CFL Award Winners Announced
Published on November 14, 2003 under Canadian Football League (CFL) News Release
Regina, Sask â The Canadian Football League today announced the Rogers AT&T CFL Outstanding Player Award Winners. Winners were selected by 45 voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) plus 10 other broadcast media. For this ballot voters were asked to select players from Divisional award nominees to represent their club and their division as a Rogers AT&T CFL Outstanding Player.
CFL Outstanding Player
Anthony Calvillo, of the Montreal Alouettes was one of the most prolific passers in the Canadian Football League in 2003. Anthony led the league in several categories including pass completions (408), pass attempts (675), passing yards (5891), passing touchdowns (37). Calvillo finished the season with the 3rd highest pass efficiency rating in the league (98.4). Calvillo was last year's East Division Outstanding Player.
Calvillo received 34 first place ballots.
CFL Outstanding Canadian
Ben Cahoon of the Montreal Alouettes has been named the CFL's Outstanding Canadian for the second consecutive season. Although Ben was born in Orem, Utah he spent most of his life between Edmonton and Montreal. Ben led the league in pass receptions with (112), led all non-Imports in pass receiving yards (1561), and shared the league lead in touchdowns scored (15).
Cahoon received 53 first place ballots.
CFL Outstanding Defensive Player
Joe Fleming, Calgary Stampeders, retired from professional football following Calgary's Grey Cup win in 2001. After just one season he returned to the gridiron and was the driving force behind a struggling Calgary Football Club. Fleming excelled on the defensive line recording 11 quarterback sacks including 3 in his first game of the season. This is Fleming's first West Division Outstanding Defensive Player nomination and first ADT CFL Outstanding Defensive Player win.
Fleming received 42 first place ballots.
CFL Outstanding Lineman
Andrew Greene of the Saskatchewan Roughriders was truly outstanding on the âRiders O-Line in 2003. The 4 time Lineman of the Week in 2003 helped the Roughriders to the top of the charts in most league rushing categories. Following the West Division Semi-Final game Player of the Week judge, Ellison Kelly described Greene's work as "outstanding. He was more efficient than dominant."
Greene received 44 first place ballots.
CFL Outstanding Rookie
Frank Cutolo, BC Lions, exploded onto the CFL scene in 2003. After turning heads as a kick returner he moved into a more regular receiving role. Cutolo led all Rookies in pass receiving yards (908), pass receptions (61), touchdowns scored (8), kickoff returns (33), kickoff return yards (693), punt returns (60), and punt return yards (553).
Cutolo received 47 first place ballots.
CFL Outstanding Special Teams Player
Bashir Levingston of the Toronto Argonauts re-wrote the book on special teams in 2003. Levingston set a league record when he scored 5 special teams touchdowns this season and tied (Blount, 1998) a league record when he returned 2 kickoffs for touchdowns. Levingston led the league in punt return yards (811), was second in the CFL in Kickoff return yards (881), and averaged an astonishing 30 yards per kickoff return.
Levingston received 52 first place ballots.
Commissioner's Award Tom Pate Award
The Commissioner's award has been presented to TSN for their outstanding continued support and dedication to the Canadian Football League.
Steve Hardin, of the BC Lions has been awarded the Tom Pate Award for outstanding contributions to the league, his team and his community. This award is voted on by the CFLPA.
Rogers AT&T Fans Choice
Edmonton's Ricky Ray has emerged victorious in the inaugural presentation of the 2003 Rogers AT&T Player Of The Game race. Ray ran away from the pack with three weeks left in the regular season. Damon Allen and Anthony Calvillo finished in a two-way tie for second place. The group of players vying for the top honours in this group was an ultra-competitive bunch. The lead changed hands many times over the course of the season until Ray stepped up and asserted himself. The Rogers AT&T Player of the Game received 15 points toward his annual total. The second place player received 10 points and the third place player received 5 points. Points were awarded following each CFL on TSN broadcast.
Canadian Football League Stories from November 14, 2003
- Bashir Levingston Wins Special Teams Award - Toronto Argonauts
- CFL Award Winners Announced - CFL
- Joe Fleming named to CFL All-Star team - Calgary Stampeders
- Riders Won't Comment on Barrett - Saskatchewan Roughriders
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
