Calvillo Earns Top Honours at Gibson's Finest CFL Players Awards
Published on November 20, 2008 under Canadian Football League (CFL) News Release
Montreal, QC - (November 20, 2008) - Montreal Alouettes Quarterback Anthony Calvillo is the 2008 Gibson's Finest CFL Most Outstanding Player, the Canadian Football League announced tonight.
Calvillo, the Eastern nominee, edged out Western nominee and Calgary Stampeders Quarterback Henry Burris as the 2008 Gibson's Finest CFL Player Awards were handed out at the Casino de Montreal.
The two pivots will lead their teams in the battle for Canadian football's ultimate prize, the Grey Cup, on Sunday (kickoff 6 p.m. on TSN).
Also winning Outstanding Player Awards this evening were Dominique Dorsey from the Toronto Argonauts (Outstanding Special Teams Player), Weston Dressler from the Saskatchewan Roughriders (Outstanding Rookie), Scott Flory of the Montreal Alouettes (Outstanding Offensive Lineman), Kamau Peterson of the Edmonton Eskimos (Outstanding Canadian) and Cam Wake of the BC Lions (Outstanding Defensive Player).
"On behalf of our fans from coast to coast, I congratulate these tremendous athletes, their fellow nominees, and the teammates and coaches who made their success possible," said CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon.
"Our rallying cry this year has been 'This is Our League.' Well, it's players like these, who thrill us on the field, and serve our communities off the field, that make the CFL such an important part of the fabric of our country."
The Outstanding Player Awards are voted on by the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) and the CFL head coaches. This year, the voting panel consisted of 46 members, with representation from each CFL market and a national chapter.
Calvillo's selection caps an impressive and inspirational comeback of sorts, after he spent much of last season away from football, caring for his family as his wife Alexia battled illness.
But his honour wasn't the only emotional moment on a remarkable evening. Cohon chose to honour the memory of legendary player, coach and broadcaster Ron Lancaster, one of several CFL icons who passed away this past year, with the Commissioner's Award, presented each year to someone who has made an extraordinary contribution to the league.
"Ron Lancaster did it all in our league, and everything he did was marked by hard work and high ideals, extraordinary talent and a common touch," said Cohon, who presented the award in memoriam to the Lancaster family.
"Unique in that he contributed to our league is so many different ways, he is typical of the friends who left us this year, role models and mentors who were often as humble as they were highly accomplished, men who have left us all a legacy on which to build upon."
Also honoured at the 2008 Gibson's Finest CFL Player Awards was Jeremy O'Day of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. O'day was named the recipient of the 2008 Tom Pate Memorial Award, handed out each year to a CFL player who displays qualities that distinguishes him amongst his peers.
Every year the CFLPA invites each CFL Club to nominate a team member for this award. The recipient must be a player with outstanding sportsmanship and someone who has made a significant contribution to his team and to his community and Association.
GIBSON'S FINEST OUTSTANDING PLAYER
QB - Anthony Calvillo - Montreal Alouettes
Anthony Calvillo completed 472 of 682 passes this season for a 69.2% completion rate. He threw for 5,633 yards with 43 touchdown passes and only 13 interceptions. Calvillo led the league in most passing categories and his passer efficiency rating of 107.2 was tops in the CFL. He also ran for 189 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. Calvillo won offensive player of the week three times and offensive player of the month once. This is Anthony's fourth time being nominated for the award and the second time he has won.
Calvillo received 27 of 46 first place ballots.
OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE Player
DE - Cam Wake - British Columbia Lions
Cam Wake recorded 65 tackles and led the league with 23 quarterback sacks and five forced fumbles. His 23 sacks more than doubled any other player in the league and represent the fifth highest total in CFL history. Wake also recovered three fumbles and scored a touchdown this season. Cam Wake was named the Defensive Player of the Week three times and defensive player of the month twice. This is Cam Wake's second Outstanding Defensive Player award and second nomination.
Wake received 44 of 46 first place ballots.
OUTSTANDING CANADIAN
R - Kamau Peterson - Edmonton Eskimos
Kamau Peterson caught 101 passes for 1,317 yards and four touchdowns during the regular season. He ranked second in the league in completions and third in receiving yards. Peterson averaged 13 yards per catch and had a season long of 66 yards. Peterson was named the Canadian player of the week twice and Canadian player of the month once.
Peterson received 25 of 46 first place ballots.
OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
G - Scott Flory - Montreal Alouettes
Scott Flory anchored an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the league, helping the Alouettes lead the league and most offensive categories. This is Flory's first Outstanding Player award, after collecting four nominations (2003, 2005, 2006, 2008).
Flory received 24 of 46 first place ballots.
OUTSTANDING ROOKIE
R - Weston Dressler - Saskatchewan Roughriders
Weston Dressler became an all-around threat for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and finished third in the league with 2,224 combined yards. He recorded 56 receptions for 1,128 yards and six touchdowns. Dressler also had 39 punt returns for 411 yards and 29 kick returns for 603 yards.
Dressler received 37 of 46 first place ballots.
OUTSTANDING SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER
KR - Dominique Dorsey - Toronto Argonauts
Dominique Dorsey led the league with 2,892 combined yards despite missing the last month of the season with a leg injury. Dorsey finished third in the league with 752 punt return yards and a touchdown, second in the league with 1,257 kick return yards on 50 returns and second in the league with 187 missed field goal return yards. His 25.1 yard kick return average led the league. The second year Argo returned a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns this year. Dorsey was named the special teams player of the week four times and special teams player of the month twice.
Dorsey received 33 of 46 first place ballots.
Canadian Football League Stories from November 20, 2008
- Anthony Calvillo Named CFL Most Outstanding Player - Montreal Alouettes
- Weston Dressler Named CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie - Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Cam Wake Earns Second CFL Outstanding Defensive Player Award - B.C. Lions
- Jeremy O'Day receives Tom Pate Award - Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Calvillo Earns Top Honours at Gibson's Finest CFL Players Awards - CFL
- Kamau Peterson Named CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian - Edmonton Elks
- What a day for Larry Tay - Montreal Alouettes
- Close To 200 Students From James Bay To Attend Alouettes Practice Tomorrow - Montreal Alouettes
- Over 60,000 Tickets Sold For The Grey Cup Game On Sunday - Montreal Alouettes
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