Blue Bombers to induct former QB Ken Ploen to Ring of Honour

A former all-star quarterback who helped the Blue and Gold secure four Grey Cup wins in the late '50s and early '60s is being recognized by the club for his years of contributions on the field.

Ploen led the University of Iowa to a Rose Bowl championship win before joining the Bombers in 1957. He made several CFL all-star appearances over the course of his career.

"He was the West Division's all-star quarterback [in 1957], and was such a gifted athlete that he was also named a division all-star at defensive back in 1958 after setting what was then a club record with 10 interceptions," the Winnipeg Blue Bombers said in a statement Monday.

Ploen helped the Bombers win a Grey Cup in his second year with the team in 1958, and then three more times, in 1959, 1961 and 1962.

"This is really a tribute to the team we had back then," Ploen said in a statement. "We had a great team because it was a team in the purest sense of the word. It was full of good Canadians and Americans, and we got along great together and played well together. I'm very humbled about it."

Ploen will be officially inducted into the Ring of Honour Thursday night as the Blue Bombers take on the Edmonton Eskimos at Investors Group Field.

The Bombers have an open call out to fans for Ring of Honour inductee suggestions. Player recommendations can be submitted through the team's Bomber Fan Zone webpage.