CFL B.C. Lions

Elimimian Earns Double Nomination as Lions Team Awards Announced

Published on November 5, 2014 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
B.C. Lions News Release


(Vancouver) BC Lions linebacker Solomon Elimimian will be a busy man this week as the record-setting defender not only prepares for the club's final regular season game against the Calgary Stampeders on Friday, but an off-field campaign as the Lions' unanimous nominee as Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Defensive Player.

Elimimian's double nomination headlines team award winners announced by the CFL this morning. Also included in the honour roll were Jovan Olafioye as Most Outstanding Lineman, Rolly Lumbala as Most Outstanding Canadian, Paul McCallum as Most Outstanding Special Teams Player and Josh Johnson as Most Outstanding Rookie.

Shattering the CFL record for tackles in a season with 137 (and counting), Elimimian enjoys his first team nomination in the Defensive Player category as well as Outstanding Player. Averaging eight defensive stops per game, the fifth-year Lion has been a terror for opposing offences all season and interestingly, follows linebacker Adam Bighill's 2013 campaign as double nominee in both categories. Solomon was also the CFL's selection as Outstanding Rookie in 2010.

Right tackle Jovan Olafioye makes it four years running as the club's nominee as Outstanding Lineman. The Detroit native has not missed a game in five seasons with the club and has represented the West Division in the category for the past three seasons, taking home league-wide honours in 2012.

Fullback Rolly Lumbala earns his first selection as the Lions' Outstanding Canadian. The seven-year vet is easily one of the club's most underrated players who in addition to enjoying a more significant role on offence this season with a career-high 124 receiving yards, also continues his stand-out special teams play with eight tackles on the year.

Kicker Paul McCallum checks in with yet another rock-steady season, his 22nd as a pro and 11th in a Lions uniform. Good on 35 of 39 field goal attempts for a success rate of 89.7 on the season and notching 142 points on the year to date, McCallum won CFL honours in 2011 and is set to lead the Lions into the playoffs where he hasn't missed a field goal in eight years.

Josh Johnson follows in a long line of notable first-year Leos who have taken home the hardware as Most Outstanding Rookie. Coming to the club from Purdue University and taking on the task of replacing Korey Banks at the difficult 'nickel' position, Johnson has performed like a seasoned pro on one of the CFL's most dominant defences with 42 tackles, two interceptions including one for a major and four sacks.

The East and West Division winners for the 2014 CFL Awards will be announced on Thursday, November 13 at 9:00 am PT. The 2014 CFL Awards will be handed out on Thursday, November 27 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver.

There's no better way to enjoy BC Lions football than the Global BC Family Zone ($30 including free hotdog and small pop) or the Gemstone Gridiron Deck ($30). Both sections are on sale now - visit Ticketmaster or call 604.589.ROAR for more information.

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Canadian Football League Stories from November 5, 2014


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