HAMILTON — McGill University grad Jesse Briggs has earned a Grey Cup ring for the second time. The 31-year-old native of Kelowna, B.C., helped the Winnipeg Blue Bombers rally to defeat Hamilton 33-25 in overtime at Tim Hortons Field on Sunday night.

Briggs, a 6-foot-1, 207-pound linebacker, was credited with one special teams tackle in the contest.  He is among 11 McGill grads that have combined to win 22 Grey Cup rings, including Hector Pothier, who won six with Edmonton between 1978 and 1987.

It was the 108th presentation of the Grey Cup — which wasn't awarded last year due to the coronavirus pandemic — and a rematch of the 2019 game, a 33-12 decision for the Blue Bombers in Calgary. The last time a team won back-to-back titles was Montreal in 2009 and 2010.

Winnipeg overcame a 22-10 deficit in the fourth quarter to take a 25-22 lead with 2:05 remaining on the clock but Hamilton forced overtime after a 13-yard field goal by Michael Domagala with six seconds left. In the extra period, quarterback Zach Collaros found receiver Darvin Adams in the end zone with 13-yard TD strike.

Recruited from Vanier College, Briggs graduated from McGill in 2014, with a degree physical and health education. He was selected by Winnipeg in the 2014 Canadian Football League draft, where he was picked in the second round, 17th overall.

During 13 league games this season, Briggs scored one touchdown on a fumble recovery and registered 24 defensive tackles to go along with five more on special teams. Over his seven pro seasons, he has dressed for 104 CFL regular season contests, collecting 44 defensive tackles in addition to 62 more on special teams.

Prior to the back-to-back Cups won by Briggs, the last McGill product to win the league title as a player was Randy Chevrier, who captured his third Grey Cup in 2014 with Calgary, to go along with championships in 2008 (Calgary) and 2003 (Edmonton). Another McGill grad who won multiple titles was Joe Poirier, who was also part of three Cups, all with the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1960, 1968 and 1969.

Other McGillians to win the Grey Cup include Patrick Bourgon, as a coach with Ottawa in 2016, Val St. Germain (Saskatchewan, 2007), Robert Leblanc (Edmonton, 2005), Dan Pronyk (Hamilton, 1999), Michael Soles (Edmonton, 1993), Tony Lawson (Toronto, 1983), George Springate (Montreal, 1970) and Buster Brown (Hamilton, 1953).

In 35 career contests over four years with McGill, Briggs was credited with 118 total tackles, including 94 solos, 16.5 for loss and six quarterback sacks. He added a pair of interceptions, five knockdowns and a forced fumble. He won the Friends of McGill Football Trophy as the team's most outstanding defensive player during the 2013 season. Briggs is scheduled to become a free agent in February.

LIST OF MOST GREY CUP CHAMPIONSHIPS WON BY McGILL FOOTBALL GRADS
 

Hector	Pothier	1978	Edmonton	(player)
Hector	Pothier	1979	Edmonton	(player)
Hector	Pothier	1980	Edmonton	(player)
Hector	Pothier	1981	Edmonton	(player)
Hector	Pothier	1982	Edmonton	(player)
Hector	Pothier	1987	Edmonton	(player)
Joe	Poirier	1960	Ottawa	(player)
Joe	Poirier	1968	Ottawa	(player)
Joe	Poirier	1969	Ottawa	(player)
Randy	Chevrier	2003	Edmonton	(player)
Randy	Chevrier	2008	Calgary	(player)
Randy	Chevrier	2014	Calgary	(player)
Buster	Brown	1953	Hamilton	(player)
George	Springate	1970	Montreal	(player)
Tony	Lawson	1983	Toronto	(player)
Michael	Soles	1993	Edmonton	(player)
Dan	Pronyk	1999	Hamilton	(player)
Robert	Leblanc	2005	Edmonton	(player)
Val	St.Germain	2007	Saskatchewan	(player)
Patrick	Bourgon	2016	Ottawa	(coach)
Jesse	Briggs	2019	Winnipeg	(player)

Jesse

Briggs

2021

Winnipeg

(player)

SOURCE::
 
Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
514-398-7012 (Tel.)
MOBILE SITE: http://mcgillathletics.ca/mobile/index.aspx
WEBSITE: www.mcgillathletics.ca
E-MAIL: earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca