Lions dominate Player Awards
Friday, November 17, 2006
By Darrell Davis,
Regina Leader-Post
WINNIPEG -- Hoping it's a forewarning for the Grey Cup game, the B.C. Lions steamrolled their opponents when the CFL's outstanding player awards were presented Thursday night.
"We figured we would have an opportunity to win a few awards, but we didn't know we'd sweep them,'' said slotback Geroy Simon, one of four Lions to win five of the league's six outstanding player awards during the annual ceremony. The event is part of the festivities leading to Sunday's Grey Cup game between B.C. and the Montreal Alouettes
"When I came into the league my goal was to be a 1,000-yard receiver. It's been a dream season. We've just got to finish it off.''
The other Lions receiving trophies were: dual-winner Brent Johnson, a rush end chosen the outstanding defensive player and Canadian; defensive tackle Aaron Hunt, the younger brother of Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Reggie Hunt who was named the top rookie; and Rob Murphy, chosen as the best offensive lineman in the closest category over Montreal Alouettes guard Scott Flory, a Regina product who was runner-up for the third time in four years. Saskatchewan tackle Gene Makowsky was the CFL's outstanding offensive lineman each of the past two years.
"It would be nice to win (an award),'' said Flory. "But it would be nice because it's a recognition of the great offensive linemen I play with. I'm representing the Montreal Alouettes and our offensive line, so I feel badly that they didn't get the recognition.
"It's not something I can control. We'll just continue getting ready for Sunday.''
Reggie Hunt was in the audience inside the Winnipeg Centennial Concert Hall, helping to celebrate his brother's accomplishment. While his younger brother had been bouncing around the NFL and Arena Football League, Reggie Hunt tried to convince Aaron to join him in Saskatchewan.
"That was my first choice, playing with my brother in Saskatchewan,'' said Aaron Hunt. "But B.C. had my rights. When I got to B.C., I was just hoping I could get some playing time. It ended up a lot more than that.''
Johnson became the fourth double-award winner since the awards were first presented in 1953: Ottawa Rough Riders quarterback Russ Jackson won outstanding player and Canadian awards three times in the 1960s; Ottawa receiver Tony Gabriel also won those awards in 1978; and Winnipeg Blue Bombers returner/receiver Albert Johnson was the CFL's top rookie and special-teams player in 2001.
Only one other non-import has won the CFL's top defensive player award -- Toronto Argonauts defensive lineman Jim Corrigall.
"It means a lot to be a Canadian player, playing well and being recognized,'' said Johnson. "I don't want to play south of the border. I grew up dreaming of winning Grey Cups. This is where I want to be.''
Four Blue Bombers won individual awards in 2001, the most by one team until B.C. dominated this year's voting conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada. Of the 47 voters, 25 selected Murphy ahead of Flory. Simon won his category the most handily, defeating Blue Bombers tailback Charles Roberts 44-3.
The winners were presented with Blackberry Pearls.
In the other category, Calgary Stampeders kicker Sandro DeAngelis was chosen as outstanding special-teams player (37-10) over Toronto punter/kicker Noel Prefontaine. Winnipeg defensive tackle Doug Brown was the runner-up in the Canadian category (28-19) and Blue Bombers linebacker Barrin Simpson (43-4) had been the East's nominee as top defensive player. Hunt was chosen ahead of Montreal linebacker Etienne Boulay (41-6).
B.C. defensive back Mark Washington was presented with the Tom Pate Award for his on-field sportsmanship and off-field contributions to his community.
Simon was also given the Rogers Fans' Choice Award for a season in which he led the CFL with 105 receptions for 1,856 yards and 15 touchdown.
The Commissioner's Award, presented by outgoing commissioner Tom Wright, was given to a local group called the Winnipeg Blue Bomber Ghosts for their volunteer efforts helping the community-owned franchise and for organizing the Grey Cup festivities.
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