The Voice of the Bombers Bob Irving Receives the Mayor of Winnipeg’s Community Service Award | The Canadian News

Bob Irving, the longtime voice of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, has received another accolade on his retirement tour.

The 680 CJOB personality, who has been calling out the Bombers games for nearly 50 years, will hang up the mic after the Bombers face their rivals, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, in the CFL Western Final on Sunday.

Irving was honored Monday morning by the City of Winnipeg for his lasting impact on the game with a community service award from Mayor Brian Bowman.

In addition to the mayor and Irving’s family, he was joined by special guests, in person and remotely, including CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie and Jeff McWhinney, the league’s official Gray Cup goalkeeper, both from Winnipeg.

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Bowman called Irving “an absolute legend in Canadian broadcasting and sports.”

“There are not many voices that are as synonymous with something as Bob Irving’s voice with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers,” the mayor said.

“It’s one of those things that is part of the folklore of what it means to be a Winnipegger to me, and to me to be a Winnipegger means to be a fan of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.”

McWhinney said Irving helped define the city and that his unique way of communicating made it seem like listeners were right next to him in the stands.

An excited Irving said it has been a roller coaster ride for a few weeks as his historic career concludes.

“It has been incredible,” he said.

“I grew up in Saskatchewan, in Regina, but I’m a Manitoban from head to toe, I’m a Winnipegger. It is a wonderful place to raise and raise a family.

“It has been an honor and a privilege for me to be close to the soccer team and to be part of the community all these years.”

Irving will also be inducted into the Bombers Ring of Honor, the team announced last week, joining 12 iconic players and coaches.