CFL.ca Staff

WINNIPEG -- The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Canadian Football League would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the family of former Blue Bomber and Hall of Fame Head Coach and General Manager Cal Murphy, who passed away last night.

“Everyone in both the immediate, and extended, Blue Bomber family is deeply saddened by this news. Cal was a great ambassador for our game and for Canadian football in Winnipeg and Manitoba. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time”, said Blue Bombers President and CEO Garth Buchko.

CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon issued the following statement:

"Cal Murphy lived and breathed and loved football -- and our league was so much better for it. He was a fierce competitor, with a keen eye for talent, and an ability to mold great teams. He first coached the BC Lions, was with the Edmonton Eskimo dynasty of 1978 through 1982, and coached in Montreal and Saskatchewan, but we will always remember him as one of the great Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He was their Head Coach and General Manager, and was central to five Bomber Grey Cup appearances, and three victories. His teams could amass points, but they were often defined by their toughness -- reflective of a man who refused to let a severe heart condition stop him. Overall, in his 30 years in the CFL, he was part of nine Grey Cup champions. Along the way, he earned a place in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame -- and in the hearts and minds of many he led and mentored and befriended. Their thoughts and prayers, and those of all of us in the CFL, are with his family today."

Murphy, who was born in Winnipeg, spent 30-plus seasons in the CFL, winning nine Grey Cup championships over his career and spending 14 seasons (1983-1996) with the Blue Bombers. One of the most successful coaches in the history of the franchise, he first joined the organization as Head Coach in 1983.

Murphy made an immediate impact, guiding the team to an 11-7 record, and in 1984, capturing the first of three Grey Cup titles in seven years. He also brought home Coach of the Year honours in his first two seasons at the helm.

Murphy would hire Mike Riley to take over as Head Coach in 1987, while he held General Manager responsibilities, winning two more Grey Cups in 1988 and 1990. Murphy returned to the Blue Bomber sidelines from 1993-1996. Overall, the Blue Bombers appeared in five Grey Cup games during his tenure.
 
“Cal was one of the most influential figures in our organization’s history, and that dates back over 80 years,” said Blue Bombers Vice-President and General Manager Joe Mack, who worked with Murphy with the Blue Bombers from 1984-1987. “His dedication and desire to win was second to none – he just didn’t accept losing and his passion for this game was simply unmatched. He will be truly missed.”
 
Murphy was inducted into the Blue Bomber Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Canadian Football League Hall of Fame in 2004.
 
The organization adopted a “Cal Murphy Heart of a Legend’ Award in 2001, which is handed out annually to a Blue Bomber player who best demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship and dedication to the CFL and community and is voted on by the players.

The winner of this award is also the team’s nominee for the prestigious Tom Pate Memorial Award, which is presented annually by the CFL. The 2011 winner of this award was offensive lineman Obby Khan.

Murphy is second on the Blue Bombers' all-time winningest coaches list with a record of 86-51-1.