Stegall, Murphy highlight 2007 Walby's Warriors

If this is Milt Stegall's final season in the Canadian Football League, the long-time Winnipeg Blue Bombers slotback is going out in fine style.

One day before his Bombers face the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 95th Grey Cup game (CBC pre-game, 3:30 p.m. ET) in Toronto, Stegall was one of16 players named to the 2007 Walby's Warrior team on Saturday.

According to CFL on CBC analyst Chris Walby, a veteran of 16 CFL seasons and a Hall of Fame member, warriors on the football field are defined by heart and character.

They aren't the players with the best end-zone dance, just athletes who don't know the meaning of the word "quit."

Stegall played two years with Walby at the beginning of his career in Winnipeg and was flattered by the recognition.

"It's an honour," Stegall said. "There were a lot of guys who could've won the award. It's more than just the stats, it's being tough. I don't know if he [chose] me because it's probably my last year, but it's definitely an honour and one of the memories I'll keep for a long time.

"A lot of guys are good receivers but they don't want to sacrifice themselves as far as going across the middle and giving up their bodies."

Stegall, who became the CFL's all-time touchdown leader this season with 144, has repeatedly said he's 99.9 per cent sure he'll call it quits after Sunday's big game.

Besides this award, Stegall can't think of a better way to end a future Hall of Fame career than winning the one thing that's eluded him for more than a decade and a half.

"It will be a perfect ending if we win the game," admitted Stegall. "That's what everybody dreams of doing, going out on a high note and riding off into the sunset. I've been fortunate and blessed playing professional football for 16 years and very few people on this earth can say that. So whatever happens I won't complain one bit."

Walby tabbed Rob Murphy of the B.C. Lions as the best offensive lineman.

Murphy was especially gratified that it was Walby, a former lineman himself, who made the selection. For two years, opposing players and media members have accused Murphy of using questionable tactics, but Walby's award gives Murphy confirmation that he plays the right way.

"With so much talk this year of how I play the game and how 'dirty' I am, it's refreshing to hear someone who actually played the game and played my position and knows what it really takes to be a good player in this league," said Murphy, named the CFL's top offensive lineman at Thursday's league awards ceremony for the second straight season.

Walby's 2007 Warriors

Quarterback

East — Kevin Glenn (Winnipeg); West — Kerry Joseph (Saskatchewan)

Running back

East — Charles Roberts (Winnipeg); West — Joe Smith (B.C.)

Receiver

East — Milt Stegall (Winnipeg); West — D.J. Flick (Saskatchewan)

Offensive lineman

West — Rob Murphy (B.C.), Dan Goodspeed (Winnipeg)

Defensive lineman

East — Jonathan Brown (Toronto); West — Cameron Wake (B.C.)

Linebacker

East — Barrin Simpson (Winnipeg), Zeke Moreno (Hamilton)

Defensive back

East — Kenny Wheaton (Toronto); West — Ryan Phillips (B.C.)

Special teams

East — Dominique Dorsey (Toronto); West — Ian Smart (B.C.)

Warrior of the year

Cameron Wake