Latest news with #Bombers
Ottawa Citizen
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
5 Takeaways as Calgary Stampeders crush Winnipeg Blue Bombers again, become Grey Cup front-runners
Article content They're not just the Red and White. Article content The Calgary Stampeders are the Red, White and Blew out the Canadian Football League's so-called best team … Article content Article content Again. Article content For the second time in three weeks, the Stampeders blew away the vaunted Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday night. Article content This time it came in Bombers territory, 41-20 at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg. Article content The result moved the Stampeders to a wowzer 5-1 start on the season, matching their win total of a year ago. It widens the gap for them atop the CFL's West Division, as they have sped away from the Blue Bombers — now 3-2 — in the standings. Article content Article content The Red and White went into Winnipeg and beat a team that was an eye-popping 31-5 since the COVID pandemic. And … oh, yeah … that team has been West Division champs each of the last five years, twice winning the Grey Cup in that stretch. Article content Article content After all, the Bombers were humbled — humiliated even — by the upstart Stampeders two weeks back in the inaugural Stampede Bowl. Article content So the Horsemen had to believe a serious brush-back was coming from two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player Zach Collaros and the Blue Bombers on their own home turf in the CFL rematch. Article content Article content But they shook all that off and played their own game, dominating the Bomb and making themselves sudden front-runners to capture the Grey Cup. Article content Yeah … we said it. Article content 2) ZACH WHO? Article content Forget Collaros. Article content Vernon Adams Jr. is looking like the man at quarterback these days in the CFL. Article content In his first year as the Stamps pivot, Adams seems to be getting better with every passing game, underscoring his early season statement that he had yet to get comfortable with the offence in Calgary. Article content V.A. was a solid 16-of-24 for 267 passing yards and three touchdowns to best the Bombers. Article content While the stats aren't eye-popping, the plays he makes — both timely and worthy of the highlight-reel — certainly make heads spin, especially those noggins on the defence.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Bradentucky Bombers roller derby team to host information event for new members
Local roller derby team to host open house for new members The Bradentucky Bombers roller derby team will hold a recruitment night on July 24 from 7-9 p.m. at Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex. A Bombers spokeswoman said the event is a "no-pressure chance to learn about roller derby," meet the team, and see how to get involved in the action – on or off skates. "Our trainers and members will be going over what to expect as a new skater, gear and time requirements, and any questions potential new members may have," Muffy Lavens said. No skating experience is required and all skill levels and gender identities are welcome. Those interested in skating, officiating, or volunteering are encouraged to attend. Participants must be at least 18 years old. Founded in 2006 by Gigi RaMoan, the Bombers represent Bradenton and Sarasota and consist of skaters, referees, non-skating officials, and volunteers from Fort Myers to Tampa. For more information, visit Women's Resource Center grant to expand mental health care The Women's Resource Center has been awarded a $85,000 grant from the Bishop-Parker Foundation to expand access to mental health care, strengthen community navigation services, and elevate the voices of women. The funding includes $35,000 to provide 350 hours of mental health counseling for low- to moderate-income women, and $50,000 to support WRC's Community Navigation and Elevating Women's Voices initiatives that connect women to vital resources. 'This support enhances our ability to serve our community in a meaningful way,' said Ashley Brown, CEO of Women's Resource Center. 'By investing in services such as mental health and connecting clients to the services, we are fostering stability, resilience, and empowerment.' Last year, WRC made nearly 6,000 referrals to more than 300 partner organizations, including over 1,400 in-person sessions. To learn more, visit or call 941-747-6797. 3-year Community Foundation grant supports WBTT mission The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe recently received a three-year grant totaling $150,000 from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to support performances, education programs, and special events. In addition to supporting next three theater seasons, the grant will bolster the free Stage of Discovery summer camp and other education programs, the annual Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Fall Gala and April Fête, and the Juneteenth Arts Festival. 'Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is a dynamic, inspirational and influential organization that brings audiences together and lifts up youth,' Community Foundation VP Kirsten Russell said. 'This long-term grant is intended to help the theater sustain its work in the coming years.' Temple Emanu-El names two new board members Temple Emanu-El recently recently welcomed Elizabeth Bornstein and Dr. Joni Steinberg to the board of trustees. Bornstein, who has been a member of the financial assistance committee, will serve as financial secretary. She has been a counselor at Sarasota Memorial's Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute since 2001 and has served on several local boards. Steinberg has served on other synagogue boards and in the Sarasota nonprofit community. She spent over 40 years on Tulane University's faculty and was named Professor Emerita upon retirement. Temple Emanu-El also honored outgoing trustees Joanne Haiby and Rose Chapman. 'Although their terms as trustees have ended, we are grateful for their ongoing commitment to the temple,' president Denise Cotler said. Around and about · National Weather Service meteorologists are offering a free virtual training series ahead of peak hurricane season on June 21-24 with sessions at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 7 p.m. each day. The sessions cover key safety actions and how to interpret forecasts and alerts. Registration: · The Sarasota Jewish Chorale is looking forward to its fall season under new conductor Suzanne Stearns and accompanist Bruce Ensinger and is inviting new and former volunteer singers to participate. Rehearsals begin in September. Contact Ronnie Riceberg at president@ or Herb Fox at vp@ · Selby Gardens will host "The High Life: Contemporary Photography and the Birds" from July 19 through Sept. 14. Organized by the Foundation for the Exhibition of Photography and curated by photography experts William Ewing and Danaé Panchaud, the exhibition will feature roughly 70 works by more than 50 photographers from around the world. Info: · Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary in Myakka City received a $50,000 grant from the Bishop-Parker Foundation to repair fencing that was destroyed by hurricanes last year and complete upgrades. Founded in 2017, there are 181 animals at the sanctuary, including horses, pigs, tortoises, kangaroos, and prairie dogs. Info/tours: Submissions by Muffy Lavens, Su Byron, Sharon Kunkel, Rabbi Elaine Rose Glickman, Tina Adams, Robin Williams, Nancy Seijas-Kipnis, and Lisa Burns. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Bradentucky Bombers roller derby team to host recruitment event
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Yankees' Devin Williams dominant again after ugly start: 'I remember everything'
NEW YORK — On a roster which includes the iconic Aaron Judge, and fellow All-Stars Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Max Fried, perhaps the most pivotal player in the New York Yankees' pursuit of a 28th World Series championship just may be Devin Williams. After some rough patches, Williams, a two-time All-Star and 2020 NL Rookie of the Year, has been on a roll – reclaiming the closer spot, and in the process displaying the moxie which enticed the Bombers to acquire him from the Brewers in December. Williams started his Yankees career off poorly with a 9.00 ERA through his first 12 outings (10 earned runs in 10 innings), nothing like the 1.83 ERA he posted across his first 241 career games. He lost the Yankees' ninth-inning job temporarily, but has looked like himself in recent weeks, racking up 33 strikeouts to just four walks with a 1.90 ERA in his last 25 games, notching nine saves and five holds. Closing inherently forces you to face excruciating losses head on. But, contrary to the popular belief that the closer must possess a short memory, Williams digests each of his outings. 'I remember everything – good or bad,' Williams told USA TODAY Sports. 'It's being able to compartmentalize and move on from that more so than necessarily having a short memory.' It was a big adjustment moving from Milwaukee to starring on the brightest stage in New York. 'I think the outside noise can obviously be louder here,' said Williams. 'That's just New York in general. There (are) more opinions here, and if you feed into that, it can lock you up mentally. I think that's what the good ones do - they just block out everything.' And while there have been vocal detractors, fans and media alike, Williams seems mostly happy with the way he has been received, 'It's been good and bad, (but) for the most part it's been good,' said Williams. 'In person, people are very encouraging.' Williams said that encouragement has positively impacted his play. 'I always have a little bit of butterflies in every appearance until I get to the mound and throw my first warmup pitch, and then I'm good,' said Williams. 'They (the fans) bring a lot of energy and I feed off of that. I feel like internally I'm very amped up, but on the outside, it looks very calm, almost nonchalant, I guess. But yeah, definitely, I feed off the energy they have here.' Of late, the performances from the man dubbed 'The Airbender' because of his signature changeup, have provided the Yankees faithful with a myriad of reasons to supply additional energy. 'I'm extremely confident,' said Williams. 'I think it took a little bit of an adjustment period here – wanting to show what I can do, how I can help. I think I just tried to do a little too much and kind of lost who I was in the process. I've gotten back to that over the last two and a half months.' Yankees broadcaster Paul O'Neill noticed the change in Williams, and is bullish on the future of the 30-year-old St. Louis native. 'He's in a much better spot now than he was earlier in the year,' said O'Neill, who began his career in Cincinnati, before winning four World Series with the Yankees. 'There's always a transition coming to New York, but believe me, I think coming down the stretch here, he's going to be as good as ever.' Williams' dominance is linked to his primary pitches – the masterful changeup, which features an extremely high spin rate, and an effective fastball. His impressive arsenal of pitches, which also includes a cutter and sinker, has allowed Williams to post strikeout rates of around 40% during the past three full seasons. 'I didn't have very good numbers (against) him,' said Yankees teammate Paul Goldschmidt, who is 1-for-10 with six strikeouts against Williams. 'That changeup obviously is his calling card, but he throws 95 miles an hour too. He does a good job of keeping you off balance.' Goldschmidt called Williams 'a great teammate,' and the reliever has been thrilled to team up with the seven-time All-Star first baseman, as well as the rest of his Yankees teammates in New York. 'I am happy, I love New York City,' said Williams. Still, it may be one and done for Williams in New York. He will be an free agent after this season, and what his 2026 work address will be is anybody's guess. But while he is here, Williams will work hard to have his New York tenure remembered less for being the guy who busted the Yankees-imposed beard ban, and more for closing big games. 'I would love to be the guy to finish off the World Series; and bring another championship to New York' said Williams. 'That's the goal, right?'
Global News
a day ago
- Sport
- Global News
Well-rested Winnipeg Blue Bombers to welcome Calgary Stampeders
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have been waiting a long time for their chance to exact revenge after their first loss of the season. After the Stampeders stomped them 37-16 two weeks ago in Calgary, the Bombers have had to stew over the lopsided defeat through their bye week. They will finally get the opportunity for vengeance Friday night. 'We've had a long time to think about our mistakes and what we want to do differently,' said Bombers defensive back Evan Holm. 'It was nice to get away from football, but we got to watch a lot of film and see what they wanted to do and have answers.' Winnipeg rush end Willie Jefferson relished the idea of playing the Stampeders again so soon after being dominated last time out. 'After a loss, you always say, 'I want to play them again,' and we have the opportunity to play them the next game,' he said. 'They were at home, they had their crowd into it. They had a nice environment. Now, they get to come to Winnipeg, to Princess Auto Stadium in front of 30,000-plus and play us. We play really (well) in front of our fans, so we need to get that swing.' Story continues below advertisement The Bombers have had two weeks to study film of both that loss and Calgary's victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders last weekend. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'They're playing really great football right now,' said Winnipeg offensive lineman Pat Neufeld. 'They're playing really confident football. We're going to have our hands full, but we're always up for a challenge, especially at home.' That challenge will be even tougher as the Bombers will be missing star receiver Dalton Schoen, who was placed on the six-game injury list, and perennial all-star offensive lineman Stanley Bryant. They will be replaced by speedy Kody Case at receiver and Micah Vanterpool on the O-line. They will also be up against what is currently the best defence in the CFL. 'It's a great challenge for us,' said Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros. 'They've played exceptionally well the entire season. They've given up five touchdowns throughout the entire year. Their scheme is sound. They play it very well.' Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea concurred. 'It seems like they're flying around,' he said. 'They're bringing a lot of energy, they're taking the ball away. Obviously, they took the ball away from us (two interceptions returned for touchdowns). When you see them put it all together as a 12-man unit, they seem to be getting after it pretty good.' Story continues below advertisement Even Calgary head coach/GM Dave Dickenson seemed a little surprised that his defence has improved so quickly from last season. 'It's a completely different group,' he said. 'I actually thought it might take some time to gel. There was a little bit of the element of surprise because we knew what we were going to run and what kind of type of defence, and that certainly helped us. 'The turnovers are the biggest thing as far as helping our offence. I think we've had three pick-sixes and when you get the ball and score with it, that's pretty nice.' Calgary quarterback Vernon Adams, Jr., is expecting a battle. 'Of course, they're hungry,' he said. 'They're coming off a bye, a sold-out crowd. This is their home stadium … Winnipeg's going to come out with their best shot. It's going to be loud. It's going to be fun.' CALGARY STAMPEDERS (4-1) at WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (3-1) at Princess Auto Stadium, Friday, 7:30 p.m. CT HOMETOWN ADVANTAGE Winnipeg is 39-6 at home since 2019 … The Bombers are 17-0 coming off a bye week. (Regular season and playoffs) ROAD WARRIORS The Stampeders have won three straight road games, all by at least 10 points. WELCOME BACK MILT Bombers legend Milt Stegall will return to the TSN panel Friday night after taking time off following the sudden death of his son, Chase. Story continues below advertisement 'There are no words to even talk about what happened to him and his family and obviously, as Bombers, we put our hearts out to him,' Neufeld said. 'It takes a lot of courage to come back to work and get in front of a lot of people on TV and this crowd. Everyone here loves him, and we can't wait to see him.'
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Bombers look to bounce back
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were knocked down — flattened, actually — and, for the first time this season, they need to show they can get back up. The club was collectively tossed around in a lopsided 37-16 road defeat to the Calgary Stampeders in Week 5, but, after taking the bye week to dust themselves off, it has a chance to punch back when it hosts the Stamps for a rematch at Princess Auto Stadium on Friday (7:30 p.m.). BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea said the disappointment from the loss to the Calgary Stampeders in Week 5 has turned into determination for the team to play better. BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea said the disappointment from the loss to the Calgary Stampeders in Week 5 has turned into determination for the team to play better. The 21-point defeat was the worst that Winnipeg had suffered with Zach Collaros as the starting quarterback since Week 3 of the 2023 season when it lost 30-6 at home against the B.C. Lions, and just the second time it has lost by more than 20 points since he was traded here in 2019. Making it worse, they've had to sit with that performance for two weeks. While the Bombers will have revenge on their mind, one thing is certain: it won't come easily. The Stampeders have made it known that they are, in fact, legit, rolling into Week 7 with a 4-1 record after another dominant performance against the Saskatchewan Roughriders last week. That leaves an opportunity for the 3-1 Bombers to make a statement of their own on Friday and remind the league that they will be in this fight for the long haul. 'I wasn't with them during the bye, but I imagine they were disappointed post-game, I imagine they flushed it as quickly as they could,' head coach Mike O'Shea said earlier this week. 'They were happy to be back, they put some work in — I think that disappointment has turned into the realization that they can play better, and they're determined to do that.' There is plenty of intrigue buzzing around these two West Division foes leading up to kickoff, so let's tee it up with the latest edition of 5 Storylines. It was trending this way all week, but it doesn't make the news any easier to swallow. The Bombers will be down two of their top offensive players in this one, as receiver Dalton Schoen (knee) and left tackle Stanley Bryant (ankle) have been moved to the six-game and one-game injured list, respectively. Schoen's injury is certainly more concerning at this point, given he missed the entire 2024 season with a torn ACL. He exited the Week 5 contest against Calgary after a routine play where he leaped for a catch and fell to the ground, but took his time getting up. There is no confirmation that this injury is as serious as last year's, however, and O'Shea said it's not season-ending. 'No. Like all those six games, we can pull them off whenever,' he said Thursday. As for Bryant, O'Shea is confident that the 39-year-old could return next week. 'It's challenging, for sure,' Collaros said. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive lineman Micah Vanterpool slides into the left tackle position, replacing an injured Stanley Bryant. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive lineman Micah Vanterpool slides into the left tackle position, replacing an injured Stanley Bryant. 'Stan is the most decorated offensive lineman in the history of our league, so having to fill in for him is not an easy task. Again, I think it's more so just on a communication level, not necessarily a skill set thing. And, although Stan is unbelievable, Micah (Vanterpool) has been in that room now for a year and a half, and has really gelled with those guys, and I think he'll do a great job. 'When a guy like Dalton goes down, for a quarterback and somebody you really depend on for a lot of what goes on in a game plan, it makes it difficult, for sure. But again, I just think it's harder on a human level, like, I can't really ever get over stuff like that. I just feel for guys when they have to miss a week of work, because… you put so much time in the off-season, you only have so many opportunities, and… there's just not a lot of opportunities in this game, so it's tough.' Replacing the trusted veterans is a pair of unheralded second-year talents in receiver Kody Case and lineman Vanterpool. Case, 26, will make his season debut. He dressed for three games last year as he operated as the Bombers' returner. Case returned this spring and put together an impressive training camp before going down with an ankle injury that forced him to miss both pre-season contests. The 5-10, 178-pound pass-catcher's greatest attribute is his speed, which he showcased a few times in practice this week. HEYWOOD YU / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Kody Case will make his season debut as he steps in for an injured Dalton Shoen. HEYWOOD YU / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Kody Case will make his season debut as he steps in for an injured Dalton Shoen. Meanwhile, Vanterpool, 26, has started two games at left guard this season and performed well in both cases. The 6-5, 325-pounder is as versatile as they come, capable of playing guard and tackle on both sides of the line, which makes his slide to left tackle unsurprising. 'I just do my process,' Vanterpool said. 'When I say my process, I work both sides. I work guard, tackle, right and left, ever since I've been in college. Every time I'm doing drills, I make sure I get some tackle reps, I get some guard reps, regardless of the week.' Gabe Wallace will plug in at left guard for Vanterpool. It's the third different offensive line combination the Bombers have run out this season. Rookie American defensive end Jay Person was also elevated to the active roster and is expected to make his CFL debut. The Stampeders won't use it as an excuse, but the club will be working at a slight disadvantage of not having a full week to rest and prepare for their rematch with the Bombers. Calgary's Week 6 contest against Saskatchewan was scheduled for Friday, July 11, but poor air quality in Regina — owing to smoke from wildfires in surrounding areas — delayed the matchup until Saturday. It might not sound like a big deal, but in a physical sport where collisions are akin to car crashes, every day of rest matters. Whether one less day of rest impacts the game remains to be seen, but it's noteworthy, nonetheless. The Bombers' record when coming off a bye week will continue to be a storyline until they show a reason it shouldn't be. The club is a gaudy 18-1 in its return from a week off since 2017, which is the best in the CFL by a wide margin. It was the second bye week this season for the Bombers, who already bested the B.C. Lions in their return from a Week 1 bye, so the team should be well-rested for this matchup. Hopefully, players enjoyed their most recent break, because now the Bombers will play 11 games in a row before they enjoy another bye week. The Bombers' defence has been the class of the CFL for years, finishing as the No. 1 scoring defence in each of the last four seasons. So far, that moniker belongs to Calgary. Entering Week 7, the club has allowed a league-best 91 points, and has not given up more than one offensive touchdown in a game thus far. In fact, the Stamps' defence has allowed just five drives that resulted in touchdowns through five games (68 possessions). That 7.4 per cent rate is the best of any club since the CFL began publishing this data in 2008. The Bombers have already felt the wrath of the league's No. 1 defence, as Collaros tossed two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns, and the club was held to its lowest point total of the young season in their last meeting. 'It seems like they're on the same page, they're flying around,' said O'Shea. 'I think they're an excitable group, like they're bringing a lot of energy, they're taking the ball away. Obviously, they took the ball away from us. I mean, when you see them put it all together, just as a 12-man unit, they seem to be getting after it pretty good.' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 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.
