Years with the Bombers: 1991-2007, 2009
Position: Kicker
Currently resides: Winnipeg
Occupation: Co-Host/Producer of ‘The Big Show’, TSN 1290
Family: Wife: Janet; Son: Trey (11)

5 Quick Facts about Troy Westwood

1. The Bombers selected Westwood in the 6^th round, 48^th overall, in the 1991 CFL Draft. Born in Dauphin, Westwood graduated from Lord Selkirk High School and attended Augustana College in South Dakota. In addition to setting school kicking records, he was also selected to the Academic All-North Central Conference Team in 1989 and 1990.
   Westwood was inducted into the Augustana Hall of Fame in 2011.
2. Westwood was also a gifted soccer player in his youth, having played for the provincial team and then being part of a pool of players identified for the Canadian U18 national team. He was drafted by the Winnipeg Fury of the Canadian Soccer League.
3. It was Westwood’s original inspiration that led to the creation of the Banjo Bowl. On the eve of the 2003 West Division Semi-Final between the Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders, he referred to our neighbours as ‘banjo-pickin’ inbreds.’ Westwood later doubled down on that with an ‘apology’: “I had referred to the people of Saskatchewan as a bunch of banjo-pickin’ inbreds. I was wrong to make such a statement, and I’d like to apologize. The vast majority of the people have no idea how to play the banjo.”
   The Bombers, seeking a marquee regular season home game to rival the annual Labour Day Classic in Regina, turned Westwood’s comments in the Banjo Bowl, which first debuted in 2004. The 16^th edition goes September 7^th.
4. Westwood’s interests go far beyond football and soccer. He was the lead singer for the band ‘Eagle & Hawk’ and later as a solo artist under the name ‘Little Hawk.’ He has also boxed, driven a race car and tap danced. These days he is a co-host and producer of TSN 1290’s ‘The Big Show’.
5. Westwood was a CFL All-Star in 1992 and a divisional all-star in 1992, 1993 and 1994. He was the named the Bombers Most Outstanding Canadian in 1992 and 2003 and the team’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player in 2003.
   He remains the Bombers all-time leading scorer (2,748 points) and was inducted into the club’s hall of fame in 2011.

Fondest memory playing for the Bombers:

Walking into the locker room for the first time once the veterans arrived. Just a few years before that I was selling popcorn and peanuts walking up and down the stairs of old Canad Inns Stadium.

So, walking into that locker room and seeing the likes of Greg Battle, James West, Tyrone Jones, Rod Hill, Chris Walby, David Black, Lyle Bauer, Stan Mikawos, Rick House, James Murphy, Bob Cameron, and Trevor Kennerd… that was a surreal moment I will never forget.

Proudest football accomplishments:

Hmm… coming back from the devastation of the 2001 Grey Cup. The mental war and all that it encompassed was a personal journey that impacted me profoundly. The disappointment was brutal. The strength in coming back added a piece to me that will benefit me for the rest of my life.

Also, playing the role I did in helping to ignite things that led to the Banjo Bowl and be associated with that is a real cool thing. I have had lots of fun with that over the last 15 or so years. The 55-yard game winner with no time left at home vs. the Roughriders was pretty cool too.

Proudest non – football accomplishment:

It’s not an accomplishment, but I am most proud of being Trey’s dad.

Favourite hobby/ pastime:

Playing soccer and hockey.

Prized football possession:

My jersey from the 2007 Grey Cup. That game meant a lot to me. Love those jerseys too…gold with the navy blue number and nameplate.

Four former teammates you’d love to have dinner with again:

I can’t do this. There is no way I could reduce this to four of the fellas. I would have to call the restaurant and reserve the private room for the following: Bob Cameron, Trevor Kennerd, Jon Ryan, Chris Walby, Dave Black, Stan Mikawos, Rod Hill, Matt Dunigan, Elfrid Payton, Less Browne, James West, Greg Battle, Sam Garza, Charlie Roberts, Milt Stegall, Robert Gordon, Michael Richardson, Duane Forde, Wade Miller, Khari Jones, Brian Clark, Steve Zatylny, Craig Harrison, and Guy Battaglini.

There’s a whole lotta fun in that group, that’s for darn sure.

Most talented Bomber player you played with was:

Two guys I need to point out:

1. What Charlie Roberts accomplished at his size and as a guy who I never once saw workout was remarkable. His quickness and lateral movement was mind blowing.
2. Jon Ryan, the year before he left for the NFL was out of this world. The sheer power he produced was something I had never seen before.

Bomber coach who had the most influence on you:

Cal Murphy. Loved his perpetual intensity. Yes sir. No sir. Awesome.

What you miss about playing football:

The boys. So many of the wonderful memories are related to hanging out with the boys.

What you don’t miss about playing football:

Naked O linemen.