CFL Calgary Stampeders

Stampeders name player award winners

Published on October 16, 2003 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Calgary Stampeders News Release


(Calgary) - The Canadian Football League today announced the team nominees for the Rogers AT&T CFL Player Awards. The team nominees were selected by 45 voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC). In this ballot Five FRC representatives from each region submitted votes for each award. Voters were asked to select players from their local club whom they believed to be most deserving of each of the 6 awards (Outstanding Player, Outstanding Canadian, Outstanding Defensive Player, Outstanding Lineman, Outstanding Rookie, and Outstanding Special Teams Player (John Agro).

The Calgary Stampeder Football Club today in conjunction with the CFL announced their nominees for the Rogers AT&T CFL Player Awards. Veteran Joe Fleming and second-year offensive lineman Bobby Singh captured two spots for the Red and White.

Fleming who announced his retirement following the 2001 Grey Cup year; returned this season to have a career campaign. The local chapter of the FRC today selected Joe Fleming as the team's Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Defensive Player. His selection as Defensive Player was unanimous it marks the third time during his three year stint as a Stampeder that Fleming has represented the team as their Most Outstanding Defensive Player. Four Stampeders in the past have represented the West as the Most Outstanding Defensive Player in the CFL since the new format in 1974. Linebacker Alondra Johnson in 1998, Defensive Lineman Will Johnson in 1991, Linebacker Danny Bass in 1983 and John Helton in 1974. Three Stampeder players in the past have won the award in the CFL as the Most Outstanding Defensive Player; Linebacker Wayne Harris took the honor on 4 different occasions, big John Helton won it twice while Don Luzzi was the first Stampeder to capture the award in 1958.

Big Joe becomes the first Stampeder defensive player since Doug Landry in 1989 to be named the team's Most Outstanding Player. Fleming has been dominant on and off the field this season. For most of the 16 game schedule to date he has lead the league in quarterback sacks as well becoming the Mark Messier of the CFL from a leadership standpoint.

Big Bobby Singh is a first time nominee and dual nominee as well. Being named the team's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman and Top Canadian. Singh who was originally drafted by the Stampeders in the first round, 8th overall in the 1999 CFL Canadian College Draft is in his second campaign with the Red and White. His selection as Offensive Lineman was unanimous. In 2001 Jay McNeil was the last Stampeder offensive lineman to capture both top lineman and Canadian honors. Fred Childress became the first Stampeder offensive lineman to capture the league honour as the Most Offensive Lineman in 1998.

Rookie defensive back Joey Boese was named the Most Outstanding Rookie. Boese has seen plenty of action this season in the secondary, first as a nickel back and the last few games he as been the starting safety for the Stampeders. He has recorded 25 defensive tackles and 3 pass knockdowns.

Second-year Stampeder Wane McGarity continues to be special. Despite missing several games due to injury he remains second in punt returns in the league. To date he has run back 3 returns for touchdowns. He has returned two of his 46 punt returns for touchdowns. His two returns for touchdowns in a season is second best in Stampeder history; Derrick Crawford in 1990 returned three for touchdowns. Pee Wee Smith in 1991 and Marvin Coleman in 1999 each returned two punts for six points in those campaigns. On Labour Day he electrified the sold-out crowd with a 126 yard missed field goal return for a touchdown. Wane will represent the team as the Special Teams Player of the Year as it was unanimous selection.

STAMPEDER FOOTBALL ... A WINNING TRADITION!

The 2003 Calgary Stampeders host the Saskatchewan Roughriders, October 19th, with kickoff at 2:00 pm. Purchase your tickets online at www.stampeders.com or www.ticketmaster.ca. To order by phone, call the Stampeder Ticket Office at 403.289.0258. For more information on the Calgary Stampeder Football Club, please visit our web site at www.stampeders.com.

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