CFL Week kicked off in Winnipeg Wednesday with a Hall of Fame reception. To celebrate the event, a couple of loyal Winnipeg fans were rewarded with tickets to the gala and the promise of priceless memories.
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Don Ramage has been a Blue Bomber season ticket holder since 1948. Over the last 70 years, he’s only missed a handful of games.
CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie shared words of gratitude at a special presentation Tuesday.
“You have been a fantastic and loyal Canadian Football League and Bomber fan for a very long time and I’d like to give you that,” Ambrosie said, handing the 92-year-old a football.
He then stepped aside as the Grey Cup trophy entered the room.
“I hope you are looking after that well,” Ramage said of the coveted cup.
Of all the championship games he has seen over the years, the Mud Bowl was a standout in Ramage’s memory.
“It took two days to play, and there was so much water and everything, we could have been losing them to drowning,” he said.
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Ambrosie said ultimately the game of football belongs to the fans, which led to a second surprise visit.
“I was shocked, I was surprised, I was in awe…” long-time fan Matthew Rasmussen said as the commissioner showed up at his Winnipeg home.
In addition to the Grey Cup, Ambrosie shared the visit with Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea, creating for Rasmussen a new and heart-felt football memory.