Jeremaine Copeland to join former teammate Lewis in Canadian Football Hall of Fame
Copeland was named Thursday to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025, which also includes offensive linemen Bryan Chiu and Jovan Olafioye, defensive back Scott Flagel and linebacker Darryl Hall, along with former official Glen Johnson and longtime Regina Rams coach Frank McCrystal as builders.
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Winnipeg Free Press
06-08-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Feeling better: Bryant back at practice after ankle injury
There are few things Stanley Bryant has yet to experience in a career that will eventually be immortalized in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Standing on the field in street clothes for a month in the middle of a season was one of those things, and he hopes it never happens again. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers' star left tackle returned to practice on Monday for the first time since exiting the club's Week 5 contest against the Calgary Stampeders. Bryant said he 'tweaked' his ankle in the first half and played through it until, presumably, the pain became too much to bear. He left in the fourth quarter, long after the game had gotten out of hand. 'Just something that happened right before the half. Fought through it a little bit and just decided to come out, and just been dealing with it so far,' Bryant said, after the Bombers' first practice in preparation for their final meeting with the Stampeders in Calgary on Saturday (7 p.m. CT). 'Everything is feeling better. Back to normal. Back to the same old.' That sounds like a player who is gearing up to play, even if Bryant gave the Bomber-like, 'We'll see,' shortly after. Bryant has missed multiple games in a season before, but never three in a row. While being on the sidelines ate away at him, it did provide a brief glimpse into what life could look like after the 39-year-old's playing days are over. 'It was a very different perspective. I've never missed that much time before in my career,' he said. 'So just sitting back — kind of in coach mode, it felt like — helping guys out, seeing things from a different point of view. I think it helped. I helped on the sideline as much as I could. 'I mean, it was cool, but not something that I'm ready to join yet.' 'Everything is feeling better. Back to normal. Back to the same old.'– Blue Bomber left tackle Stanley Bryant The offensive line has played well in Bryant's absence. His replacement, Micah Vanterpool, started the first two contests at left tackle but also missed last week with an ankle injury. Down their top two options, the team asked Eric Lofton, historically a right tackle, to flip to the opposite side of the line. The Bombers have allowed nine sacks without Bryant in the lineup, but have continued to open up lanes for running back Brady Oliveira, who is averaging 5.17 yards per carry this season. 'Just guys trying to get in the groove. Get the run game going, protect, just doing everything better. Win our one-on-ones, just be the physical group that we are,' Bryant said of what he noticed in the offensive unit while sidelined. 'We had some guys step in positions for the first time, and it's just going to take some adjustments, but I think guys are getting equated to everything.' Joining Bryant back on the practice field were several notable names: quarterback Zach Collaros, who missed last week's contest with a neck injury; running back Peyton Logan, who hasn't practised since sustaining a thigh injury on the third day of training camp; defensive lineman Jamal Woods, who is on the six-game injured list; and long-snapper Mike Benson, who hasn't played since suffering a hip injury in the club's season-opener in Week 2. Collaros' participation early in the week leaves plenty of room for optimism about his chances of suiting up in Calgary this week. Head coach Mike O'Shea said it's a situation the team will continue to monitor. 'I think with these types of things, we're always gonna check in with him after practice, check with him again in the morning, and trust the player and trust (head athletic therapist) Al (Couture) and his staff — best in the league. So, let them work.' 'It was a very different perspective. I've never missed that much time before in my career.'– Stanley Bryant There were also numerous notable players not practising on Monday, beginning with defensive back Jamal Parker Jr., who walked with a dramatic limp and a crutch supporting his left leg. Parker Jr. was injured in the third quarter of last week's contest against Toronto. He missed all of 2024 with a torn ACL. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Defensive tackle Cam Lawson and defensive back Redha Kramdi also didn't practice, but O'Shea's lack of concern around both players would suggest Monday was a maintenance day. Meanwhile, defensive back Evan Holm was excused from the session. In receiver news, Dalton Schoen (knee) was running by himself in the end zone before practice started. He ended his brief session by cutting left and right to test both legs a few times. While he wasn't running at full speed, it was another promising step in his recovery. Meanwhile, Dillon Mitchell saw several reps with the first-team offence. Mitchell primarily aligned at wideout on the weak side of the formation, while Keric Wheatfall bumped into the slot. X: @jfreysam Joshua Frey-SamReporter Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh. Every piece of reporting Josh produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
05-08-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Feeling better: Stanley back at practice after ankle injury
There are few things Stanley Bryant has yet to experience in a career that will eventually be immortalized in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Standing on the field in street clothes for a month in the middle of a season was one of those things, and he hopes it never happens again. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers' star left tackle returned to practice on Monday for the first time since exiting the club's Week 5 contest against the Calgary Stampeders. Bryant said he 'tweaked' his ankle in the first half and played through it until, presumably, the pain became too much to bear. He left in the fourth quarter, long after the game had gotten out of hand. 'Just something that happened right before the half. Fought through it a little bit and just decided to come out, and just been dealing with it so far,' Bryant said, after the Bombers' first practice in preparation for their final meeting with the Stampeders in Calgary on Saturday (7 p.m. CT). 'Everything is feeling better. Back to normal. Back to the same old.' That sounds like a player who is gearing up to play, even if Bryant gave the Bomber-like, 'We'll see,' shortly after. Bryant has missed multiple games in a season before, but never three in a row. While being on the sidelines ate away at him, it did provide a brief glimpse into what life could look like after the 39-year-old's playing days are over. 'It was a very different perspective. I've never missed that much time before in my career,' he said. 'So just sitting back — kind of in coach mode, it felt like — helping guys out, seeing things from a different point of view. I think it helped. I helped on the sideline as much as I could. 'I mean, it was cool, but not something that I'm ready to join yet.' 'Everything is feeling better. Back to normal. Back to the same old.'– Blue Bomber left tackle Stanley Bryant The offensive line has played well in Bryant's absence. His replacement, Micah Vanterpool, started the first two contests at left tackle but also missed last week with an ankle injury. Down their top two options, the team asked Eric Lofton, historically a right tackle, to flip to the opposite side of the line. The Bombers have allowed nine sacks without Bryant in the lineup, but have continued to open up lanes for running back Brady Oliveira, who is averaging 5.17 yards per carry this season. 'Just guys trying to get in the groove. Get the run game going, protect, just doing everything better. Win our one-on-ones, just be the physical group that we are,' Bryant said of what he noticed in the offensive unit while sidelined. 'We had some guys step in positions for the first time, and it's just going to take some adjustments, but I think guys are getting equated to everything.' Joining Bryant back on the practice field were several notable names: quarterback Zach Collaros, who missed last week's contest with a neck injury; running back Peyton Logan, who hasn't practised since sustaining a thigh injury on the third day of training camp; defensive lineman Jamal Woods, who is on the six-game injured list; and long-snapper Mike Benson, who hasn't played since suffering a hip injury in the club's season-opener in Week 2. Collaros' participation early in the week leaves plenty of room for optimism about his chances of suiting up in Calgary this week. Head coach Mike O'Shea said it's a situation the team will continue to monitor. 'I think with these types of things, we're always gonna check in with him after practice, check with him again in the morning, and trust the player and trust (head athletic therapist) Al (Couture) and his staff — best in the league. So, let them work.' 'It was a very different perspective. I've never missed that much time before in my career.'– Stanley Bryant There were also numerous notable players not practising on Monday, beginning with defensive back Jamal Parker Jr., who walked with a dramatic limp and a crutch supporting his left leg. Parker Jr. was injured in the third quarter of last week's contest against Toronto. He missed all of 2024 with a torn ACL. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Defensive tackle Cam Lawson and defensive back Redha Kramdi also didn't practice, but O'Shea's lack of concern around both players would suggest Monday was a maintenance day. Meanwhile, defensive back Evan Holm was excused from the session. In receiver news, Dalton Schoen (knee) was running by himself in the end zone before practice started. He ended his brief session by cutting left and right to test both legs a few times. While he wasn't running at full speed, it was another promising step in his recovery. Meanwhile, Dillon Mitchell saw several reps with the first-team offence. Mitchell primarily aligned at wideout on the weak side of the formation, while Keric Wheatfall bumped into the slot. X: @jfreysam Joshua Frey-SamReporter Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh. Every piece of reporting Josh produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
02-08-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Sterling Sharpe gives fellow Pro Football Hall of Fame brother Shannon his gold jacket
Sterling Sharpe stood at the podium a few feet from his bronze bust, took off his new gold jacket and gave it to his fellow Pro Football Hall of Fame brother. Shannon Sharpe had given Sterling his first Super Bowl ring and now big brother was returning the favor on stage after the crowning moment of his football career. 'This is why I played football,' Sterling said, referring to his younger brother, who wrapped his arm around him and had tears streaming down his face. 'This is why I got out of bed; it wasn't work. It was because of this right here. Before I leave you, I want to do two things. The most precious gift I've ever received is the Super Bowl ring. … I wear this ring because of love. You gave me this not knowing you were going to get another one. And I prayed to God: 'Please, God, let him get another.' God blessed him with two. 'The second thing is, the last time I was here, you said that you were the only pro football player in the Hall of Fame that could say that you were the second-best player in your own family. I agree with that statement, but it would be an extreme privilege. … for you to be the only player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame with two gold jackets. You see, you have to learn to follow before you can lead.' Eric Allen, Jared Allen and Antonio Gates joined Sterling Sharpe as the Class of 2025 was inducted into football immortality during a ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, where the Los Angeles Chargers beat the Detroit Lions 34-7 on Thursday night to kick off the NFL preseason. Sterling Sharpe averaged 85 catches and 1,162 yards, finishing with 65 touchdowns in seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers. The wide receiver was named to five Pro Bowls and earned first-team All-Pro honors three times. A neck injury cut his career short and he waited a long time to get the call from the Hall. Shannon Sharpe, who played tight end for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, was inducted in 2011. They are the first brothers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jared Allen was the first player among the new class to take the stage after Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas led the crowd in singing 'Happy Birthday' to former Bills coach Marv Levy, who turns 100 on Sunday. Wearing his trademark cowboy hat, Allen talked about his motivation for success. 'Why is what makes you different; it's your long game,' he said. 'It's the motivation that drives you to do all necessary action steps to achieve your goal. My why can be summed up in three things: fear, respect and the pursuit of greatness. … I apply my why to everything in my life, to my walk with Christ, my marriage and being a father.' Jared Allen made five Pro Bowls, was a four-time All-Pro and had 136 sacks in 12 seasons with the Chiefs, Vikings, Bears and Panthers. His final game was Super Bowl 50, a loss by Carolina against Peyton Manning and the Broncos. Eric Allen, a six-time Pro Bowl cornerback who played for the Eagles, Saints and Raiders, was presented by one of his four sons. Allen, who had 54 career interceptions, including eight returned for touchdowns, gave the obligatory 'Fly! Eagles! Fly!' to support the Super Bowl champions who drafted him in 1988. 'I grew up in Philadelphia. I became a man there. I have a special gratitude for the organization,' Allen said. Allen also thanked current Raiders owner Mark Davis, who was in attendance. 'Al Davis had a statement: 'Commitment to excellence,' Allen said. 'It's all over our building in Las Vegas. We are trying to make sure we fulfill that destiny, we fulfill what Al Davis was about.' Gates closed out the day with a 23-minute speech that began with him saying he wouldn't cry but included several emotional moments. Gates, who was presented by Chargers owner Dean Spanos, never played a single down of college football yet ended up becoming the 23rd of 382 Hall of Famers who were undrafted by NFL teams. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. He thanked former Chargers tight ends coach Tim Brewster for discovering him after he led Kent State's basketball team to the Elite Eight. 'Tim Brewster saw something special in me. He was pretty sure that I could make the team. He was adamant that I'd be All-Pro in three years,' Gates said. 'You see, the thing is when switching sports or careers for that matter, it can be life-changing. The unexpected are often the most powerful ones because it can completely redirect your life if you're ready to take advantage and you're ready for the opportunity. Thank you to Coach Tim Brewster and Coach Marty Schottenheimer. They gave me an opportunity to play tight end in the NFL. Because of you, Coach Tim Brewster, NFL teams and NFL scouts will never look at college basketball players the same again.' Gates played all 16 of his NFL seasons with the Chargers, finishing with 955 catches for 11,841 yards and 116 TDs. He made the Pro Bowl eight times and was All-Pro three times, the first in just his second season. ____ AP NFL:
