CFL Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Bombers earn six all-star selections

November 1, 2006 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers News Release


WINNIPEG, MB - The Canadian Football League announced today the 2006 East and West Division All-Stars and six Winnipeg Blue Bombers were among the selections - Charles Roberts, Milt Stegall, Barrin Simpson, Gavin Walls, Doug Brown, and Albert Johnson III.

The Division All-Stars were selected by 48 voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada representing eight CFL markets and a national chapter. For this first round ballot, voters were asked to select players from their local division who they thought excelled at their position during the 2006 CFL regular season.

Running back Charles Roberts was a unanimous selection in the east, picking up his fifth consecutive all-star designation at running back. Roberts was also the East Division All-Star selection for Special Teams in 2001. Roberts won the CFL rushing crown for the third time in the past four seasons, rushing for 1,609 yards on a league-leading 303 carries. He was also the league-leader in combined yards (2,020 yards) and yards from scrimmage (2,020).

Another unanimous selection, slotback Milt Stegall continued to make his presence felt throughout the league. Despite missing four games due to injury, the 'Turtle Man' was once again among the top CFL pass catchers with 1,269 yards on 79 receptions. He also had the longest TD reception of the year, a 100-yard, last-second catch in Edmonton that gave the Bombers a thrilling win over the Eskimos. He also closed to within two TDs of setting the new all-time CFL touchdown record with seven TD catches this season. This is seventh time Stegall has been named a divisional All-Star ('97, '99, '00, '01, '02, '05).

Linebacker Barrin Simpson was a veritable tackling machine for the Blue & Gold in '06. He led the league in defensive tackles with 110, 27 more than Reggie Hunt of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who finished second. It was the fourth time Simpson led the CFL in defensive tackles in a season. He was also among the Bomber leaders in quarterback sacks with three. This is Simpson's fifth consecutive divisional all-star selection. In his first season with Winnipeg, he was the quarterback of a Bomber defence that finished first or second in five defensive categories.

Sophomore defensive end Gavin Walls followed up his Rookie of the Year campaign with another solid season en route to his second divisional all-star selection. Walls registered 32 tackles and four quarterback sacks. His constant pressure on quarterbacks throughout the year and his athletic plays on opposing running backs cemented his spot as one of the league's bright young stars.

Doug Brown enjoyed one of his best seasons since joining the Blue Bombers in 2001. He was fourth on the Bombers in defensive tackles with 51 and added three quarterback sacks. The constant pressure he applied along the Bombers' D-line is a big reason why the team is third in the CFL in quarterback sacks with 43. This is Brown's third time being named a divisional all-star ('01, '02).

The eastern special teams nod went to versatile kick-returner Albert Johnson III who also garnered all-star honours in 2000. Johnson was among the league leaders in combined yardage, finishing second to Roberts with 1,992 total yards. Johnson led the league in punt returns (85) and punt return yardage (810) and was among the top kickoff returners with 1,000 yards on 50 kickoff returns.

The 2006 CFL All-Stars will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 7 following the final round of voting.

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