Blue Bombers Announce Team Award Winners
Published on October 30, 2013 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers News Release
WINNIPEG, MB - The Canadian Football League (CFL) announced today the team winners for the 2013 Gibson's Finest CFL Player Awards. Players were selected by voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) and the CFL head coaches.
Third year standout linebacker Henoc Muamba dominated the ballots for the Blue Bombers, taking home Most Outstanding Player, Most Outstanding Defensive Player and Most Outstanding Canadian - all by unanimous decision. Muamba enjoyed a breakout season in 2013, playing in all 17 games to date. The St. Francis Xavier product, who was chosen first overall in the 2011 CFL Draft, has racked up 97 tackles, 18 special teams tackles, one sack and one interception in 2013. His 97 defensive tackles has him sitting in third in the CFL with one game remaining. This is Muamba's second season in a row in which he claimed the top Canadian honour with the Blue Bombers.
For the second season in a row, two-time East Division All-Star Glenn January takes home the team award for Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman. January, in his seventh season in the CFL and fifth with the Blue Bombers, has suited up for 16 games at left tackle - missing one due to injury. His veteran presence anchored an offensive line that dealt with injuries throughout the 2013 season.
Second year running back/kick returner Will Ford was a major bright spot on the Bombers' special teams units in 2013, earning himself the team award for Most Outstanding Special Teams Player. Twice this season Ford was named CFL Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 11 & 15) for his dynamic returning abilities. During the Week 11 Banjo Bowl, Ford ran back a kickoff 98 yards for a major, then followed that up four weeks later by returning another kickoff 100 yards to the endzone in Calgary. His 1,047 kick return yards has him third on that list in the CFL in 2013.
Ian Wild joined the Blue Bombers as a free agent in May of 2013 and after spending the first three weeks on the club's practice roster, was pressed into starting duty for the July 19 game against Toronto. The rookie linebacker quickly showcased his abilities and never looked back, earning him the team award for Most Outstanding Rookie. The product of Mercyhurst College sits third on the team's tackles list with 65, while adding 13 special teams tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery which he returned 54 yards for a touchdown (August 16 vs. Hamilton).
The East and West Division winners for the 2013 Gibson's Finest CFL Player Awards will be announced on Thursday, November 7 at noon ET.
The 2013 Gibson's Finest CFL Player Awards will be handed out on Thursday, November 21 at Conexus Centre in Regina. Tickets for the show are available at www.conexusartscentre.ca or by calling (306)-525-9999. Select awards show tickets also provide access to the Leader-Post Player Awards Post Party at Conexus Centre.
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