Solomon Elimimian becomes first full-time defensive player to win Most Outstanding Player

History was made at Thursday night's CFL Awards, with B.C. Lions' linebacker Solomon Elimimian chosen as the first-ever full-time defensive player to win the league's Most Outstanding Player award. (Montreal offensive end/defensive back Hal Patterson won in 1956.) Elimimian, who set a league record with 143 defensive tackles (and another one with 151 total tackles) while adding five sacks, three fumble recoveries and an interception, was chosen over Toronto quarterback Ricky Ray, the league's passing leader with 4,595 aerial yards this season. Elimimian's season was amazing, and he was a key part of why the Lions were able to make it to the playoffs despite an anemic offence. It's a well-deserved award.

Defensive players haven't often received strong consideration for this award, but they probably should. This season in particular was the year of defence, with scoring down 62.3 points per team, and that's likely a reason (along with his incredible stats) why Elimimian got so many MOP votes, but defensive players should be looked at more regularly. The award's about the most outstanding player, and disregarding over half the field because they don't happen to play offence is silly. In fact, there should probably be a separate Most Outstanding Offensive Player award, as there is for defence. That would encourage voters to look at players from both sides for the league's biggest award

Notes:

- Elimimian also beat Montreal LB Bear Woods for the Most Outstanding Defensive Player award. Woods had a great season in his own right, finishing second in the league with 89 tackles despite only playing the latter half of the season thanks to injury and playing a key role in the Alouettes' turnaround. His campaign wasn't quite as memorable as Elimimian's, but injuries had a lot to do with that.

- Calgary RB Jon Cornish was chosen over Hamilton DT Ted Laurent for Most Outstanding Canadian, Cornish's third straight triumph in that category. That's the first three-peat by anyone since Willie Pless won four straight Most Outstanding Defensive Player awards from 1994-97, and the first three-peat as top Canadian since Tony Gabriel won three straight from 1976-78. Cornish would need one top Canadian award to tie Gabriel and Russ Jackson's shared career record of four.

- Edmonton LB Dexter McCoil was picked as Most Outstanding Rookie over Toronto DE Tristan Okpalaugo. McCoil tied for the league lead with six interceptions this year and also added 67 defensive tackles and four sacks.

- Calgary C Brett Jones was named the Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman over Montreal OT Jeff Perrett. That completes a remarkable two years for Jones at this event, as he was named outstanding rookie last year.

- Toronto P/K Swayze Waters, who became the first player since 1983 to lead the league in punting average, field goals made and scoring, beat Winnipeg P/K Lirim Hajrullahu for Most Outstanding Special Teams Player.

- Other notable awards included the Tom Pate Memorial Award (CFLPA sportsmanship and community service), given to Calgary LS Randy Chevrier, the Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy, given to Toronto LB James Yurichuk, the Hugh Campbell Distinguished Leadership Award, given to Saskatchewan president Jim Hopson, and the Commissioner's Award, given to the Ottawa Redblacks' ownership group.