy said.
Bombers fans Nellie and Cherrille were both at the Blue Bombers championship game against the Ti-Cats in Calgary in November 2019.
“To come back and see the rematch, we are both just very excited,” Nellie said.
“We think it is going to be just as good,” Cherrille said.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers' fans walking toward IG Field for the first CFL game in nearly two years. Aug. 5, 2021. (Source: Danton Unger/CTV News)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers' fans walking toward IG Field for the first CFL game in nearly two years. Aug. 5, 2021. (Source: Danton Unger/CTV News)
And after a nearly two-year wait, Bombers finally got to see the championship banner unveiled.
“This is an amazing feeling to be honest with you, being here at the home opener and being able to see them raise their banner—it is an amazing feeling,” said Alvin, a Bombers’ fan while waiting in line to get into IG Field.
RAISING OF MÉTIS AND TREATY ONE FLAG, A PROUD MOMENT
Along with the unveiling of the 2019 Grey Cup championship banner, the Bombers also raised the Métis flag and the Treaty One flag for the first time.
For Richard Genaille, the minister of sport and youth with the Manitoba Métis Federation—it was a proud moment.
“Right here where we are standing—this is the heart land of the Métis nation,” Genaille told CTV News.
“Finally we’re going to have partnership with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and our flag is going to be flying high above IG Field.”
Genaille said he hopes fans who see the flag take the time to learn about the Métis nation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.