Shane Bergman spent seven seasons with the Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders before retiring in January, 2021. Bergman, an offensive lineman, played in 93 regular season games and 10 post-season matchups, including Grey Gup victories in 2014 and 2018. In 2019, Bergman was named to the West Division and CFL all-star rosters. He was also recognized as the Stampeders’ Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.
In 2020, 3 Down Nation listed Bergman as one of the Top 100 Active CFL players. He was also designated as one of the top 75 Calgary Stampeders of all time.
Referred to as a “technician” with effortless skill, Bergman was said to be one of those athletes who “makes the players around him better.” He was noted for his run blocking and ability to defend the quarterback. Over one four-season period with the Stampeders, Bergman surrendered a total of only four sacks, an achievement made more noteworthy by the fact that the team threw the ball more than 2,500 times during that time.
Stampeders’ teammate Derek Dennis said of Bergman, “You knew every time he stepped on the field he was going to go hard, he was going to do his job 100% and he was going to be the toughest dude to beat.” Former Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell referred to Bergman as a “very selfless guy.”
Upon Shane’s retirement, Offensive Line Coach Pat DelMonaco, who had the pleasure of coaching Shane for six seasons, noted that Shane would be “very difficult to replace” and noted that Shane “worked extremely hard at his craft to become a consistent starter the team relied on.” Not just a supreme athlete but also “well respected not only by his coaches and teammates in Calgary, but also by all of his opponents. Every player in the league knew he had to be the best when he went up against Shane.”
Prior to suiting up for the Stampeders, Bergman played for the Western Ontario Mustangs. In 2012, Bergman was part of a Mustangs offensive line that helped Western lead the CIS with 289.1 rushing yards per game. The Mustangs were third in total offence with 40.9 points and 535.1 yards per contest. Bergman played six regular-season games and one playoff game for the Mustangs in the 2012 season.
As a high school player, Bergman helped the Waterford District High School Wolves earn the league title. He’s returned to the school to do some coaching, and offer his knowledge to other lineman pursuing the sport.