(Niagara Falls) Quarterback Chad Kelly would trade places with running back Brady Oliveira.
Kelly was named Canadian Football League (CFL) MVP on Thursday at the end-of-season awards ceremony, ahead of Oliveira. But on Sunday, it will be Oliveira and his Winnipeg Blue Bombers who will take part in the Gray Cup game against the Montreal Alouettes.
“We obviously would love to be [at the Gray Cup game], but the past is the past,” Kelly said. You win some matches and lose others. You’d like to win them all, but that’s life.
“I’ve moved on. I know what I need to improve. »
Oliveira did not leave the award ceremony empty-handed, as he won the title of Canadian Player of the Year ahead of Alouettes safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy.
Oliveira led the CFL with 1,534 rushing yards. He scored nine touchdowns, helping the Blue Bombers finish in first place with a 14-4 record. He added 38 catches for 482 yards and four majors.
“It means everything to me,” Oliveira said. I am a proud Canadian, living a childhood dream playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, my hometown.
“But the work is not done. »
Quebecer Mathieu Betts of the British Columbia Lions won the Outstanding Defensive Player award.
The defensive lineman had 18 sacks, a high in CFL history for a Canadian player. He also tackled 44 opponents — including three for losses —, forced three fumbles and blocked a punt.
Betts became the sixth Canadian to win the title and the first since Alex Singleton in 2017.
“This season I didn’t set a goal for sacks and I got this award,” Betts said. My mindset [in 2024] will be similar in terms of bags. If it happens, I’ll be happy, but it’s not something I’ll be looking for. »
Kelly was a key player in the Argonauts’ 16-2 record that tied the CFL record and set a record in Argonauts history.
He has won 15 of the 16 games he has started this season.
In his first season as a starter, he completed 270 of 394 passes for 4,123 yards and 23 touchdowns while rushing for 248 yards for eight more yards. He had 12 interceptions.
He became the first winner of the George Reed Most Outstanding Player Award, renamed in honor of the former Saskatchewan Roughriders star who died last month.
“I am honored to be part of the first George Reed Prize,” said Kelly. Clearly, his legacy is present throughout the CFL and it will live on forever. »
Argonauts cornerback Quan’tez Stiggers was named Most Outstanding Rookie. He was one of four other Argonauts players to be recognized for their work.
Stiggers had a team-high five interceptions and 56 tackles in 16 games. The Argonauts defensive unit led the circuit with 27 steals, 22 forced fumbles and 15 fumbles recovered.
Dejon Allen then got his hands on the Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman award. The Argonauts allowed 19 sacks, fewer than any other team.
Returner Javon Leake was decorated for his performances on the Toronto club’s special teams. He led the league with 81 punt returns for 1,216 yards. He scored four touchdowns, one short of the CFL record.
Ryan Dinwiddie was ultimately named coach of the year after leading the Argonauts to a 16-2 record.
The vote was conducted among Canadian journalists and the nine CFL head coaches.
