The BC Lions Football Club is pleased to announce that halfback Korey Banks and safety Barron Miles have been named to the 2009 CFL All-Star team.Banks and Miles were selected by 54 voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) representing eight CFL markets and a national chapter as well as the eight CFL head coaches and CFL fans from across the country.
Through the CFL.ca All-Star balloting program, nearly half a million player selections were cast by fans across the country.
Banks racked up 56 tackles, five sacks, four interceptions, two tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles in the 2009 campaign, and added three tackles in the Lions' East Semi-Final victory last weekend. The gifted defender was recognized as the league's outstanding defensive player for Week 12 and ranked second only to teammate Barron Miles for interceptions on the club, including a nifty 41-yard grab versus the Argonauts on September 19th. This is Banks' third CFL All-Star honour and his second as a Lion ('06), with the first coming in the East Division with the Ottawa Renegades ('05).
Miles grabs his second consecutive CFL distinction after helping anchor the Lions' defensive backfield with 54 tackles, adding another three in last weekend's overtime victory versus Hamilton. The 12-year CFL vet and feared ballhawk led the league in interceptions with eight - enough to move him into second spot all-time with 66 career picks. Further adding to his accolades, Miles also blocked a convert in 2009 to become the all-time CFL leader with 13 career blocked kicks. Miles has previously been named to the CFL All-Star team on five occasions ('99, '00, '02, '06, '08).
The BC Lions travel to Montreal to take on the Alouettes in the East Final on Sunday, November 22nd 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.
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