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News June 23, 2026

48-Hour Primer | Game 3 vs. Elks

Brady Oliveira continues to wave the flag for the value of running backs in the CFL; photos by Cameron Bartlett

@EdTaitWFC

We first got a glimpse of the Brady Oliveira-Justin Rankin mutual admiration society back in early April when two of the Canadian Football League’s best ball carriers sat side by side for a media content capture event in Hamilton.

And to briefly sum up that session, Oliveira — the Winnipeg Blue Bombers bulldozer — heaped praise upon Rankin of the Edmonton Elks, and vice versa, in what was a window on how the rival running backs witness each other.

A clip from that worth repeating today in advance of the two stars being showcased in Thursday’s Week 4 matchup at Princess Auto Stadium featuring the unbeaten Elks (2-0) against the Blue Bombers (1-1):

“His IQ is so crazy,” said Rankin of Oliveira in the spring. “My first year we had a coach that had a whole section of clips that were just labelled, ‘Brady.’ It was all the things that he did right from his patience to trusting the hole, trusting the scheme, getting the nitty-gritty yards.

“I’m telling you, man, we used to watch Brady all season long. Any time we would start to get too fast and not as patient, our coach would have us go in there and we wouldn’t even watch film with the team, we would just watch Brady’s clips. We just watched Brady’s clips at how he’s so patient and he would just hit every hole exactly where it was supposed to be, every play where it was exactly where it was supposed to be.

“Over the course of a game after a while they just start breaking. It’s five (yards), five, five, then 20, 30 because nobody wants to tackle this man and after a while they get tired. They get tired because he’s hitting it where he’s supposed to hit it every single play.

“Then his pass pro (pass protection). His pass pro speaks for itself. I want to pass pro like that. I’ve got to get my pass protection like Brady.”

Justin Rankin in action against the Blue Bombers

That sets up this week perfectly and on Monday Oliveira offered this on Rankin:

“Great dude. Even when he came into this league a few years ago, we connected through social media, and I’ve stayed in touch over the years. I’m a huge fan of his game. He’s definitely a special player and it’s really cool to see his growth as a back. He’s doing his thing right now.

“I loved it, seeing another running back in this league doing his thing and knowing him personally over the last few years he’s a good dude so to see him getting what he deserves is really cool to see. I’ve told him this before, but I definitely envy his speed. It’s a thing of beauty — definitely not my style but it’s very nice to watch.”

Oliveira then took the opportunity during his media availability to pick up the running back flag and wave it vigorously. Yes, while CFL observers are rightly praising the work of the quarterbacks around the league and receiver play — particularly by Canadian pass catchers — the dudes who tote the rock shouldn’t be overlooked here, either.

Consider this: a year ago six running backs in the CFL eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark – Dedrick Mills of Calgary (1,409), A.J. Ouellette of Saskatchewan (1,222), B.C.’s James Butler (1,213), Oliveira and Greg Bell (then of Hamilton, both at 1,163) and Rankin (1,013). That was highest total since of 1K backs in the CFL since seven hit that mark in 2009 and marked just the sixth time since 1958 a half dozen running backs or have reached the 1,000-yard mark.

Rankin is off to a scorching start this year with 281 yards and three TDs along the ground for the Elks in their 2-0 start, with Mills, Hamilton’s Larry Rountree II, Ouellette, Oliveira and Toronto’s Samuel Hicks all on early 1K paces.

“I just want running backs to get more flowers because I do really believe it’s a very important position on the football team,” Oliveira said. “Everyone says they’re a dime a dozen, but when you have a really good one you need to protect them. Like Rankin, for example, he looks like their whole offence right now.

“I definitely do root for the guys, I truly do. Whenever I see running backs across the league putting up great performances it’s really exciting to watch. It’s just good for the league whether you’re a running back or receiver… you look at the first couple weeks of the season so far, offences in general are playing phenomenal football and it’s amazing for the league.

“I’m a big cheerleader when we’re not playing, for other guys around the league to continue to grow this amazing league.”

CHASING 16: Let’s push for another sellout Blue Bombers fans. The club announced today it has reached the 30,000 mark in tickets sold for Thursday’s matchup, inching closer towards the 32,343 capacity.

The Blue Bombers are in the midst of a club record for consecutive sellouts, now at 15.

ICYMI: A big announcement Monday afternoon regarding amateur football here in Manitoba. You can watch the press conference here: