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The Winnipeg Blue Bombers misplaced one other key participant early of their sport towards the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday.

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Halfway by way of Winnipeg’s first drive, veteran offensive lineman Stanley Bryant was taken off the sector on a stretcher and brought by ambulance to the hospital for what the Bombers termed “additional analysis.”

Bryant went down on each knees after a play, ultimately tried to stroll off the sector with assist, solely to go down on his knee once more.

He wasn’t favouring any specific space, and after being positioned on the gurney he was hooked as much as an IV.

Teammates gathered round him and after a complete delay of greater than quarter-hour, the 38-year-old was lastly wheeled off the sector towards the ambulance space, a towel draped over his head.

At one level he raised his water bottle, apparently to acknowledge the applauding crowd of greater than 32,000, Winnipeg’s first sellout of the season.

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Surroundings Canada had issued a warmth warning with a game-time temperature of 25C and a humidex of 31C.

By the tip of the primary half, the Bombers up to date Bryant’s situation on social media.

“Stanley Bryant is alert and is at the moment present process additional analysis on the hospital,” the replace stated. “He’s steady and with group medical personnel.”

After the sport, head coach Mike O’Shea had extra to say.

“I wouldn’t usually do that, however due to what individuals would see on TV I simply need to let all people know that he referred to as, he says he’s feeling quite a bit higher,” O’Shea stated. “A mixture of the warmth and being sick. I feel he was sick all week. And a brief week. I simply assume all of it added up in him not feeling good for a second.

“I don’t know that I’ve ever seen that. We’ve had Stan right here for nearly my total time right here… and I don’t know that I’ve ever seen him go away. ”

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Earlier than play resumed, O’Shea referred to as his group collectively, the message: honour your teammates.

“They only want a second to gather their ideas collectively and take a look at one another,” he stated.

Teammates admitted they had been shaken by the scene.

“It’s worrying. Particularly when that stretcher comes out,” fellow lineman Chris Kolankowski stated. “It was nearly coping with feelings within the second. I’ve actually by no means skilled that as a participant. Fortunately, that’s the primary time that’s occurred. It was robust. However it’s nearly respiration, occupied with it and looking out on the guys round you rallying for it.

“As soon as he’s off the sector we’ve simply acquired to do what we do. Make him proud. That’s what we had been saying: do what would make Stan proud if he was capable of watch the sport.”

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Bryant is a perennial all-star who’s gained the CFL Most Excellent Offensive Lineman Award a document 4 instances.

However he’s greater than that.

“Stan is considered one of my finest associates,” quarterback Zach Collaros stated. “I really like the man. He’s such an incredible individual, nice teammate, nice father. So it’s robust. You possibly can see the extent of concern from our bench. He’s been right here for therefore lengthy. Everyone calls him Uncle. He is aware of we love him. It’s troubling when a good friend isn’t feeling properly like that.”

First-year guard Kendall Randolph moved to Bryant’s deal with spot, whereas rookie backup Gabe Wallace stepped in at guard.

Earlier than halftime, Wallace had additionally suffered an harm and needed to be carted off the sector, forcing Tui Eli into the sport.

That left no additional linemen on the Winnipeg roster, because the group attire simply two backups.

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“It was simply superb to see these two step up,” Kolankowski stated of Randolph and Wallace. “After which Tui coming in later. I used to be so pleased with these guys for having the ability to step in like nothing occurred. It’s superb.”

Switching numbers and turning himself right into a reserve O-lineman was veteran defensive lineman Jake Thomas.

Regardless of the shuffling, the Winnipeg offence marched the ball down the sector for a game-winning landing with 19 seconds left, beating the Tiger-Cats 26-23.

“You play properly sufficient to drive the sector on the finish and rating a landing, that’s adequate,” O’Shea stated.

The Bombers have been hit exhausting by accidents this season, with a number of starters taking activates the six-game injured record, most lately linebacker Adam Bighill.

One, star receiver Dalton Schoen, is already misplaced for the season with a knee harm.

paul.friesen@kleinmedia.ca

X: @friesensunmedia

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