1 week Ago By Scott Billeck
Charles Roberts hopes he did things right during his career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Judging by the ovation he received on Saturday from a sold-out crowd and his name etched into the team’s record books, he did just fine. Roberts, 45, was inducted into the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Ring of Honour during halftime at the Banjo Bowl.
“I’m a little nervous to be back,” Roberts said. “Haven’t been around so many people in a long time.” His words were met like his footwork once was—with elation.
“It was an unexpected call but very welcomed,” Roberts, already in the Blue Bombers Hall of Fame, said. “I really appreciated my time here.” Roberts played for the Bombers from 2001-2008 and did big things for the club despite his diminutive stature (5-foot-6, 177 pounds).
He eventually became the team’s all-time leader in rushing yards (9,987) and rushing touchdowns (64). A California native now doing insurance verification for the health system at UCLA, he was a seven-time divisional all-star and a six-time CFL All-Star and was named the league’s most outstanding special teams player in 2001, along with the East Division’s top player and top rookie. Roberts led the league in rushing three times (2003, 2005, and 2006), surpassing 2,000 yards from scrimmage in all three of those seasons.
He also went six straight seasons with 1,000 yards rushing, including four straight from 2003-2006 when he rushed for more than 1,500. “The thousand-yard rushing seasons,” Roberts said of his biggest accomplishments. “As a running back, that would have always been the staple, to say that you’re doing your job.
“Being able to make a mark on special teams earlier in my career to get the career started. And just being someone to be counted on as far as picking up first downs.” Like others during that era, his only regret was missing out on ending the Grey Cup drought.
“They went on a successful run after I left,” Roberts said. “People like Milt (Stegall), Doug Brown, even Wade (Miller). We put our heart and soul into the game and unfortunately, it didn’t go our way while we were playing.
But I’m happy the organization returned to Grey Cup glory. Hopefully, they continue on that success.” Roberts was traded to B.
C. for the final half of the 2008 season and retired that offseason. He still holds affection for the old Winnipeg stadium and the surrounding area, but he likes what the Bombers have done with their new digs.
“I wish I would have been a part of that also, but it really is a great thing for the city of Winnipeg,” he said. scott.billeck@kleinmedia.
ca X: @scottbilleck.
