14

1959 Grey Cup champions.
Circa 1959
Winnipeg Stadium, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

15

In 1960, Winnipeg finished the season with their best record ever, 14-2, but even with this strong showing did not reached the Grey Cup, ultimately losing to Edmonton in the Western Final.

In 1961 Winnipeg won 13 games, and returned to the Grey Cup, where they once again defeated Hamilton 21-14 to capture their sixth Grey Cup in team history.

16

Game action from the 1961 Grey Cup.
2 December 1961
CNE Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

17

The 1961 Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Circa 1961
Winnipeg Stadium, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

18

In 1962, Winnipeg once again faced Hamilton in the 50th Grey Cup, played in Toronto at Exhibition Stadium. This game would be remembered as the Fog Bowl, as unseasonably warm temperatures (9慢 / 48慚) brought on a dense fog so thick it became almost impossible for the players to see each other, let alone the ball. There was so much fog that the players reported being able to see only the bottom half of the opposition as they charged towards them. With a score of 28-27 for Winnipeg and 9:29 left in the fourth quarter, CFL commissioner at the time Sydney Halter, called for the game to be suspended, resuming the following day. The next day, the weather cooperated and the Bombers were able to hold onto their lead, winning the Grey Cup 28-27.

19

The 1962 Grey Cup winning team.
1962-1963
Winnipeg Stadium, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

20

A Cartoon rendering of the 1962 Grey Cup Game.
Circa 1962

Credits:
Don Finlayson

21

During the 1963 and 1964 seasons, Winnipeg did not get into the playoffs, finishing each season with a losing record (7-9 and 1-14-1 respectively). The 1965 season saw the Blue Bombers return to the playoffs with a 10-6 record and to the Grey Cup, facing Hamilton for the third time in the 1960s, and once again the weather conditions were less than ideal. High winds lead to the 1965 Grey Cup game being known as the Wind Bowl, and Hamilton was able to use the wind to their advantage. Winnipeg coach Bud Grant was so concerned about the wind that he conceded six points (three safeties), rather than having to kick into the wind. This proved to be a fatal error, as Hamilton won 22-16, but even with that loss in the Grey Cup, Bud Grant became the coach of the year. In 1966, Winnipeg finished with an 8-7-1 record, but did not return to the Grey Cup, losing to Saskatchewan in the West Final. The 1966 season was the last time Winnipeg would be in the playoffs for many seasons.

22

1967 to 1980 were low years for the Blue Bombers. In that time span Winnipeg made the playoffs a total of six times (1971, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1977, and 1978). After the subpar performance of the 1970s, the 1980s were a completely different story.

23

Winnipeg's first Grey Cup appearance since 1965 was in 1984, and once again played the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. In this Grey Cup, Hamilton had an early lead, leading after the first quarter 14-3, but Winnipeg came back, scoring 27 points in the second quarter, and won their eighth Grey Cup 47-17. After 18 seasons away from the Grey Cup, this victory was sweet for the Blue Bombers and their fans.

Winnipeg once again won the Grey Cup in 1988, defeating the BC Lions 22-21 in Ottawa.

In 1990, Winnipeg made their first Grey Cup appearance in this decade and went on to overpower the Edmonton Eskimos 50-11, winning their tenth Grey Cup.

Winnipeg returned to two Grey Cup in 1992 and 1993, losing both times in the big game in Calgary and Edmonton respectively. Those last two Grey Cup appearances were the last ones for the Blue Bombers in the 20th century.

24

1988 team photo of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Circa 1988
Winnipeg Stadium, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

25

Winnipeg and their fans celebrating their tenth Grey Cup.
25 November 1990
BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada