2011 GIBSON’S FINEST CFL PLAYER AWARD WINNERS: Lulay earns top honour as Gibson’s Finest CFL Most Outstanding Player

Vancouver, B.C. — The Canadian Football League (CFL) announced tonight the winners of the 2011 Gibson’s Finest CFL Player Awards. This year’s recipients were honoured at the Gibson’s Finest CFL Player Awards show in Vancouver, British Columbia, home of the 99th Grey Cup.

This year’s award winners were selected by 62 voting members, including representation from the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) from the eight CFL markets, a national chapter and CFL head coaches.

Voters were asked to select players from the League who, through on-field performance excellence, best represent the awards’ title: Most Outstanding Player, Most Outstanding Canadian, Most Outstanding Defensive Player, Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman, Most Outstanding Rookie and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player.

Also announced at the 2011 Gibson’s Finest CFL Player Awards show were the Commissioner’s Award and the Tom Pate Memorial Award.

Gibson’s Finest CFL Most Outstanding Player – Travis Lulay – QB – B.C. Lions

In his first full season as a starting quarterback in the CFL, Lulay completed 342 passes on 583 pass attempts (58.7%) for 4,815 yards and tied for a league-leading 32 touchdown passes. Lulay finished the regular season with only 11 interceptions and a QB passer rating of 95.8. The product of Montana State also had 47 carries for 391 yards and three touchdowns.

Lulay also played a big role in turning around the Lions’ season. After starting the year with five-straight losses, the Lions won 11 of their last 13 games to finish with an 11-7 record and capture first place in the West Division.

This is Lulay’s first CFL Most Outstanding Player Award.

Lulay received 44 first place votes.

CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player – Jovon Johnson – DB – Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back Jovon Johnson had a career year, finishing the season with a league-leading eight interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. Johnson also compiled 55 defensive tackles and five knockdowns. The product of Iowa University anchored a defensive secondary that ranked best in most categories, including fewest passing yards allowed, holding opponents to the lowest pass completion percentage and most interceptions.

This is Johnson’s first CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award.

Johnson received 37 first place votes.

CFL Most Outstanding Canadian – Jerome Messam – RB – Edmonton Eskimos

Edmonton Eskimo Jerome Messam had a breakout year in 2011, becoming the first Canadian running back to finish with more than a 1,000 yards rushing in a single season since Sean Millington in 2000. Messam finished the season with 195 carries for 1,057 yards, third most by any running back this season, and six touchdowns. The Toronto native also had 27 receptions for 248 yards. In just his second season, Messam was also named a CFL All-Star.

This is Messam’s first CFL Most Outstanding Canadian Player Award.

Messam received 55 first place votes.

CFL Most Outstanding Lineman – Josh Bourke – OT – Montreal Alouettes

Josh Bourke anchored a Montreal Alouettes offensive line that allowed the second fewest quarterback sacks in the CFL this season with 34. Bourke also helped the Alouettes finish the season with the most passing yards and the third most rushing yards. The Als offensive tackle was also named a CFL All-Star.

This is Bourke’s first CFL Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award.

Bourke received 35 first place votes.

CFL Most Outstanding Special Teams Player – Paul McCallum – K/P – B.C. Lions

B.C. Lions kicker and punter Paul McCallum had a record-setting year, resulting in his first Most Outstanding Special Teams Player Award. Earlier this season, McCallum connected on 30-consecutive field goals, breaking the previous record of 28 held by Dave Ridgway. The 19-year CFL veteran also set a record for field goal accuracy in a single season, connecting on 94.3 per cent of his attempts (50/53), surpassing the previous record of 90.9 per cent held by former BC Lion Lui Passaglia.

McCallum led the League in scoring with 203 points. He also had 123 punts for 5,183 yards, an average of 42.1 yards, and five singles. The native of Vancouver also had 102 kickoffs for 5,877 yards.

McCallum received 42 first place votes.

CFL Most Outstanding Rookie – Chris Williams – WR – Hamilton Tiger-Cats

In first CFL season, Hamilton Tiger-Cats wide receiver Chris Williams had 70 receptions for 1,064 yards and six touchdowns. Williams highest output this season came in his third career game when he had eight receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown. The product of New Mexico State also had six carries for 43 yards. Williams was also called upon to return kicks on occasion. He returned 12 punts for 81 yards and 12 kickoffs for 252 yards, including a 93-yard touchdown.

Williams received 48 first place votes.

Tom Pate Memorial Award – Kevin Glenn – QB – Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Kevin Glenn is named the 2011 recipient of the Tom Pate Memorial Award. The Tom Pate Award is handed out each year to a CFL player who displays qualities that distinguish them from their peers.

Every year the CFLPA invites each CFL Club to nominate a team member for this award. The recipient must be a player with outstanding sportsmanship and someone who has made a significant contribution to his team and to his community and Association.

Commissioner’s Award

This award is presented annually to someone or a group who have made a tremendous contribution to the Canadian Football League. This year’s recipient of the Commissioner’s Award is Larry Reda. Reda has been Director and President of the BC Junior Football League, has served as President of Football BC, was the executive director of the BC High School Football Association for 22 years and is currently the Chairman of the BC High School Championships Subway Bowl. He has also won what is now the Bob Ackles Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the Lions and their annual Orange Helmet Awards Banquet, and is a trustee of the newly formed BC Football Hall of Fame.

“We wanted to recognize the tremendous growth and vitality of amateur football in BC, and Larry has been one of the people driving that growth and vitality,” said CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon.

Over the last 20 years, the number of participants in amateur football in British Columbia has more than doubled and the number of high schools with football programs has more than quadrupled.