Bonk enters Hall of Fame
April 2, 2008 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers News Release
WINNIPEG, MB - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers wish to congratulate former Bomber offensive lineman JOHN BONK on his upcoming induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
Bonk was one of five inductees announced by the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in Hamilton earlier today. The 2008 inductees will be honoured during the Hall of Fame's official induction dinner Saturday, Sept. 20 in Hamilton. The 2008 Hall of Fame Game will be played Friday, Sept. 19 when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats host the Bombers at Ivor Wynne Stadium.
"I can't think of a more deserving candidate for the Canadian Football Hall of Fame," said Blue Bombers President and CEO Lyle Bauer, a former teammate of Bonk's. "He helped set the standard for offensive linemen in the CFL and his longevity in the league was a tribute to his dedication and hard work."
Bonk's pro football career began when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats invited him to training camp in 1972. Although most of his play that first season was with their developmental team, he played every game at linebacker in the 1973 season until he was traded to Winnipeg in October of that year.
Bonk started at linebacker in Winnipeg, but switched to center, the position he played for the rest of his career. He did not miss a regular season game between 1973 and 1985 (202 games). A neck injury sidelined him and eventually led him to retire from football following the 1985 season.
During his 14-year pro career, Bonk was a CFL All-Star four times (1982-85) and a West Division All-Star on four occasions (1982-85). He was named the winner of the Schenley Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award in '84 and took home the DeMarco-Becket Memorial Trophy as the West Division's Outstanding Offensive Lineman in 1983 and again in '84.
Bonk was one of the lynchpins of the Blue Bombers team that beat Hamilton 47-17 in the 1984 Grey Cup at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.
Bonk was born Aug. 27, 1950 in Hamilton, Ont. and attended Delta Secondary School. In 1970 and 1971, while attending Mohawk College, he played junior football with the Burlington Braves of the Canadian Junior Football League.
John, his wife Christine and son Jesse returned to Hamilton following his retirement.
Canadian Football League Stories from April 2, 2008
- Bonk, Clemons, Flutie, Pringle, And Shepherd To Be Enshrined - CFL
- Flutie Bound for CFL Hall of Fame - Calgary Stampeders
- Pringle gets called to the Hall - Edmonton Elks
- Flutie's Leo roots pave way to Hall of Fame - B.C. Lions
- Former Rider President set to be inducted into CFL Hall of Fame - Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Clemons And Flutie Headed Into Hall - Toronto Argonauts
- Mike Pringle Inducted Into The Canadian Football Hall Of Fame - Montreal Alouettes
- Bonk enters Hall of Fame - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Bombers' Bauer to be roasted - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
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