The Homecoming

July 18th, 2025

Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs Calgary Stampeders

It was a Friday night football game to remember, at least that’s how it was advertised. Former Blue Bombers linebacker Adam Bighill made his return to Winnipeg on the Stampeders bench. Bighill helped seal two Grey Cups for Winnipeg and his return was appreciated by the fans.

The bigger return that night was TSN analyst Milt Stegall. The crowd was uproarious welcoming him home for his first game after having tragically lost hos son at the beginning of the season. Prior to the game Milt was on the big screen and the crowd gave a massive, 30 thousand strong ovation for his return.

Milt Stegall is from Cincinnati, but Winnipeg will always welcome him home. 

Stegall joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as a slotback in 1995 and stayed until 2008. In that time he brought in 855 receptions for 15,187 yards, second best all time, and a CFL record 144 receiving touchdowns. Milt also holds the league record for most receiving touchdowns in a season with 23 in 2002 and the most touchdowns overall with 147. All of it he did in Blue and Gold.

When the Hug Cam came on at the game it went from fan to fan asking to see them hug their loved ones until it went to Milt and the panel on the sideline. They all hugged Milt and the camera stayed on them a long while. The stadium roared and cheered. They didn’t win ‘best hug’, perhaps due to some contractual obligation to a sponsor, but we all know which hug we were happiest to see. The Blue Bombers were the only CFL team he ever suited up for, something Bomber fans will always appreciate him for.

Four Stampeders fans a few rows up loved the game. Not many others at Princess Auto Stadium shared the sentiment as the Bombers lost 41-20.