Family and friends are mourning the loss of a former Winnipeg Blue Bomber who played not only a large role on the field but also in the team's chapel program while in Winnipeg.
Craig Roh's wife, Chelsea, announced his passing Wednesday morning on Instagram, saying that the former defensive end died on Monday, February 26.
"He was fully surrounded by love and fought until his very last breath," Chelsea writes in the post. "Craig battled Stage IV colon cancer for 18 long months, diagnosed when Max was only 9 months old."
The couple had battled infertility issues for years, and was something both were very open with, suffering the loss of four babies during pregnancy. They underwent IVF treatments and finally welcomed their son Max in September of 2021.
"I won’t ever understand why God allowed this to happen, but I have to trust in His goodness that is not determined by circumstances," Chelsea says. She describes his faith in the post, saying "Craig’s faith in Jesus was unwavering for nearly all of his life and it was a sight to behold. Even though he left the world at only 33, Craig lived an amazingly full life."
Craig went undrafted in the 2013 NFL draft, and was signed as a free agent by the Carolina Panthers, and was released in 2014. He then came north to the CFL and played three seasons with the BC Lions before landing in Winnipeg for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
He had 30 tackles and eight sacks in the 2018 regular season and added four tackles and a sack in that year's playoffs. He was injured in the 2019 championship season, finishing the year playing in 12 games. Despite the injury he still had impressive numbers, with 16 tackles, six sacks, and three forced fumbles, playing a major role in the team's drive to their first Grey Cup in 30 years.
Fundraiser set up for family
"He is now with our four children in heaven," Chelsea writes. "I’m not sure how I’m going to live the rest of my days without him, but I will put one foot in front of the other for our beautiful little boy."
A GoFundMe has been set up to help his family with medical bills, funeral expenses, and other necessities.
The fundraiser, started by family members, says that "Craig did not want to go public with his diagnosis and battle because, in true Craig fashion, he did not want the attention to be on him. From chemo, to targeted therapy, to clinical trials at MD Anderson and in Honduras, Craig was resilient till the very end."
A celebration of life will be held in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 16 with time and place to be determined.