Cal Murphy

Cal Murphy. . , This statue commemorates and honours Cal Murphy, a man who contributed so much to Winnipeg and the Blue Bombers in his 14 years with the club. He was a leader in every sense: in his dealings with people, in his fierce determination, and in his commitment to preparation and execution. , Born in Winnipeg, Murphy played quarterback and defensive back at the University of British Columbia before a stint with the B.C. Lions in 1956., He began coaching at the high school level at his alma mater, Vancouver College, and then moved on to coaching at the NCAA level before returning to the CFL in 1974 with the Lions. Murphy joined the Montreal Alouettes in 1977 and the Edmonton Eskimos a year later, and was part of six Grey Cup championships from 1977 through 1982., Murphy was named head coach of the Bombers in 1983, and in his first two years at the helm was named the CFL’s Coach of the Year and helped end the club’s 22-year Grey Cup drought in 1984. He became General Manager in 1987, a position he held until 1996, and returned to the sidelines in a dual role in 1993. , In Murphy’s 14 years with the club, the Bombers appeared in five Grey Cups, winning in 1984, 1988 and 1990. An innovator both on and off the field, Murphy was a driving force in the City of Winnipeg being awarded its first Grey Cup game in 1991, a trendsetting concept which proved to be a financial boon for the organization and the CFL. , Murphy underwent a heart transplant in 1992 and still returned to lead of the club with his ever-present famous smile and laugh., Inducted into the Winnipeg Football Club Hall of Fame in 2002 and into the Canadian Football League Hall of Fame in 2004, Murphy continued to be active in football right up to his passing in 2012., ”Kindly Cal”, whose motto was “Faith, Family, and Friends” will be forever remembered as a tireless champion for Winnipeg, the Blue Bombers, and the Canadian Football League.