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The sold-out Banjo Bowl is going to have some added excitement next month.
Seven-time all-star, Charles Roberts is set to be inducted in the Blue Bombers' ring of honour on Sept. 7 against the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Princess Auto Stadium.
Roberts led the Canadian Football League in rushing in 2003, 2005, and 2006 after making his debut for the Bombers in 2001, where he would spend most of his eight-year career.
“This is a big deal for me, I’m humbled and I’m very appreciative that I’m being honoured as one of the legends of the organization,” Roberts said Monday in a release. “All those years ago when I first came to Winnipeg it never dawned on me that I’d receive a call 20 years later informing that I’d be saluted in this way by being added to the ring of honour."
“So many guys come up to Canada and want to use it to get back to the NFL. After my first year in Winnipeg, I didn’t want to be anywhere else because I was so comfortable thanks to the fans, my teammates, and the people in that community. I had found a home.”
With six straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons for the blue and gold, Roberts finished with 9,987 career rushing yards as a Blue Bomber. He ranks second in touchdowns with 64 behind Milt Stegall's 79.
Roberts wrapped up his CFL career with the B.C. Lions and sits sixth on the CFL's all-time rushing list with 10,285 yards. He becomes the 16th member of the Bombers' ring of honour.
Blue Bombers president and chief executive officer Wade Miller says in a news release, “The Winnipeg Football Club is absolutely thrilled to add such a spectacular player to our ring of honour.”