Lyle Bauer, a former player and president of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, passed away, his family revealed late on Tuesday. After taking over as CEO in 2000 when the Blue Bombers were having serious financial difficulties, Bauer became one of the most significant individuals in recent Blue Bombers history.
He led the neighborhood team to success both on and off the field, and in 2001 they produced one of their most memorable campaigns, a 14-4 performance that resulted in heartbreak at the hands of the Grey Cup.
“He was instrumental in the team’s revival in the early 2000s and guided the team through some challenging challenges at the turn of the millennium,” the current CEO of the Bombers, Wade Miller, stated in a statement on Wednesday.
“The Never Alone Foundation, his friends throughout the Canadian Football League, and his family are all in our thoughts and prayers.” It is where Bauer leaves an even longer-lasting legacy off the field. Bauer battled cancer in the public eye for five years before to his 2009 departure from the Bombers. Following his battle, he founded the Never Alone Foundation to support other people coping with the illness.
A statement from the Foundation stated, “Thousands of Manitoban cancer patients found solace and support through his efforts.” Even though Lyle is greatly missed, his memory will live on because of the innumerable lives he impacted and his persistent dedication to community service.
You shall always be remembered and sorely lost, #59. Bauer played for the Bombers offensive line from 1982 to 1991, when he wore #59, and he was a member of three championship teams.
He was up in Saskatoon and went to Weber State University in Utah for college. He was selected by Saskatchewan in the fifth round of the 1979 CFL Draft, but he didn’t make his CFL debut until he joined the Bombers in 1982.
He became known as one of the hardest football players quickly, and in 1998 he was inducted into the Blue Bombers Hall of Fame.
Bauer passed away at 65 years old.
