WINNIPEG — It’s OK to call Bob Irving a legend.
He may not agree with you, but after four decades behind the microphone at 680 CJOB calling the play-by-play for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers – he’s earned it.
Now, “Knuckles” as he’s affectionately referred to is being honoured by the team.
Wednesday Sept. 21 at the Blue Bombers Legacy Gala Dinner, Irving will be inducted into their Hall of Fame as a Builder.
“I feel a real kinship and real affiliation with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers,” said Irving. “I think anyone who’s done play-by-play for so long feels the same way.”
He’s spent a total of 43 years calling it as he sees it.
And now it’s time for the club to call his name as he enters their hallowed hall.
“It was a unanimous decision obviously to put Bob on there,” said former Bomber and HOF committee member Bob Cameron. “He’s done so much outside of the play-by-play stuff for the Bombers over the years.”
Irving adds the Bombers induction to his already long list of achievements that include; a recipient of the Order of Manitoba and induction into the CFL’s Hall of Fame.
Now Irving’s name will be etched as a “Builder” along with others like Paul Robson and Cal Murphy.
Irving has heard it – and seen it all with the club.
Even after going through what have been “forgettable” seasons, it hasn’t been enough for him to call it quits.
“Here’s the thing I guess,” he said. “Every game is different and every time you’re going to broadcast a game the possibilities are endless. The Bombers might even win and it might be exciting! And so even when they’re losing you still look forward to the next game and putting the headsets on – I call it my own private heaven.”
And while “heaven” can also take the form of wins on the field. There’s been plenty of off the field special moments for him as well.
“Moving into this new stadium had been really exciting,” said Irving. “This Investors Group Field is a spectacular venue and as a Winnipegger and someone who is close to the Bombers I think it’s the best in the country.”
For regular listeners of CJOB and fans of the Bombers, it would be hard to imagine a game without hearing the voice of Bob Irving. Or see him on the field, in the locker room or up in the press box.
Irving has a hard time imagining not being there too.
“They say when you’re ready to retire you will know you’re ready to retire,” he laughed. “I hope they’re right because right now I don’t feel like I’m ready and I don’t know how it’s going to feel but I know I’ll miss it.”
There’s no doubt they’ll be a void with big shoes to fill once he moves on.
Irving will be inducted along with former lineman Bob Molle, and John Helton who played with the team from 1979-1982.
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