Most people are familiar with a “Game Ball.” It goes to a player who played exemplary football; someone who went above and beyond. Fewer, are familiar with the “Jock,” an award that goes to an idiotic play.

The Jock
There are many candidates for this award. Zach Collaros throwing three interceptions (only 2 of which I will put on him) was in the running. But the Bombers won, so he is exonerated.

Next we have Command Centre. Sure, we could speak about the ball the looked to be intercepted but was ruled a Hamilton catch. And we could certainly look at the clothesline tackle that nearly took a Bomber’s head off – a close line tackle is in the rule book as an “unnecessary roughness” call. But neither the on-field officials, nor the Command Centre seemingly knew that. That would make them a candidate for the Jock.

Then there was the late, vicious, and dangerous hit on Lucky Whitehead, when he was already down. A hit that was only ruled a 10 yard penalty, while Winnipeg was assessed a 15 yard penalty for their retaliation.

I actually have no problem with Winnipeg being assed a 15 yard penalty, but the Hamilton player should have absolutely been tossed from the game. If the officials did not see it, and even with Command Centre’s new mandate being “clear and obvious,” it was clear that the hit was late, ad obvious that it was an intent to injure. The Hamilton player should have been ejected from the game by Command Centre.

All of that could have, and would have awarded Command Centre the Jock if it were not for Hamilton #58 Gordon Whyte. After fans let the officials know that such a hit should have resulted in an ejection, Gordon turns around, looks at me, and says in a way to excuse his teammate “That’s football.”

No, Gordon you moron, that is not football! Maybe I will excuse you because your team is 2-9 and pretty much the most penalized team in the CFL. But even if your team’s atrocious play, and subpar discipline causes you to think, “That’s football,” maybe, just maybe do not say the quiet part out loud.

Gordon, for not only thinking, but expressing your affirmation that such a play is “football,” you get the Jock!

The Game Ball

While this is not all encompassing for the Bomber’s offence, there was not a ton going on outside of Brady Oliveira.

Even though other defensive players made play, here are your top performers. Did any of them do enough to get the Game Ball?

In the game there were fits and starts where the Bombers played well. In fact, in the first half the Bombers were up by a score of 13-3, and the first half ended with the Bombers up 16-3. And yet, it seemed like Hamilton was not out of it; and the third quarter proved that to be true.

Do you like the monster hit right near halftime that resulted in a Bomber touchdown.

Or maybe some of these other plays:

But I will actually give a dual Game-Ball. Collaros was trying to go down the field early and just was not able to connect…except for when it mattered the most. After throwing two interceptions into double coverage, one might think Collaros would be gun-shy. But no. He fires a dart to Lawler in the end zone to put the Bombers up 26-23 with about 20 seconds remaining.

And it was not an easy catch. Lawler was going to get hit and he knew it. But he secured the ball, went down to avoid as much contact as possible and secured the ball.

Collaros, for continue to go down field; Lawler, for making the catch when it counts, the both of you get my Game Ball.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments section wherever you are reading this.

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