Bombers superfans making journey to B.C. for Grey Cup

Bombers fans across Manitoba will be glued to their T.V.s as their beloved Blue and Gold take on the Toronto Argonauts Sunday.

But for some of Bomber Nation’s most passionate fans, they’re not satisfied watching from home.

“It all came together in 2019 when we broke that drought,” said Neal Einarson, who is headed to Sunday’s game. “I managed to be in the crowd. It was absolutely amazing; I still get chills thinking about it.”

He says since witnessing his beloved Bombers end their 29-year championship drought in 2019, he’s been making his attendance at the Grey Cup game a yearly tradition.

However, although Einarson has been front-and-centre for each of the Bombers’ four previous title runs, he says to witness his boyhood team become just the fourth CFL club to reach five consecutive finals is still hard to fathom.

“The fact that we’ve made five, it’s going to be years before I look back at this and realize just how amazing this accomplishment is,” said the die-hard fan.

But he’s not the only hardcore member of the Blue and Gold army undertaking the journey to B.C. for the game.

After making their way to every game this season, and travelling 14,000 kilometres in the process, for Michael Johannson and Angie Dawn, this Sunday will represent the final stretch of what has been a marathon of Bombers fandom.

“This has been a dynasty and possibly a once in a lifetime opportunity. We couldn’t pass it up or we’d regret it, and it’s just been a wild ride,” said Johannson.

Dawn stresses their fandom never wavered, even as Winnipeg stumbled out the gate at the beginning of the season.

“The first few games, let’s go. This summer, try to go to them all,” said Dawn. “And as they were not doing so well, we will keep going. We have faith. We’re going to keep going.”

And it’s faith the two are bringing all the way to Vancouver as they are hoping to see the triumphant conclusion to what has been a historic run of success for the Winnipeg CFL club.

“You need three wins to be considered a dynasty in my opinion, or else you are like my favourite NFL team, the Buffalo Bills,” said Johannson. “Getting there but losing and losing. But we got Sergio (Castillo). Sergio’s money.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by Einarson, who is looking to add another championship ring to the collection.

“I’m optimistic,” he said. “We have a very good team. (Coach Mike) O’Shea will have them ready and I have all of the confidence that we’ll bring it home.”

The Bombers take on Toronto at 5 p.m. CST this Sunday.