Calvillo wins 3rd outstanding player award
Last Updated: Friday, November 27, 2009 | 12:37 AM ET
By Chris Iorfida, CBC Sports
Anthony Calvillo poses with the CFL Most Outstanding Player Award in Calgary on Thursday. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press)Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player for a second consecutive year on Thursday night in Calgary.
It was Calvillo's third time overall winning the award, having first taken the honour in 2003. The quarterback threw 26 touchdown passes, completed 72 per cent of his passes and was intercepted just six times. He was third in passing yards (4,639).
He beat West finalist Joffrey Reynolds of the Calgary Stampeders. Reynolds led the CFL in rushing for the second straight year with 1,504 yards.
"I just want to thank this country for embracing me and allowing me to play a sport that I truly, truly love," said the American-born Calvillo.
The Alouettes rolled to a 15-3 mark with Calvillo at the helm and drubbed the B.C. Lions in the CFL East final last week.
Now the 37-year-old will try for a double that's eluded him in his illustrious career — winning the outstanding player award and the Grey Cup in the same week.
"You never get tired of being at these games and you never get tired winning," Calvillo told reporters. "As I was walking over here, I was kind of just blown away at where I am right now in my career, to see myself hold another trophy."
Calvillo will try to avoid John Chick in the championship game, the Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive end who was named defensive player of the year.
Chick was tied for second in the CFL with 11 sacks and forced four fumbles.
Running back Martell Mallett was the choice for rookie of the year over Winnipeg defensive back Jonathan Hafney after compiling 1,240 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns for the B.C. Lions. He also caught 43 passes for 432 yards
Teammate defensive end Ricky Foley of the B.C. Lions was named top Canadian. The Courtice, Ont., native tied for the league lead with 12 sacks and finished with 51 tackles.
"I really love Vancouver and the guys I play with," said Foley, who is eligible for free agency this winter.
Lions coach Wally Buono received the Commissioner's Award, given to those who've made a longtime contribution to the CFL. Buono set the all-time coaching wins record earlier this year and has been involved with the league for four decades.
A pair of Calvillo's Montreal teammates were also honoured.
Alouettes guard Scott Flory was named top lineman in the league for a second straight year. His competition was second-year Calgary lineman Ben Archibald.
Larry Taylor was named special teams player of the year after returning two punts and a kickoff for touchdowns for Montreal, beating out Lions special teams tackle specialist Jason Aragki.
Montreal defensive end Anwar Stewart and slotback Ben Cahoon were finalists as top defensive player and top Canadian, respectively.
Voting was conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada and all eight CFL head coaches.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats centre Marwan Hage was the recipient of the Tom Pate Award for outstanding community service.
Log in at CBCSports.ca and have your say on the Grey Cup in a live interactive chat with CFL columnist Malcolm Kelly and moderated by senior writer Doug Harrison on Friday at 2 p.m. ET.
With files from The Canadian Press
