Winnipeg Blue Bombers Agree to Extension with Defensive Lineman Jake Thomas for 2022 – Winnipeg | The Canadian News

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will enter 2022 Canadian Soccer League season with the oldest member on your roster returning for the 10th year.

The two-time defending Gray Cup champions announced Wednesday that they agreed to a one-year extension with defensive lineman Jake Thomas.

The Douglas, NB native celebrated his 31st birthday last month and appears to be an example of an athlete who is improving with age.

Thomas dressed for the Blue Bombers’ 14 regular-season games in 2021 and contributed 15 defensive tackles and 4 sacks from quarterback. Based on a full 18-game schedule, those totals were just below his career-best 22 DTs and five QBs during the 2019 season.

But Thomas saved perhaps his best game of the 2021 campaign for when it mattered most, with four defensive tackles and a sack of the quarterback in a 33-25 overtime win in Hamilton against the Tiger Cats in his hometown on 12 May. December at Tim Horton’s Field in the 108th Gray Cup game.

The former Canadian University Acadia standout was a pending free agent and his return will solidify the inside of what is one of the CFL’s best defensive lines.

Thomas was selected by Winnipeg in the fourth round (29 overall) of the 2012 CFL draft and dressed for 14 games during his rookie season.

The six-foot-two-inch, 273-pound manager has played in 151 career games for the Blue Bombers, amassing nine season totals of 129 defensive tackles, 22 quarterback sacks, three forced fumbles, and his only interception came. in a savage 45-42 loss to the BC Lions on July 21, 2017 in Vancouver.

The Blue Bombers are scheduled to begin their quest for a third consecutive Gray Cup title when they host the Ottawa RedBlacks on Friday, June 10 at IG Field.

1:57Winnipeg Blue Bombers, fans celebrate Gray Cup win with party at IG Field