Beloved Actor Carl Weathers, Former BC Lions Player Dies
Beloved actor and former CFL linebacker Carl Weather passed away Thursday in his sleep, according to his family, at the age of 76.
Weathers is best known for his portrayal of Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” franchise. He also recently had a prominent role in the hit “Star Wars" series “The Mandalorian” and starred in the Adam Sandler hit “Happy Gilmore."
Weathers also had a career in professional football, playing in both the CFL and NFL. Coming out of San Diego State, he played in parts of two seasons for the Oakland Raiders until being released in 1971. Weathers signed with the BC Lions, playing in 18 games through the 1973 season. He retired from pro football in 1974.
The Lions paid tribute to Weathers on social media Friday.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers,” according to the family statement. “Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life."
Edmonton Elks Sign Linebacker Romeo McKnight
The Edmonton Elks kept their focus on the front lines by signing defensive lineman Romeo McKnight on Friday.
McKnight makes his return to a CFL roster after missing the 2023 season. He was a member of the Calgary Stampeders in 2022, recording seven tackles and one sack in four games. The Stampeders released him during training camp ahead of last season.
McKnight went undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft and was signed by the Cleveland Browns. He had a short stint with the team before being released.
He played his last collegiate season with Charlotte in 2020 and was named an honorable mention All-Conference USA after recording 24 tackles, five tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks in six games.
He played at Illinois State in 2018 and 2019. He had 111 total tackles, 15 sacks, five pass deflections, and two forced fumbles in 26 games for the 49ers.
Edmonton announced the signing of offensive lineman Patrick Davis on Thursday.
Montreal Alouettes Sign Linebacker Myles Manalo
The Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes announced an agreement with 24-year-old linebacker Myles Manalo.
Manalo (6-2, 230) played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats from 2021-23. He totaled two special teams tackles.
The Burlington, Ont. Native was drafted by Hamilton in the sixth round of the 2021 CFL Draft (54th total).
Manalo played 21 games over two seasons for the Western University Mustangs (2017 and 2019), registering 70 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, one interception and two knockdowns. He helped Western capture the 2017 Vanier Cup.
“We are adding depth to our Canadian ratio,” Als general manger Danny Maciocia said. “Myles has been in the CFL for the past three seasons, he knows our league well and we are happy to have him join our team.”
Free-Agent Running Back Priority for Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes front office has been clear about wanting to “reload” the defending Grey Cup champions in 2024.
To that end, general manager Danny Maciocia plans to meet with running back William Stanback before the start of free agency. Stanback, 29, is coming off another productive season, running for 800 yards and two touchdowns.
He rushed for 68 yards and a score in the Grey Cup victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Stanback has spent five seasons total with the Als, coming back to the franchise in 2020 after a stint with the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders.
Montreal has 22 potential free agents. Free agency opens Feb. 13.
Blue Bombers QB Wants to Keep Gang Together
After falling 13 seconds short of another Grey Cup title, Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros made a plea to bring the gang back together.
So for his teammates going into free agency, consider how good it is in Winnipeg before moving on.
“The grass isn’t always greener,” Collaros told TSN earlier this week. “I put that in the ears of a lot of guys.”
The Bombers have been to four consecutive Grey Cups, which is a feat not seen in the CFL in more than 40 years. Winnipeg has lost the last two, including 28-24 to the Montreal Alouettes on a touchdown pass in the final seconds.
Bombers Running Back Considering NFL Move
Winnipeg Blue Bombers star Brady Oliveira could be leaving the defending West Final champs and go the NFL a shot, according to TSN reporter John Lu.
The free-agent-to-be running back is considering trying out with NFL teams to “potentially realize a lifelong dream.” Oliveira also said his return to the Winnipeg will be partially dependent on the continuity of the Blue Bombers offensive line.
Oliveira, 26, was recently received the Most Outstanding Canadian award after leading the CFL in rushing yards with 1,534 yards and rushing touchdowns with nine in 18 games. He’s been Winnipeg’s lead back for the last two seasons.
The Bombers lost 28-24 in the Grey Cup to the Montreal Alouettes.
How to Watch Grey Cup
The 110th Grey Cup between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Montreal Alouettes is Sunday, with kickoff slated for 6 p.m. ET. TSN’s live coverage begins at 1 p.m. ET with the network’s five-hour pregame show – Grey Cup Sunday. RDS’s coverage starts at 4 p.m. ET.
TUNE-IN DETAILS
(Country/Region | Broadcast provider)
- Canada | TSN, RDS
- US and International | CFL+
U.S. and international viewers will be able to catch all the action live on CFL+. The streaming service is available on desktop and mobile devices on CFL.ca, with no additional downloads or login services required.
Streaming options
- Canada English | TSN.ca and the TSN app
- Canada French | RDS.ca and the RDS app
- US and International | CFL+
Radio
- SiriusXM Canada | Canada Talks (channel 167)
- SiriusXM Canada | Attitude Franco (channel 163)
- 98,5 FM
- TSN 1050 Toronto
- TSN 1200 Ottawa
- TSN 690 Montreal
- 620 CKRM Regina
- CJOB, 680 Winnipeg
- CHQR, 770 Calgary FM/AM
- CHED, 630 Edmonton
- AM 1150-Kelowna
- Radio NL Kamloops
Historical Grey Cup Facts
Historical Matters
- This game will be the first-ever Grey Cup between any clubs from Montreal and Winnipeg (Only remaining true East-West GC matchup not to have ever taken place is BC vs. Ottawa)
- Montreal ended the CFL's longest active GC drought at 11 straight games without an appearance (2011-2022)
- Winnipeg is the 4th club to have reached 4 straight Grey Cups (Edmonton 6, 1977-82; Regina 5, 1928-32; Hamilton 5, 1961-65)
- The Alouettes overcame one of the largest gaps in regular season victories to win their Finals game.
Greatest Finals “upsets”:
Year -Gap Div. Final Winner Losing Team: Note
1989 - 7 Saskatchewan (9-9) Edmonton (16-2): From 3rd place
1981 - 6 Ottawa (5-11) Hamilton (11-4-1): Reached GC with poorest reg. season record
1988 - 5 Winnipeg (9-9) Toronto (14-4): Won Grey Cup
2023 - 5 Montreal (11-7) Toronto (16-2): Montreal's previous best was 3 fewer wins ('78, '49)
Grey Cup Officiating Crew Named
A crew made up of the season’s 11 highest-rated CFL officials will be taking the field for the 110th Grey Cup on Sunday at Tim Hortons Field.
110TH GREY CUP OFFICIATING CREW
Referee | #74 | Tim Kroeker
17th season | 271 games | 6th Grey Cup game, 1st at the Referee Position
Umpire | #24 | Troy Semenchuk
7th season | 117 games | 2nd Grey Cup game
Down Judge | #27 | Andrew Wakefield
9th season |135 games |3rd Grey Cup game
Line Judge | #63 | Rob Hill
18th season | 283 games | 5th Grey Cup game
Side Judge | #18 | Pierre Laporte
9th season | 157 games | 2nd Grey Cup game
Back Judge | #59 | Larry Butler
19th season | 306 games | 4th Grey Cup game
Field Judge | #37 | Jason Maggio
21st season | 354 games | 7th Grey Cup game
Backup Referee | #60 | Tom Vallesi
19th season | 322 games | 5th Grey Cup game
Backup Official | #19 | Chris Shapka
9th season | 153 games | 3rd Grey Cup game
Backup Official | #40 | Kevin Riopel
6th season | 61 games | 1st Grey Cup game
Backup Official | #73 | Brian Chrupalo
18th season | 296 games | 6th Grey Cup game
The crew will be supported by an off-field officiating staff:
Vice-President, Officiating – Darren Hackwood
Senior Manager, Football & Officiating Development – Laurence Pontbriand
Supervisor, Officiating – Don Cousens
Manager, Officiating & Replay Official – Al Bradbury
Video Official – Dave Foxcroft
Blue Bombers, Alouettes Grey Cup Sold Out
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced that the 110th Grey Cup at Tim Hortons Field on Sunday is sold out. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will take on the Montreal Alouettes at 6 p.m. ET.
This will be the first-time ever that teams from Winnipeg and Montreal have met in the championship game.
The championship contest, featuring Green Day in the Twisted Tea Grey Cup Halftime Show, will be available live across the nation on TSN and RDS – Canada’s home of the CFL, online through CFL+ for all international viewers, as well as on SiriusXM’s Canada Talks (ch. 167).
Per CFL policy, a limited number of tickets have been held back for use by the competing teams. Should any of these tickets be returned, they will be released and available for purchase on Ticketmaster.ca. For more information, please contact a Grey Cup ticket representative at (905) 547-2287 or tickets@ticats.ca.
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