Winnipeg Blue Bombers announce 2022 Hall of Fame inductees
WINNIPEG, MB., July 6, 2022 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are pleased to announce the 2022 inductees into the club’s Hall of Fame: running back Fred Reid, defensive end Gavin Walls, and former president Lynn Bishop in the builder category.
“Congratulations to the three newest members of the Winnipeg Football Club’s Hall of Fame,” said Wade Miller, President & CEO. “Fred Reid and Gavin Walls were dynamic and consistent players during their years with the club – Fred as a game-breaking running back and Gavin as a ferocious pass rusher.
“Lynn Bishop oversaw the club during a difficult time for both the Blue Bombers and the Canadian Football League in the mid-to-late 1990s and played a critical role in guiding the organization through tumultuous times. I hope our fans are pleased with both inductees and the newest members of our hall of fame.”
The 2022 class will be honoured at the Blue Bombers Legacy Gala Dinner on Tuesday, October 11th at the RBC Convention Centre and at the annual Hall of Fame Game on October 8th when the Blue Bombers host the Edmonton Elks at IG Field.
PLAYER: FRED REID (2007-11)
Reid was signed by the Blue Bombers in 2007 upon the recommendation of a fellow Mississippi State product, linebacker Barrin Simpson. He started two games in his first season with the Blue Bombers when Charles Roberts was injured and appeared in all 18 regular season games and the playoffs – including the 2007 Grey Cup.
Reid would then become the feature back in 2008 and led the club in rushing in each of the next four seasons, including back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns with 1,371 yards in 2009 and 1,396 yards in 2010. His rushing total in 2010 led the entire Canadian Football League, while his 2009 numbers ranked him second to Calgary’s Joffrey Reynolds.
Reid was an East Division All-Star in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and a CFL All-Star in 2010 and ranks seventh on the Bombers all-time rushing yardage list with 4,505 yards.
Reid’s biggest moment as a Bomber came on August 21, 2009, in a game in Vancouver against the B.C. Lions. That night he carried 26 times for 260 yards – a single-game rushing record for the Bombers and the third-highest total in CFL history.
During his days with the Blue Bombers, Reid appeared in 83 games and scored 23 touchdowns. In addition to his rushing totals, he also had 99 receptions for 810 yards and 1,167 yards in kickoff returns. Reid is currently the running backs coach with the Ottawa RedBlacks.
GAVIN WALLS (2005-09)
Walls came to Winnipeg in 2005. He made an instant impression upon his arrival, leading the Blue Bombers in quarterback sacks with 12 – second only to B.C.’s Brent Johnson – and was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie.
Walls had three seasons of double-digit sack totals with the Blue Bombers, registering 12 in 2005, 11 in 2006 and 10 in 2008. He had 47 sacks in 82 regular season games with the club, a total that puts him in a tie for fourth all-time in Blue Bombers history. Walls was a three-time divisional all-star (2005, 2006, 2008) and in addition to being named the team’s Most Outstanding Rookie Player in 2005, was named the club’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player that year.
Walls was traded to the Montreal Alouettes in the winter of 2010, but never played for the team. He remained in Winnipeg after retiring, commuting to Fort McMurray while working in the oil and gas sector and is currently the general manager for a local co-op.
LYNN BISHOP (Builder)
Lynn joined the Winnipeg Football Club Board of Directors in 1992 and became part of the Executive Committee a year later. He became the WFC President in 1996.
The club was in a dire financial situation at the time and Bishop helped launch the ‘Third and Long’ business plan that pushed for a bigger season ticket base while implementing a refinancing plan.
Under Bishop’s tenure, the team also undertook several capital projects at old Canad Inns Stadium, including the construction of new administration and player facilities, dressing room improvements, theatre-style seating, the installation of an electronic scoreboard, new artificial turf, and a new Bomber Store.
