Blue Bombers president/CEO Wade Miller receives Commissioner’s Award

Wade Miller, President and CEO, Winnipeg Football Club speaks to media after CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie announced that the 2025 Grey Cup will be played in Winnipeg, Tuesday, March 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

WINNIPEG — Wade Miller, the president/CEO of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, received the Commissioner’s Award on Sunday.

The award is presented annually to an individual or group that’s made an outstanding contribution to Canadian football.

“Wade is a true football hero to his team, his community and our entire country,” CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston said in a statement.

Miller, a Winnipeg native, played 11 seasons with the Bombers, earning a reputation as a special-teams standout. The former University of Manitoba player once held the league record for all-time special-teams tackles.

He became president and CEO of the franchise in 2013 at a time when the Bombers were experiencing difficulty on and off the field. But under the guidance of head coach Mike O’Shea and GM Kyle Walters, Winnipeg has earned double-digit wins the last nine seasons.

Winnipeg had also made five straight Grey Cup appearances - winning twice - before losing 42-33 to the Montreal Alouettes in the ’25 East Division semifinal.

And this season, the Bombers sold out all of their nine home games, topping the CFL in attendance for a fourth straight year.

“While the victories and the fan support are tremendous, it’s the team’s impact in the community that will be felt for generations,” Johnston said. “Wade has been a strong proponent for youth football across Manitoba, as well as a steadfast champion of our league’s support for Indigenous community relations and reconciliation.”

The Canadian Press