Willie Jefferson was hunkered down in The Bomber Store Wednesday afternoon, serving as the ultimate hype man for season tickets, for Grey Cup champions 2021 gear… for everything Blue Bombers. The mammoth Blue Bombers defensive end stood there – a wrestling-style championship belt an arm’s length away – signing autographs and fist-bumping fans just as the Canadian Football League’s 2021 All-Star Team was officially announced.

Jefferson was one of 11 Blue Bombers named to the 58^th annual edition of the squad on Wednesday, after voting by 50 members of the Football Reporters of Canada and the league’s head coaches. Joining him on that star-studded cast are quarterback Zach Collaros, receiver Kenny Lawler, tackles Stanley Bryant and Jermarcus Hardrick and guard Pat Neufeld from the offence and defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat, linebacker Adam Bighill, safety Brandon Alexander, defensive back Deatrick Nichols and cornerback DeAundre Alford on defence.

“It’s amazing,” Jefferson began. “I mean, to win the Cup and do everything the way we planned to do it for the team and for the city and be celebrating and then to wake up and get more good news about your play for the CFL… that’s special. To have another All-Star notch on your belt as you go home for Christmas feels really good.”

The 11 Blue Bombers named CFL All-Stars is a franchise best dating back to the inception of the selections in 1962, surpassing the 10 players named in 1984 and 1987. The Bombers led the CFL in scoring in 2021 and gave up the fewest points in the league. In fact, their average of just 13.4 points per game was the lowest by a Winnipeg squad dating back to 1958.

“We pushed each other to be great,” said Jefferson. “We don’t expect anything but greatness from each other and you saw it on the field when we went out there and performed. We go out there and play our hardest for each other and when we do that, we really showcase our skills.”

Now the big question: how can this team with so many stars, so much talent – and so many pending free agents – get as many players back as possible to take a shot at a 3-peat?

“Hopefully we can get the CBA (collective bargaining) stuff settled with the league and then after that it will be about talking to the guys and see if we can get a good chunk of the guys back, just like we did after the pandemic,” said Jefferson. “Hopefully, we can do that again because this is a special team.”

Jefferson joined the Bombers in 2019 after two seasons in Edmonton and three in Saskatchewan. In his two years with Winnipeg he has been named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player once – in ’19 – has twice been named a CFL all-star and is a two-time Grey Cup champ, three-time including his 2015 title while with Edmonton.

“This was a really good decision to come here,” Jefferson said. “Me putting on another colour… that’s not even a thought right now. Blue’s looking good on me right now.”

THE BIG BLUE ALL-STAR CREW

QB Zach Collaros: The CFL’s Most Outstanding Player and Grey Cup MVP led the league in passing TDs and QB efficiency and finished second in passing yardage. The Bombers record in games he starts? Try 17-2, including playoffs.

WR Kenny Lawler: The only receiver in the CFL to crack the 1K mark, with 1,014 yards on 64 catches and including six TDs in just 13 games.

LT Stanley Bryant: Named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman in 2021 – the third time he’s been so honoured – and a first in league history. This is the sixth time he’s been named a CFL All-Star.

RG Pat Neufeld: The veteran and versatile guard earns his first CFL All-Star berth as part of a unit that surrendered the fewest sacks in ’21.

RT Jermarcus Hardrick: A heart-and-soul guy who also earns his first CFL All-Star Team nod. Part of a unit that protected the quarterback and helped the Bombers finish second in the league in rushing.

DE Willie Jefferson: Simply dominant again. See above for his accomplishments which now include four seasons being named a CFL All-Star

DE Jackson Jeffcoat: Sensational season in which he led the Bombers with nine sacks, forced a CFL-best four fumbles and added 26 tackles – six behind the line of scrimmage – and two pass knockdowns.

MLB Adam Bighill: Named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player for the third time in his career, Bighill just further added to his growing legacy. Like Bryant, he was named an all-star for the sixth time after leading the Bombers in tackles, adding two sacks, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and three tackles for a loss.

S Brandon Alexander: Really grew into the safety position after being moved there from halfback near the end of the 2019 season. He brings the thump to the position and added two picks and three pass knockdowns.

CB DeAundre Alford: Played both corner positions en route to being named the Bombers’ Most Outstanding Rookie. Led the Bombers with four interceptions and eight passes defended.

DB Deatrick Nichols: Made the jump from the XFL seem seamless and made two of the biggest plays in the ’21 Grey Cup win with a touchdown saving knockdown near the end of regulation and then a tip that led to Kyrie Wilson’s interception that sealed the championship.