~Jordy Cunningham
All eyes across Canada will be on the 108th Grey Cup on Sunday, a game that will feature Kelowna native Jesse Briggs.
The linebacker is set to play in his second consecutive Grey Cup for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as they look to win back-to-back championships against the Hamilton Tiger Cats. Winnipeg won in 2019, with no season in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last Sunday, they beat Saskatchewan 21-17 to advance to the final.
Briggs got his start in his hometown of Kelowna as he played for the KSS Owls, coached by Roy Anderson. He went on to play four seasons at McGill University for the Redmen where he was named their defensive player of the year in 2013. In May 2014, the Blue Bombers selected Briggs in the second round香蕉视频直播�17th overall香蕉视频直播攐f the CFL draft. Briggs surprised a lot of teams with his strength and athleticism and as a result, Winnipeg traded up in the draft to select him.
Briggs, now 31, has spent all seven of his professional seasons with the Blue Bombers. Until this year, he香蕉视频直播檚 been a fixture on Winnipeg香蕉视频直播檚 special teams. Through injuries to injuries to Americans ahead of him in the lineup, Briggs made the step up to linebacker this season, contributing 24 tackles on the CFL香蕉视频直播檚 best defence.
Briggs had a first in his career back in August when he celebrated his first career professional touchdown on a fumble recovery, which he ran 83 yards for the touchdown. While his stats aren香蕉视频直播檛 eye-popping, his versatility makes him a crucial player for the Blue Bombers.
Back in January, Briggs and the Blue Bombers agreed on a one-year extension. It香蕉视频直播檚 paid off as they look for their second straight title on Sunday.
The 108th Grey Cup will kick off on Sunday in Hamilton, Ontario at 3 p.m. Pacific time.
READ MORE: Lake Country香蕉视频直播檚 Iginla among 15 WHL Okanagan picks
READ MORE: Sicamous Eagles sanctioned by KIJHL for violating league香蕉视频直播檚 vaccination policy
Like us on and follow us on .
Want to support local journalism? Make a donation
