Super Mario Alford Is the CFL's Most Outstanding Special Teams Player
November 17, 2022 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Saskatchewan Roughriders News Release
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are happy to announce that American receiver and returner Mario Alford has capped off his record-breaking season by being named the CFL's Most Outstanding Special Teams Player.
Alford came over to the Saskatchewan Roughriders via trade in Week 5 and went on to make CFL and Roughrider history. In just his second game in Green and White he ran a missed field goal back 112-yards for a touchdown. An electric athlete, Alford also had a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown in Week 10 against the Elks and a 92-yard kickoff return touchdown versus the Blue Bombers in Week 14. His league-leading fourth and final return of the year - the 104- yard punt return in Week 20 against the Stampeders, cemented his place in the history books.
With that final return touchdown, Alford became just the fifth player in CFL history and first-ever Rider to complete the 'Trifecta' (kick return touchdown, punt return touchdown, missed field goal return touchdown) in a single season. He also broke the Roughriders' record for most return touchdowns by an individual in a single season (4).
In total this season, he recorded 43 punt returns for 524 yards (12.2 avg) and one touchdown, 37 kickoff returns for 937 yards (25.3 avg) and two touchdowns, and three missed field goal returns for 129 yards (43 avg) and another major. This is the first CFL Award of Alford's career.
The best return man in the league will be back in Green and White for the 2023 season after he signed a contract extension this past Tuesday.
Canadian Football League Stories from November 17, 2022
- Back-To-Back: Blue Bombers Quarterback Zach Collaros Wins Most Outstanding Player - CFL
- Nathan Rourke Wins CFL Most Outstanding Canadian Award - B.C. Lions
- Taebyn Tulp Awarded Inaugural Glenn "KeeperâÃâ¬Ã Mcwhinney Scholarship - CFL
- Super Mario Alford Is the CFL's Most Outstanding Special Teams Player - Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Jeff Harbin Presented with Commissioner's Award - CFL
- Rick LeLacheur Wins His Second Hugh Campbell Distinguished Leadership Award - B.C. Lions
- Rick Lelacheur Honoured with Hugh Campbell Distinguished Leadership Award - CFL
- Dan Clark Named 2022 Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Award Winner - CFL
- Gail Mund Named Recipient of the Third Annual Jane Mawby Tribute Award - CFL
- Argonauts Injury Report Grey Cup, Day 2 - Thursday, November 17, 2022 - Toronto Argonauts
- CFL Officials Named for 109th Grey Cup - CFL
- Old Dutch Foods Partners with the CFL for the 2023 Season - CFL
- Paredes Extends Stampeders Career - Calgary Stampeders
- Argonauts Injury Report Grey Cup, Day 1 - Wednesday, November 16, 2022 - Toronto Argonauts
- Thursday Drone Show Postponed to Saturday - 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.
