With the combines in late March followed by the draft in April, spring is the time of year when the pulse begins to quicken ahead of the latest CFL season. For fans and punters assessing the best free bet offers, the journey towards the Grey Cup is about to begin once more.
One man who has set out on that journey more than most is legendary Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Bob Cameron. First suiting up for the Blue Bombers in 1980, and playing his final game in 2002, Cameron departed the scene with a slew of records to his name. Ending his career with more punts and punting yards than any man in history, he is also the oldest player to take to the field in a gridiron football game.
The College Years: Cameron Under Centre
Despite etching his name in legend as a place-kicker, Bob Cameron began his gridiron career as a quarterback. Following a successful time as the quarterback of the Ancaster High School team in Hamilton, Ontario, Cameron moved on to Acadia University in 1974.
Taking over as the starting quarterback for the Axemen in 1975, Cameron led his team to three consecutive conference titles, two Atlantic Bowl victories, and Vanier Cup appearances in 1976 and 1977.
Mixing passing duties with place kicking, Cameron earned four AUS all-star selections as a quarterback and five as a punter.
Early Struggles in the CFL
As one of the brightest prospects in the country, Cameron was selected by the Edmonton Eskimos in the first round of the 1977 CFL Draft. However, the sixth overall pick never made it beyond the practice squad in Edmonton before ultimately being released.
With his career as a quarterback grinding to a halt, Cameron reverted to his secondary skill – placekicking – when signing on with the Blue Bombers in 1980. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Three-time Grey Cup Winner and the Oldest Ever Player
In 23 seasons in Winnipeg, Cameron became a true master of his craft. His ability to kick well, even in the notoriously windy conditions of the CFL, helped pave the way to six Grey Cup appearances, including wins in 1984, 1988, and 1990.
Cameron’s final Grey Cup appearance came in a 27–19 defeat to the Calgary Stampeders in 2001. Less than a year later, he kicked his last punt in a 33–30 playoff defeat at the hands of the Edmonton Eskimos.
Taking to the field at the age of 48 years and 122 days for that final appearance, Cameron retired as the oldest player to play in a gridiron football game in either the CFL or the NFL. He surpassed the previous record held by George Blanda, who also started out as a quarterback before converting to place-kicking, by 13 days.
Cameron, the Record Breaker
In addition to his unprecedented longevity, Bob Cameron set several benchmarks which may prove hard to beat. At the end of his final game in 2002, he had the following CFL records to his name:
- Most Career Punts: 3,129
- Most Career Punting Yards: 134,301
- Most Punts in a Single Season: 188 (1988)
- Most Punting Yards in a Single Season: 8,214 (1988)
- Most Consecutive Games Played: 353 (1980-2000)
The Bob Cameron Awards Cabinet
Having tasted considerable success over such an extensive period, it is no surprise that Bob Cameron collected his fair share of awards over the years. In addition to his three championship rings, Cameron was honoured with a host of personal accolades, including:
- HEC Crighton Award: 1977
- All-Western Punter:1988-1990, 1993
- Dick Suderman Award: 1988
- Manitoba Male Athlete of the Year: 1988
Punting into the Halls of Fame
Following his retirement in 2000, it was only a matter of time until the nation’s sporting institutions began to pay tribute. By 2011, the record-breaking veteran had received a string of Hall of Fame inductions:
- 2003: Winnipeg Football Club Hall of Fame
- 2009: Nova Scotia Football Hall of Fame
- 2010: Canadian Football Hall of Fame
- 2011: Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame
When the 2026 season kicks off, Calgary Stampeders’ 40-year-old kicker Rene Paredes will be the oldest active player in the CFL – a mere youngster compared to a man who took to the stage for 23 consecutive seasons.
