(Vancouver) The Canadian Football League has named its 2009 Gibson's Finest CFL Player finalists this morning and among them are Lions defensive end Ricky Foley, running back Martell Mallett and special teams warrior Jason Arakgi, who will represent the West in the Outstanding Canadian, Outstanding Rookie, and Outstanding Special Teams Player categories respectively.In just his first season starting at the rush end position, Foley terrorized the opposition to the tune of 12 sacks and 51 defensive tackles, good enough for the league sack lead as well as CFL Defensive Player of the Month kudos for September. Despite suffering a broken thumb in Week 15, the fourth-year Lion continued to maintain his consistent statistical output, recording 15 tackles and a sack over the final four games of the regular season. With Foley's nomination, the Lions are on pace to continue their domination of the Outstanding Canadian Player vote, as the club has picked up league honours in the category in four of the past five seasons (2004 - Jason Clermont, 2005 - Brent Johnson, 2006 - Brent Johnson, 2007 - Jason Clermont).
Bruising running back Martell Mallett who was named a West Division All-Star yesterday, racked up 1,240 yards and six TD's on 214 carries to round out the 2009 season, despite sitting out Weeks 17 and 18 due to a lingering foot injury. The versatile Pine Bluff, Arkansas native also notched 43 receptions for 342 yards and two TD's. After arriving on the scene in Week 1, the 'Hammer' immediately made an impact in his first season as a Leo, including a 21-carry, 213-yard performance versus the East Division powerhouse Montreal Alouettes in Week 10, earning him the nod as the league's Offensive Player of the Week. Mallett's selection marks the third time in four seasons that a Lion has been selected as the division's Outstanding Rookie (2006 - Aaron Hunt, 2007 - Cam Wake).
Jason Arakgi dominated the special teams tackles charts for most of the 2009 season, closing out his sophomore campaign with 35. The speedy special teams ace was on pace to set a new league record for season totals in the category before being sidelined in Week 17 due to a pulled quad muscle. Today's nomination comes on the heels of Arakgi's selection as a West Division All-Star yesterday.
The league-wide winners will be announced during Grey Cup week in Calgary at the Gibson's Finest CFL Player Awards on Thursday, November 26th.
The BC Lions travel to Hamilton to take on the Tiger-Cats in the East Division Semi-Final on Sunday, November 15th at 1:00 pm (ET). Catch all the action live on the new home of the Lions, TEAM 1410 - Sunday's pregame show begins at 8:00 am. Follow the Lions daily on Twitter throughout the 2009 season! For more information on the BC Lions Football Club, please visit our website at bclions.com.
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