Montreal, Nov. 5, 2009 – The Canadian Football League announced today the winners of each team’s Most Outstanding Player awards as selected by the Football Reporters of Canada and the league’s head coaches. The Alouettes’ top six players of 2009 are:
Most Outstanding Player: Anthony Calvillo (7th selection)
Named the CFL’s 2003 and 2008 Most Outstanding Player, Calvillo was also a finalist for the award in 2002 and 2004. He currently leads the CFL with 26 touchdown passes and 396 completions on 550 attempts (72 per cent), and is second with 4,639 passing yards. This year, he became just the second quarterback in league history to break 60,000 career yards and also passed Ron Lancaster for second-most touchdown passes all-time.
He was named the CFL’s Offensive Player of the Week for Week 4.
Most Outstanding Canadian Player: Ben Cahoon (8th selection)
Named the CFL’s top Canadian player in both 2002 and 2003, Cahoon reached the 1,000 yards-receiving plateau for the eighth consecutive time this season, and the ninth in his career – both team records. He currently leads the league with 88 receptions and reached a number of milestones in 2009 including 200 games played with the Alouettes and passing Don Narcisse for fourth all-time on the league’s career receptions list and sixth for receiving yards.
Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Scott Flory (6th selection)
Named the CFL’s top lineman in 2008, Flory was also tops in the East Division in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2008.
Long considered the leader of the Als’ O-line, Flory is a seven-time CFL All-Star (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008).
Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Anwar Stewart (3rd selection)
Named the CFL’s top defensive player in 2004, Stewart has been an essential part of the Als’ league-leading defence, which has allowed just 47.4 rushing yards per game this season, and has registered 39 sacks. He is second in the league with four forced fumbles and fourth with nine sacks. He also established a new team record last Oct. 12 with his 53rd career sack as Alouette.
He was named the CFL’s Defensive Player of the Week for Week 4.
Most Outstanding Rookie: Jerald Brown (1st selection)
The AFL’s top defensive player in 2006, Brown won a starters’ job in his first year following an outstanding training camp. He is currently fourth in the CFL with four interceptions, which he has returned for a total of 109 yards. He is second on the Alouettes for most tackles for losses, tackles and knockdowns.
He was named the Defensive Player of the Week for Week 15.
Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: Larry Taylor (2nd selection)
Taylor continued to impress as a kick returner this year, winning his second selection as the Alouettes’ top special teamer in a row. He currently leads the league with 788 yards and a pair of touchdowns on punt returns, and is second with 2,029 total yards. He is also among the league’s top kickoff returners. Last week he registered the third-longest missed field goal return in team history, going 115 yards and a score.
He was named the Special Teams Player of the Month for July and won three player of the week awards.
