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Red and White 'pumped' to be part of festivities leading into 'Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth'
Published Jul 02, 2025 • 7 minute read
Vernon Adams Jr.
Calgary Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. was photographed speaking to media during practice at McMahon Stadium on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Brent Calver/Postmedia
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Big event, big opponent, big game …
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The Calgary Stampeders wouldn’t want it any other way for the inaugural Stampede Bowl.
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They’re even dressed up for the occasion, with Vernon Adams Jr. trying on a cowboy hat for the first time in the hours just ahead of Thursday’s kickoff for what the Stampeders intend to be an annual tradition in early July at McMahon Stadium.
“How’s it look?” asked the Stamps quarterback, a big grin matching the wide-brimmed headgear synonymous with the Calgary Stampede.
“Never really worn one before,” continued Adams. “First Stampede Bowl, and I’m just excited to be part of it.
“We’re all excited.”
They sure are, with plenty of stakes on the table for the CFL tilt between the host Stampeders (2-1) and the incoming Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-0) at McMahon (7 p.m., TSN, CHQR 770 AM/107.3 FM the Edge).
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There’s the gleaming red and silver trophy — created by MST Bronze Limited — which features a bowl and handles in the shape of the Stampede Bowl’s horsehead logo.
There’s a wager between team presidents — Jay McNeil of the Stampeders and Wade Miller of the Blue Bombers — with a $25,000 donation being made to Purolator Tackle Hunger by the losing team to the winning team’s market.
And, of course, there are the vital two points up for grabs for the CFL’s West Division standings.
“Listen … I’m pumped that they’re doing it,” said Stamps GM/head coach Dave Dickenson. “I think it’s a great idea, and I think it’s the right idea. I think for the city of Calgary, I think it’s a great way to kick off the Stampede.
“We’re expecting great weather. Everybody’s excited for that week.”
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Dave Dickenson
Calgary Stampeders GM and head coach Dave Dickenson was photographed speaking to media during practice at McMahon Stadium on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Brent Calver/Postmedia
The Stamps are hoping to ignite ‘The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth’ with a show of their own in the Stampede Bowl.
Canadian country music artist Dawson Gray is slated to perform the pre-game concert on the stage at McMahon and the post-game concert at Stamps House.
Poison frontman and rock icon Bret Michaels is set to party hard with fans in a halftime concert on the field.
And then there’s the Stamps themselves, hoping to outperform the unbeaten Blue Bombers.
“They’re just a good group across the board,” said Dickenson, of the vaunted Bombers. “All three units are excellent … and I think (QB) Zach (Collaros) is one of the best. I love watching him play — not necessarily against us. He’s one of my favourite guys. I’ve never coached him, I’ve never played with him, but I just really have a lot of respect for him.
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“I do think the quarterback has a lot to do with winning, and he’s just played really well ever since he got there.”
That said, the Stamps have played pretty well with Adams now at the helm.
Even though Adams & Co. were saddled with a loss in their last game, that’s now out of mind, especially given the crappy weather that made for a lousy conditions.
The Stampede Bowl, however, is looking like a night made for grand performance.
Certainly, the visitors forever bring pomp and pageantry.
Stampede Bowl trophy
The Calgary Stampeders have unveiled the new Stampede Bowl trophy, which will be awarded for the first time when the Stampeders take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at McMahon Stadium in Calgary on Thursday, July 3, 2025. David Moll/Calgary Stampeders
“Everyone knows the last five years, the Bombers have been the best or the second-best team in the league,” Adams said. “Obviously with the five-straight Grey Cup (appearances), their system is second to none. They do a lot of great things over there.
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“For us as an offence, we need to take care of the ball — starting with me — let the playmakers do what they do and give our defence a rest — go on some long drives.
“But it’s a smart defence over there. They know what they’re doing, and they do it well.”
The Stamps intend to do the same to kick in this Stampede Bowl thing with a winning ride.
“We’re such a new team, the expectations for us are to make sure we show up and do our part,” added Dickenson. “It’s fun no matter what, especially when you play Winnipeg. But it’s more fun when the stands are pumping and the people are excited. And that’s why it’s our job to go out and play well.
“We’re in the winning business, but we’re also in the entertainment business. And I know our guys want to go out and put on a show.”
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The Bighill factor
Decorated CFL veteran linebacker Adam Bighill was signed by the Stamps during the team’s bye week.
But the three-time CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player won’t line up against his former team Thursday night.
He’s still recovering from an ACL injury suffered last season.
“We had a plan,” Dickenson said. “We signed him last week, and we felt like it was going to be a week or two (before he gets into games). And we’re not going to rush him.
“But … yeah … you can definitely tell he’s all-in and he’s excited to be here, but he also understands that we’ve got to be smart and not maybe put his knee at risk.”
After all, the 36-year-old’s leadership is what the Stamps are needing, with charismatic middle linebacker Marquel Lee out indefinitely — perhaps season-long — with a bicep injury.
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“Adam’s a long-term plan for us,” Dickenson said. “We need him for as many games as possible, but also we really need him for games after Labour Day, so we’re going to definitely be smart about it.”
Bighill ranks sixth in CFL history with 939 defensive tackles and has also has 39 tackles for loss, 71 special-teams stops, 50 sacks, 15 interceptions including one pick-six, 11 fumble recoveries including three returned for touchdowns, 14 forced fumbles and 25 knockdowns.
“This place has a lot of tradition, and it’s known as a place to play football the right way,” said Bighill, of coming to Calgary. “They play tough football here, the team’s been well-coached, and it’s an organization that you have a chance to win.
“They play football the right way here.”
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Adam Bighill
Calgary Stampeders linebacker Adam Bighill was photographed during practice at McMahon Stadium on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Brent Calver/Postmedia
A veteran of 191 regular-season games, 19 post-season contests in 12 CFL campaigns and three Grey Cup victories, Bighill is an eight-time West Division all-star and a six-time league all-star during his run with the BC Lions and then the Bombers.
“I tear my ACL last year, and it’s not the way you want to go out and feel about your career,” said Bighill, when asked if he considered retirement over the off-season. “And I’ve always had a bit of an underdog mentality to myself — you know … that chip on my shoulder.
“No matter how many people doubt me, go prove them wrong. So I have just the mentality that I want to get back out here and play again and do it the way I want to do it.”
Even though he remains sidelined, Bighill has already been big in that he’s been bending the ears of the Stampeders, letting them in on some of the secrets the Bombers bring to town. Of course, he was with the Bombers from 2018 until he was released over the off-season, winning a couple of Grey Cups with them along the way.
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Whether his info helps the Red and White remains to be seen.
“Having Bighill’s been good,” added Adams. “You know … you see what you see on film, and then he’s telling me his clues that he saw on me when he was playing against me. So trying to go against those this week and, hopefully, they’re not looking at those.
“But it’s been great having him here. Can’t wait until he gets healthy and can help us out on the field.”
The other new guy
The other linebacker brought in by the Stamps over the bye week was CFL veteran Kyle Wilson.
And, unlike Bighill, he will slot into the lineup against the Blue Bombers despite only arriving a few days back.
“It’s been a crucial few days of trying to get in the playbook … learn all the details and stuff like that,” said Wilson, who was cut by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats just last week after parts of five seasons with them. “I feel like I’m up to speed. So it’s been a long couple days.
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“But just a couple days is all it takes for me.”
The Stamps are hoping that’s the case.
He slides into the middle linebacker spot with fellow vet Micah Teitz, having played at the MAC position from time to time with the Ticats.
Kyle Wilson
Calgary Stampeders linebacker Kyle Wilson was photographed during practice at McMahon Stadium on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Brent Calver/Postmedia
Wilson signed with the Ticats in 2020 after spending time with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Chargers. He suited up for three games with the Chargers in 2018 and recorded two tackles.
The native of Wichita, Kan., and former star of the NCAA’s Arkansas State Red Wolves then played 51 regular-season games for the Tiger-Cats from 2021-25 and — with 88 stops — was the Ticats’ leading tackler a season ago.
“This linebacker group is kind of young,” said Wilson, a 6-foot, 231-pounder, of his new team. “But you’ve got some vets, as well. So it’s a mixture of both — a good mixture of both.
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“Keep it simple,” added Wilson. “Just do my job — do whatever I can do to help the team, try not to play outside of my role and just do whatever it is for the team to win.”
Short yardage
The Stampeders’ starting lineup for the Stampede Bowl remains the same as the last game, that 20-12 loss to the visiting Ottawa Redblacks (1-3) in monsoon-like conditions two weeks back … But there is a trio of roster changes for the home side — Wilson, DL Charles Wiley and RB Ludovick Choquette are in, while RB Jeshrun Antwi (ankle), DL Josiah Coatney and DL Cedric Wilcots II (achilles) are out … And Stamps P Fraser Masin is now listed as a game-time decision.
tsaelhof@postmedia.com
X: @ToddSaelhofPM
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