BOB IRVING WINS THE HUGH CAMPBELL DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP AWARD

WINNIPEG (November 26, 2015) – The man whose voice is synonymous with Canadian football in Manitoba has been honoured with the Hugh Campbell Distinguished Leadership Award.

Bob Irving, who has been calling Winnipeg Blue Bomber games for most of the past 40 years on CJOB radio, and broadcast CFL games on television as part of the Canadian Football Network in the late 1980’s, was praised as a broadcasting legend, a pillar of the community, and a Winnipeg icon.

“This gentleman has been – in the truest sense of the word – the voice of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, on air, at countless events, everywhere we go,” said Brock Bulbuck, Chairperson of the Winnipeg football club’s Board of Directors.

“And we, our fans, and the CFL, are so much better for it.”

The Hugh Campbell Distinguished Leadership Award is named for the renowned Canadian football player, coach and executive who was part of ten Grey Cup championships.

It is presented to someone who has strengthened Canadian football, the Canadian Football League, and their place in Canada’s sports culture.

“Tonight’s honouree has certainly done that, with purpose and professionalism,” said Bulbuck, who made the presentation on behalf of the entire CFL Board of Directors.

“And at the same time, he has strengthened this community, with many acts of kindness and charity.”

Irving, a member of the Order of Manitoba, was joined by members of his family, which includes wife Daye, children Kyle, Reid and Ashleigh, and seven grandchildren.

The announcement was made at the Shaw CFL Awards, one of several marquee events leading up to Sunday’s Grey Cup Championship game, featuring the Ottawa REDBLACKS and the Edmonton Eskimos. It will be broadcast at 6:30 p.m. ET on TSN and RDS in Canada and ESPN2 in the United States, Pacific Rim and the Caribbean, and ESPN on BT Sport in the UK and Ireland. The game is also available via YouTube outside ESPN markets in almost every major country.

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