Nov 20, 2008 - 11:20 PM
0 shoutsMONTREAL (Ticker) -- One victory over Henry Burris down, one to go for Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo.
Calvillo edged Burris of the Calgary Stampeders as the CFL's Most Outstanding Player at Thursday's awards ceremony at the Casino de Montreal.
The East Division nominee, the 36-year-old Calvillo received 27 of the 46 first-place votes for the award. On Sunday, he will attempt to lead the Alouettes past Burris' Stampeders in the Grey Cup.
"This week isn't going by too fast for me, I'm soaking it all in," said Calvillo, who last season learned his wife Alexis had cancer. "(Alexis) has taught me about strength and courage.
"I dreamed about this, of living a normal life and getting back to a championship. We thank God for allowing us to share more moments together. If (winning this award) would've happened years ago, I wouldn't have thought about it until a few weeks after the season. But I'm thinking about it now."
Calvillo, who also was the league's Most Outstanding Player in 2003, completed 472-of-682 passes for 5,633 yards and 43 touchdowns with 13 interceptions in 17 games this season. His completion and touchdown totals are team records.
Named the Offensive Player of the Week three times and Offensive Player of the Month once, Calvillo gained 189 yards and scored a pair of TDs on 26 rushes this campaign. He also led the league with a 107.2 passer efficiency rating.
Defensive end Cam Wake of the B.C. Lions captured the Most Outstanding Defensive Player award for the second time in as many seasons, claiming 44 first-place votes.
"I am thrilled to win this prestigious award, but it would not have been possible without the support of my teammates and coaches," Wake said. "It may be my name on the trophy, but I consider this a team award."
In his second campaign with the Lions, Wake recorded 65 tackles and a league-leading 23 sacks - the fifth-highest total in CFL history. Wake, who was the Defensive Player of the Week three times and Defensive Player of the Month twice, also forced five fumbles and recovered three while scoring one touchdown.
Edmonton Eskimos wide receiver Kamau Peterson was named the Most Outstanding Canadian, receiving 25 first-place votes to edge three-time All-Star Ben Cahoon of the Alouettes.
"Anytime that I can represent an organization as steeped in excellence as the Edmonton Eskimos, it is humbling, to say the least," Peterson said. "My hat goes off to Ben Cahoon on his great season, as I am a big fan. Congratulations to all of the other nominees and winners tonight on their contributions to their teams."
Peterson enjoyed the best season of his eight-year career in 2008, making a team-high 101 receptions for 1,317 yards and four touchdowns in 18 games. He became just the fourth player in club history to register 100 catches in a season and notched his second consecutive 1,000-yard campaign.
Named Player of the Week twice and Player of the Month once, Peterson also was selected to the 2008 West Division All-Star team.
Montreal guard Scott Flory won the Outstanding Offensive Lineman award, kick returner Dominique Dorsey of the Toronto Argonauts was named the Outstanding Special Teams Player and Saskatchewan Roughriders wide receiver Weston Dressler claimed the Outstanding Rookie honor.
Offensive lineman Jeremy O'Day of Saskatchewan received the Tom Pate Award, giving annually to the player who displays outstanding sportsmanship and has made a significant contribution to his team and community.
