Latest news with #Stegall
Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Puzzling league decisions plagued Week 7
Friday night at Princess Auto Stadium was more than just a football game. When Milt Stegall, the legendary Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver, appeared on the TSN panel, the sold-out crowd of more than 30,000 erupted. It was a moment I won't soon forget, and one that filled me with pride for our city. Just six weeks earlier, Stegall had endured an unimaginable loss with the sudden passing of his 20-year-old son Chase. His return to CFL on TSN was his first public appearance since the tragedy, and Winnipeg — the city where he spent a decade etching his name into the franchise's history books — responded with a powerful showing of love and support. John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers dodged a bullet this week after quarterback Zach Collaros (8) left the game on Friday against the Calgary Stampeders with a suspected concussion. Collaros has been practicing this week but listed on the injury report with a neck injury. Prompted by a heartfelt message on the Jumbotron, the entire stadium rose to its feet. What followed was a deafening roar in a collective embrace for a man who had given them so many fond memories. Stegall was visibly emotional, tears welling in his eyes as he absorbed the blue wave of affection. He later confessed that the moment ranked among the most cherished of his entire football career. That raw emotion and genuine bond between a city and athlete was a beautiful reminder of the unique relationship that exists in pro sports, especially in a league like the CFL, where players often become ingrained in the fabric of their communities. Perhaps no one embodies that more than Stegall and his lasting connection to Winnipeg. The city showed up for him when it mattered most, holding up one of its own with unwavering compassion and respect. Over my 10-plus years as a sports reporter, it was easily one of the most memorable moments of my career. To be present for such a genuine display of empathy felt like a privilege and it is permanently etched in my mind. The moment for Milt was a powerful reminder of the human side of sports and it's in that spirit that we turn to the rest of the league. Here's a look at what else stood out this week in the latest edition of CFL Rundown. 1) Davis Alexander's return for the Montreal Alouettes against the Toronto Argonauts, capped by a game-winning rushing touchdown, was completely overshadowed by the very injury he was battling. It was evident early on that Alexander wasn't 100 per cent, labouring whenever he was forced to escape the pocket. While he showed off his trademark determination in delivering a comeback victory, one has to question head coach Jason Maas' decision to bring him back against a 1-4 Argos team, particularly with Chad Kelly still sidelined. Alexander re-aggravated his hamstring and now faces another lengthy stint on the sidelines. The short-term gain of a win against a struggling opponent hardly seems worth the potential long-term setback for a franchise quarterback. 2) The Argos are in serious trouble after their loss to the Alouettes, a game in which they led by 19 points in the third quarter but saw that disappear in dramatic fashion to drop to 1-5. Things don't get any easier for Ryan Dinwiddie's club, with back-to-back games against the Bombers on deck. For Toronto to even entertain playoff aspirations, particularly with the increasing likelihood of a West Division crossover, nothing less than a split versus Winnipeg will suffice. The pressure is officially on in The Six. 3) Shawn Lemon's return to the CFL, after his gambling ban was lifted, sets a dangerous precedent and seriously questions the league's integrity. It's puzzling how the CFL, seemingly dead set on keeping Lemon out, reversed course under new commissioner Stewart Johnston. And while the CFL highlighted Lemon's remorse and commitment to 'helping other players learn from his mistake,' the Alouettes' press release on his signing failed to mention he first must serve a two-game suspension for a failed drug test. 4) The Calgary Stampeders are proving to be a force, arguably in their own tier in the CFL after a dominant three-game win streak that includes two impressive victories over the Bombers and another against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. This resurgence is not only great for creating parity in the league, it's also breathing new life into Calgary's notoriously fair-weather fanbase. The Red and White are giving their supporters plenty to cheer about and that energy is vital for the CFL's overall health. Edmonton Elks, it's you're turn. Spencer Colby / THE CANADIAN PRESS Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Dru Brown (3) left the game on Sunday after he was on the receiving end of a headshot from Hamilton Tiger-Cats defender DaShaun Amos. 5) Rookie receiver Damien Alford, the No. 1 pick in May's CFL draft, is quickly making a name for himself with the Stamps. Promoted after an injury to Clark Barnes, Alford has hauled in a pair of touchdowns in each of his last two games and five across the last three. While it's a bold prediction this early, it wouldn't be surprising to see him vying for both the league's Most Outstanding Rookie and Most Outstanding Canadian awards by season's end. 6) The Bombers dodged a major bullet this week. Zach Collaros exited the first half against Calgary with a suspected concussion, putting his future with the team in seemingly serious doubt. But Collaros returned to practice this week, recovered enough from what the team is calling a neck injury. That's good news for the Bombers, who simply aren't the same without their star quarterback. Also, what's the deal with Dillon Mitchell, a key off-season acquisition that continues to be a healthy scratch? The Bombers need all hands on deck and Mitchell's talent should not be wasted on the sidelines. 7) With the Ottawa Redblacks dropping to a dismal 1-6 and not looking at all competitive in their loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday, could it be the end for head coach Bob Dyce? Dyce has coached for fewer than three seasons and boasts an overall record of 14-25-1. That doesn't exactly scream job security, and while he's had to deal with injuries, notably to quarterback Dru Brown, the expectations are high and patience is low for a winner in the nation's capital. The Redblacks are on the bye week, which is usually when a change is made. 8) Speaking of Brown, he was on the receiving end of a headshot from Ticats defender DaShaun Amos that knocked him from the game and added to his injury history. Amos got a clear lane off the edge, but when making the tackle, the crown of his helmet collided with Brown's helmet, sending his helmet flying and Brown to the locker room with a suspected concussion. The play resulted in a grade two roughing the passer penalty — pushing it from 15 to 25 yards — but Amos remained in the game. If we're going to reduce the number of headshots and long-term injuries, particularly to quarterbacks, the penalty has to be severe enough to prevent more from happening. Without a proper deterrence, we're just going to see more of this. 9) The Ticats have been turning heads with four straight victories, currently in top spot in the East Division. Despite being one of the hottest teams, with a prolific offence and improved defence, the Vegas oddsmakers have the B.C. Lions favoured at home. The Lions were brought back to earth in a loss to the Riders, and still have plenty to prove given two of their three wins this year have come against the lowly Edmonton Elks. Jeff HamiltonMultimedia producer Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University's journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff. Every piece of reporting Jeff produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Bombers legend Stegall reflects on grief, loss and healing in Winnipeg return
When legendary Blue Bombers receiver Milt Stegall arrived in Winnipeg Friday morning, it was more than a homecoming to the city where he became a football icon. This particular return to his 'other home' — as Stegall describes it, underscoring that Winnipeg is anything but secondary to him — carries the raw and fresh grief of suddenly losing his 20-year-old son, Chase, just six weeks earlier. Stegall's presence highlights his extraordinary resilience, the lasting bond he has with his CFL family and Winnipeg's unique capacity to help heal. 'This place, as I always say, is so important to me and my family,' Stegall told the Free Press in an interview Friday, shortly after his plane touched down. 'Not just from a football sense, but from a life sense. Part of the way I am as a person is because of the time I've spent in Winnipeg.' MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Though never one to be nervous, the Canadian Football Hall of Famer admitted he was anxious to return to the CFL on TSN panel for Thursday's game between the Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts. He had felt guilty about bringing his high energy back to the group, trying to reconcile enjoying himself after suffering what he called the hardest moment of his life. It was at that point that Stegall drew a poignant parallel to the sudden loss of his father when he was 17 and a senior in high school back home in Ohio. Recalling the day his father died, he focuses on the message his mother gave, something that still sticks with him. 'She told me to go play my basketball game,' Stegall said, noting his father had been struggling with ongoing health issues. 'She said, 'Yes, you grieve, but you have to keep living. You have to keep moving'.' This same philosophy, Stegall said, is now rooted in his own family's experience. 'Keep moving, keep enjoying life, because Chase enjoyed life every day,' he added. 'It's what he would want us to be doing.' His first on-location panel with TSN — which dedicated the 2025 CFL season to Chase — though fitting, wasn't by design. Stegall didn't circle the game on his calendar; the timing just felt right. As a man of faith, he credits divine intervention, something bigger than himself or the game of football. After all, Winnipeg holds a profound significance for Stegall and his family. 'She said, 'Yes, you grieve, but you have to keep living. You have to keep moving'.'–Milt Stegall His youngest son, Collin, now 17, was born in the city, and while Stegall spent just 10 of his 55 years in Winnipeg, he's amazed and humbled by the love and support he continues to receive to this day. 'The support has brought tears of joy to me and my wife,' Stegall said. 'So, getting back on that panel, that was important for me because it's been therapeutic. The individuals I work with at TSN, from the other panel members to the people working the cameras, they aren't friends; they're family.' When remembering Chase, Stegall describes an outgoing, caring and selfless individual. While Stegall has always been one for the spotlight, his son seemed cut from a different jersey. 'Chase always put others before him and was genuinely concerned with how others felt,' Stegall said. 'That's a trait you don't find in too many kids, or too many people in general.' What Chase definitely got from his dad was his warm smile, something he always had on his face, even at times when he was in trouble. No matter what the occasion, Stegall said, his son always found a reason to grin ear to ear. It's a spirit the family strives to embody. 'He's left a legacy on the people he touched that will live on forever,' Stegall said. UNIVERSITY OF DEPAUL PHOTO Chase Stegall The grieving process has been predictably tough. There are moments that trigger Stegall, like sometimes when looking at family pictures or even while driving. He received the news of Chase's death from his soccer coach at DePaul University while in his car. Chase was mourned in two funerals, one in Chicago where he attended school, and another in Atlanta where he lived. Even amidst the warmth of a Winnipeg welcome, these moments serve as stark reminders of the massive void left behind. Stegall credits his family, notably his wife, Darlene, and son, for giving him strength. They are constant reminders of the love and support he receives, and reflections of the good Chase brought to the world. 'I'm getting to the point where there are more highs than lows. There are still lows, and there may be lows for the rest of my life,' Stegall said. 'But I'm also really realizing that my son was on this earth for 20 years, and he made a difference more so than some people who have been on this earth for 100 years. That helps me get through some of the tough times.' Stegall's remarkable perspective is deeply rooted in the powerful example set by his parents Betty and Garland Stegall. His father, born in 1922, worked as a foreman at a chemical plant before managing the family's grocery store and getting into real estate. 'My father was born in Newnan, Ga., and his grandmother was a full-fledged slave. He saw people hanged and being wrongfully accused,' Stegall said, his voice quieting. 'So, he moved out of that area, moved up to Cincinnati for a better life, only to still face so much racism. It still didn't hinder the type of person he was.' 'But I'm also really realizing that my son was on this earth for 20 years, and he made a difference more so than some people who have been on this earth for 100 years. That helps me get through some of the tough times.'–Milt Stegall Through all this, Stegall said his father remained 'the friendliest person,' picking up hitchhikers and showing immense kindness to those struggling to pay rent. His mother, who worked for more than three decades as a nurse at Shriners Hospital, was equally compassionate to others. Stegall remembered witnessing her calmness after he violently cut his chin as a child, washing away the blood gushing down his chest, and especially while working in the Shriners burn unit. 'The way she caressed them, the way she treated them — like they were her own kids. It was truly amazing to see,' he recalled of her interactions with severely burned children. Despite both having only high school degrees, they worked tirelessly to put all five of their children through college without debt, instilling in Stegall a great foundation and the drive to do great things. 'I saw my parents and the way they handled themselves, the way they handled other people's kids,' he said. 'It set an example for me where I was going to be the nicest person, I was going to do something great in life, because they were doing these great things and they had nothing.' He added: 'Everything I am, is owed to what my parents instilled in me from the time I was one until the time they passed away.' Stegall noted the unique bond between Winnipeg and its athletes, something he feels every time he's in the city. He attributes this to the Winnipeg's inherent friendliness and welcoming nature. He contrasts it with the more isolated experience of the NFL, noting that in Winnipeg, fans actively engage with players even at practice. This genuine connection, built over time, explains why even after 17 years away from the field, Stegall remains relevant to fans who never even saw him play. With an eighth straight sellout for Friday's game between the Bombers and Calgary Stampeders, Stegall admits he can't visualize exactly what to expect. He anticipates it will be 'angelic.' 'What's going to be special is walking into that stadium,' Stegall said. 'Walking into that stadium and just being around, that's special enough for me right there.' Jeff HamiltonMultimedia producer Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University's journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff. Every piece of reporting Jeff produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
American Press
26-06-2025
- American Press
Super Bowl halftime performer who disrupted performance arrested
Associated Press Archives A 41-year-old New Orleans man has been arrested for a disturbance he is accused of creating during the Super Bowl halftime show on Feb. 9 in the Caesars Superdome. Louisiana State Police Sgt. Kate Stegall said Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu is in custody. The preliminary investigation revealed that during the halftime performance, a performer deviated from his assigned role, retrieved a Sudanese flag bearing the message 'Sudan and Free Gaza,' and disrupted the halftime show by running across the field with the flag. Security and law enforcement personnel on site quickly recognized the unauthorized action and apprehended the performer after he refused to comply with their commands to stop. Through investigative means, troopers identified the performer as Nantambu and confirmed he was hired as an extra performer during the halftime show. In coordination with the National Football League, troopers learned that Nantambu had permission to be on the field during the performance, but did not have permission to demonstrate as he did, Stegall said. An arrest warrant was subsequently obtained through the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court. On Thursday, Nantambu surrendered himself through coordination with his attorney and was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center for resisting an officer and disturbing the peace by interruption of a lawful assembly. This investigation remains ongoing, Stegall said.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
College soccer player from Atlanta, son of former CFL receiver found dead in his dorm room
DePaul University students are grieving the loss of a men's soccer player found dead in his dorm room. Chicago police said Chase Stegall was found unresponsive just before 9 a.m. Monday. Stegall, the son of former NFL and CFL player Milt Stegall, grew up in Atlanta and graduated from Woodward Academy. Advertisement [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'We are heartbroken by the unexpected loss of Chase Stegall, a cherished member of our community, dedicated teammate and kind-hearted friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with Chase's family, friends, teammates and all who loved him,' the athletic department said in a statement. The university says it will support Stegall's family and teammates in the coming days. It will also hold a memorial service on campus Wednesday. The Canadian Football League issued the following statement: TRENDING STORIES: WLS, the ABC affiliate in Chicago, spoke with Stegall's fellow athletes at DePaul. Advertisement They will remember the soccer player best for his spirit and smile. 'He always had a smile on his face, just like the brightest personality and was the life of the party. He was the guy who knew how to make that special impact on everyone around him. The athletic center, they loved him -- like every single sport outside of men's soccer, every single sport knew who he was,' track-and-field athlete Gianna Sanchez told WLS. In an essay posted on the athletic department, Stegall opened up about a seizure his freshmen year and how his coach stayed with him for hours. 'My teammates and friends constantly checked up on me, too. They'd helped me get to the hospital, and sent me texts to make sure I was doing OK,' Stegall wrote. 'Knowing that my head coach and teammates cared about me that much was the moment I knew that DePaul was the right place for me.' Advertisement The Cook County Coroner's Office will do an autopsy to confirm the cause of death. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
College Athlete, Son of NFL Hall of Famer, Dead at 20
Chase Stegall, a college soccer player and the son of a former NFL wide receiver, has died at 20. Stegall, the son of Canadian Football Hall of Famer Milton Stegall, reportedly died inside his DePaul University dorm room in Chicago on Monday morning. The school's president, Rob Manuel, announced the tragic news. No cause of death has been revealed. Advertisement Related: Cause of Death Revealed for Man Found 'Burned Severely' in Popular Park 'Chase was known for his warmth, strength of character, and vibrant presence—qualities that touched the lives of many both on and off the field,' Manuel said (via the DePaulia). 'His loss is deeply felt by his teammates, coaches, classmates, faculty, staff, and all who knew him. We extend our heartfelt prayers and deepest sympathies to Chase's family, friends, and loved ones.' Related: Marc Maron's 3-Word Response to Ending His 'WTF' Podcast Stegall was a sophomore at DePaul and a rising college soccer star. He played as a midfielder in 16 of the university's 17 games last season, in one of them notching a goal against Drake University. His father played for three seasons, from 1992 until 1995, with the Cincinnati Bengals before signing with the Green Bay Packers. However, he was released from his contract following a training camp injury. Advertisement Related: 'Race Across the World' Contestant Dead in Car Crash 'We are heartbroken by the unexpected loss of Chase Stegall, a cherished member of our community, dedicated teammate and kind-hearted friend,' Stegall's coach, Mark Plotkin, said in a statement. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with Chase's family, friends, teammates and all who loved him,' the statement concluded, calling Stegall a 'dedicated teammate and kind-hearted friend.' Stegall is survived by his parents, Milton and Darlene Stegall, and his brother Collin. Related: Here Are All of the Deals Krispy Kreme Is Running in June College Athlete, Son of NFL Hall of Famer, Dead at 20 first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 3, 2025
