Heart & Soul?
It’s a sad day in section 2A. Jamie Stoddard was released today. Boyd and I always felt the hardworking receiver was the heart & soul of the Bombers. He was clutch when you needed him to be, even if he never got the attention he deserved. He’ll be missed.
AA
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From bluebombers.com
ACQUIRED – Stoddard originally signed with the Blue Bombers as a free agent on Feb. 10, 2000.
2007 (WPG) – One of the unsung heroes of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Stoddard was his usual dependable self in 2007. He suited up for 16 regular season games, including one start. He hauled in 11 passes for 110 yards including a season high three receptions for 23 yards on July 13 versus the Edmonton Eskimos. Stoddard was also an integral part of the Bombers’ special teams unit. He was the regular holder for kickers Troy Westwood and Rob Pikula on field goal attempts and added eight special teams tackles. Stoddard started both of the Bombers’ playoff victories against the Montreal Alouettes in the East Semi-final and the Toronto Argonauts in the East Final, grabbing two passes for 20 yards. Stoddard was also a starter in the 2007 Grey Cup, hauling in one pass for 14 yards in a losing effort against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
2006 (WPG) – Stoddard appeared in all 18 regular season games for the Blue Bombers, the fifth time he has done that in his CFL career. He finished the regular season with 19 catches for 273 yards and one TD. His 14.4 yards per catch was the third best average among Bomber regulars. He had his best game of the season on Sept. 10 versus the Saskatchewan Roughriders when he had three catches for 70 yards. Stoddard was also one of the team’s most valuable special teams performers, serving as the holder on all field goal and extra point attempts. He also started in the team’s East Semi-final contest with the Toronto Argonauts.
2005 (WPG) – Stoddard dressed for all 18 regular season games and saw time at both wide receiver and at slotback. He was his regular steady self, snagging 30 passes for 431 yards (the fifth best yards from scrimmage on the team) and two TDs. He also had a stellar 14.4 yards per catch average. He had his best game of the season on Aug. 13 versus the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, when he had four catches for 83 yards, including a season long of 38 yards. Stoddard was also a major contributor on special teams. He notched eight special teams tackles, the fifth best total on the team, and was place kicker Troy Westwood’s regular holder on field goals and converts.
2004 (WPG) – Stoddard played in 14 regular-season games. He caught 31 balls for 523 yards and two touchdowns. His longest reception was 47 yards, which came against Toronto on Sept. 18 when he had 102 total yards.
2003 (WPG) – Stoddard played in all 18 regular-season games, plus the 2003 West Division Semi-final. He emerged as a leader on the receiving corps, making one impressive catch after another. He also took on additional duties by serving as the holder for Troy Westwood on special teams. Stoddard finished the season with 27 catches for 401 yards and one touchdown. He added two special teams tackles and one defensive tackle to his totals.
CAREER – (2002) Stoddard played in all of Winnipeg’s 18 regular-season games in 2002, plus the West Semi-final and the West Final. He had 27 receptions for 387 yards and one touchdown…(2001) Stoddard re-signed with the Blue Bombers on March 8. He played in every Blue Bomber game in 2001, starting 14 of the club’s 18 regular-season contests as well as the East Division Final and the Grey Cup. Stoddard recorded 34 catches for 526 yards and a 15.5-yard average in 2001. He added four touchdowns for the season. Stoddard had the first 100-yard receiving game of his career early in 2001 against the Toronto Argonauts (July 13). He hauled in five passes for 126 yards, including a career-long 68-yard reception early in the game. The slotback had the first multiple touchdown game of his young CFL career against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Sept. 8). He first reached the end zone late in the third quarter when quarterback Khari Jones threaded a seven-yard pass to him. Jones then found Stoddard again in the fourth quarter on a 25-yard TD connection…(2000) Stoddard began the season – his debut year in the league – on Winnipeg’s practice roster, but his solid work ethic and steady improvement led to his regular insertion into the Big Blue’s game-day lineup. Stoddard played in 12 games for the Blue Bombers in 2000, as well as the East Division Semi-final against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the East Division Final against the Montréal Alouettes. He recorded his first CFL catch against the Calgary Stampeders (Aug. 16) and made his first start in the league against the Edmonton Eskimos (Nov. 3).
COLLEGE – Stoddard came to Winnipeg as a free agent after a stellar college career at the University of Alberta. When he wasn’t terrorizing opposing defensive backs, he was winning awards and picking up honors. Stoddard was a five-year force for the Golden Bears – taking home CIAU First-Team All-Canadian honors in his final season. Selected Alberta’s Most Valuable Player in 1999, he was also a nominee for the school’s Outstanding Male Athlete Award in both 1998 and 1999. He also won the school’s prestigious Jimmy Condon Scholarship.
PERSONAL – Stoddard works as a teacher in the off-season. He enjoys movies, reading, golf, going to the beach and golfing. Stoddard is an avid music fan and lists the Watchmen and Neil Young as two of his favourite musical acts. He also enjoys quiet solitude and poetry.
