On Wednesday, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers welcomed back 2019 CFL All-Star DB Winston Rose. In addition, the team also signed former BC Lions running back Shaq Cooper.
Winston Rose is a 27-year-old from Inglewood, California. He played college football at New Mexico State for three years. He played in 26 games with 106 tackles, five interceptions, 13 passes defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one special teams block.
After college, he went undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft and signed with the Los Angeles Rams. He was released shortly after and signed with the Indianapolis Colts, and played three preseason games. In 2017, he signed with the Toronto Argonauts and was on their practice squad. He was released in July.
Shortly after his release, Rose signed with the Ottawa Redblacks. He played in four games with the Redblacks before joining the Lions in 2018. Rose played 18 games for the Lions and had 32 tackles and five interceptions.
In 2019, he signed with the Blue Bombers. He played in 18 games with 58 tackles and nine interceptions, with one of them returned for a touchdown. He helped the Blue Bombers win the 107th Grey Cup 32-12 over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. After his dominant season, Rose was named a West Division All-Star and CFL All-Star.
After the Blue Bombers, Rose signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020. He played in two games with the Bengals. Rose spent his time on the practice squad and was released on September 6th, 2021.
Shaq Cooper is a 28-year-old from Coral Gables, Florida, who signed with the Lions earlier this year and played in five games with 33 carries for 142-yards, one touchdown, and eleven catches for 69-yards. He was released by the Lions last week.
Shaq Cooper played college football at Fort Hayes State. He played in 35 games with 456 carries for 2,768 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 73 catches for 736-yards and ten touchdowns.
In 2018, Cooper joined the Edmonton Eskimos. He played in seven games in two seasons with 90 carries for 496-yards, two touchdowns, and 21 catches for 156-yards and one touchdown.
