| NUMBER FIFTY-SIX | ||
| NAME | POSITION | YEAR |
| Harry Badger (also #26) | HB | 1936-40, 1947 |
| Stevie Baggs (also #52) | LB, DE | 2006-07 |
| Greg Battle (also #34) | LB | 1987-93, 1997-98 |
| Daved Benefield | DE | 2002-03 |
| Marvin Booker | DE | 2014 |
| Buddy Brown (also #65) | G | 1975-78 |
| Wayne Dennis (also #63) | DT | 1964-67 |
| Faith Ekakitie | DT | 2017 |
| Al Forkheim (also #69) | HB | 1950 |
| Roy Gardiner (also #63) | C, E | 1947-48, 1950-51 |
| Jeff Henry | DT | 1980 |
| Harold Jackmann | OL | 1983 |
| Charlie Johnson | T | 1965 |
| Derrell Johnson | DE, LB | 2015 |
| Fernand Kashama | DL | 2010-12 |
| Ed Kotowich | G | 1955-61 |
| Ted Lozanski | QB | 1949 |
| Del Lyles | LB | 1993-95 |
| Leon Lyszkiewicz | DT | 1978-79 |
| Mike Mahoney | LB, LS | 2007 |
| Phil Minnick (also #54, #57) | LB | 1965-70, 1972 |
| Sam Nevills (also #68) | T | 1952-53 |
| Chase Ortiz | DE | 2009 |
| Elfrid Payton | DE | 1990-93, 2000, 2004 |
| Shont’e Peoples | DE | 1997-98 |
| Jim Phillips | G, DT | 1968 |
| Bob Pritchett | LB | 1974 |
| Dick Quast (also #58) | G | 1964 |
| Frank Reid | DT | 1970-71 |
| Gerald Rivers | DE | 2018 |
| William (Buck) Rogers (also #40) | G, C | 1953-55 |
| Morley Rolhiser | G | 1965-67 |
| Ken Times | OL | 1980 |
| Hugh Turnbull (also #74) | OL | 1980 |
Canadian Football Hall of Famers:
- Greg Battle (2007)
- Elfrid Payton (2010)
Winnipeg Football Club Hall of Famers:
- Ed Kotowich (1986)
- Phil Minnick (1988)
- Greg Battle (2001)
CFL All-Stars:
- Phil Minnick (1966, 1969)
- Greg Battle (1990, 1991)
- Elfrid Payton (1993)
- Shont’e Peoples (1997)
- Daved Benefield (2003)
Division All-Stars:
- Ed Kotowich (1959)
- Phil Minnick (1966, 1968)
- Greg Battle (1989, 1990, 1991)
- Elfrid Payton (1993)
- Shont’e Peoples (1997)
- Daved Benefield (2003)
CFL Award Winners:
- Most Outstanding Defensive Player – Greg Battle, 1990, 1991
- James McCaffrey Trophy (Most Outstanding Defensive Player, East Division) – Greg Battle, 1989, 1990, 1991
- Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy (Most Outstanding Canadian Player, West Division) – Gord Paterson, 1977
- Dave Dryburgh Memorial Trophy (West Division leading scorer) – Bud Korchack, 1953
- Grey Cup Defensive MVP — Greg Battle, 1990
Bomber Team Awards:
- Most Outstanding Player — Phil Minnick, 1969; Greg Battle, 1989
- Most Outstanding Lineman — Phil Minnick, 1966, 1968, 1969
- Most Outstanding Defensive Player — Greg Battle, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992; Elfrid Payton, 1993; Shont’e Peoples, 1997; Daved Benefield, 2003
- Most Outstanding Rookie Player — Eflrid Payton, 1991
He Wore It Well:
Ed Kotowich, G, 1955-61
A Winnipeg product, Kotowich came to the Bombers from the Rods junior program and spent seven years with the team, appearing in three Grey Cups and earning West All-Star honours in 1959. But it’s what he did after he retired that led to an award – the Ed Kotowich Good Guy Award, for ‘football ability, team camaraderie, and extraordinary effort off the field’ – being named in his honour.
When he finished playing Kotowich returned to the Rods as an assistant coach and later worked with the minor football programs at Winakwa and Windsor Park. He also served as an alderman for the City of St. Boniface between 1968 and 1977 while working on a number of community boards, including the St. Boniface Parks Board, the St. Boniface Museum and Knights of Columbus.
Sadly, he passed away in 1986 at the age of 52 after suffering a stroke.
Notable:
Elfrid Payton was one of the most feared pass rushers in CFL history during his days and his 154 career quarterback sacks is second-most all-time to Grover Covington (157). Payton was one of the most gregarious and instantly likable players to ever pull on a Bomber uniform and holds the club record with 22 sacks in a season (1993).
During his three stints with the Bombers he racked up 47 sacks, fourth on the all-time list.
FYI:
In case you missed it, we mentioned Minnick at the number he wore most often, Number 54; Greg Battle wore Number 56 at the start of his career, but was highlighted at Number 34.
