On November 24, most of Wisconsin was looking on in disappointment as the San Francisco 49ers made fools of the Green Bay Packers on national television. Around the same time that blowout was in progress, a segment of metro Milwaukee was focused on another football game that was happening north of the U.S. border.

Out at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Alberta, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were taking on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a battle for the Grey Cup. The Canadian Football League championship game—which is watched by more than four million people and is regarded as Canada’s largest professional sports event—had at least some local relevance because one of the players is from Franklin, Wisconsin.

After playing high school ball in Franklin, quarterback Sean McGuire went to Western Illinois. In his three seasons there, he started 27 games, was voted team captain, and was twice awarded Honorable Mention All-Missouri Valley Football Conference. After his impressive collegiate career, the former college standout was signed by the Blue Bombers this year. Though he was the backup in his rookie season, McGuire managed to complete two of three attempts on the year for a total of 17 passing yards.

Winnipeg topped Hamilton 33-12 in a game that was attended by more than 35,000 fans. Though McGuire didn’t take any snaps in the Grey Cup, the Franklin native is a CFL champion nonetheless. Congrats to the Blue Bombers, our new favorite Canadian Football League franchise.

About The Author

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Co-Founder and Editor

Before co-founding Milwaukee Record, Tyler Maas wrote for virtually every Milwaukee publication (except Wassup! Magazine). He lives in Bay View and enjoys both stuff and things.