Calvillo named Most Outstanding
MONTREAL — Anthony Calvillo is living in the moment.
The Montreal Alouettes’ quarterback was named the CFL’s outstanding player Thursday night at Casino de Montreal. It’s the second time he has claimed the league’s highest individual honour — the first was in ’03 — but a subdued Calvillo said he certainly appreciates this one more after the year he and his wife, Alexis Kontolemos, have endured.
In October 2007, Calvillo left the Alouettes after his wife was diagnosed with cancer following the birth of their second child, unsure if he’d ever return. Fortunately, Calvillo’s wife has responded well to treatment, allowing him to continue his CFL career and ultimately guide Montreal to its sixth Grey Cup berth in nine years.
“This week isn’t going by too fast for me, I’m soaking it all in,” Calvillo said. “She (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 this (winning 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, 36, who threw a CFL-high 43 touchdown passes this season, earned the award over Calgary Stampeders quarterback Henry Burris.
Calvillo, a 15-year CFL veteran, received 27 of 46 first-place votes.
The other winners included Edmonton Eskimos slotback Kamau Peterson (top Canadian), Montreal guard Scott Flory (lineman), B.C. Lions defensive end Cameron Wake (defensive player), Toronto Argonauts returner Dominique Dorsey (special-teams) and Saskatchewan Roughriders slotback Weston Dressler (rookie).
CFL commissioner Mark Cohon presented the Commissioner’s Award, which recognizes outstanding contribution to the league, to the family of Ron Lancaster, the legendary former CFL player, coach and broadcaster who died in September at the age of 69.
Also, Saskatchewan centre Jeremy O’Day received the Tom Pate award, given by the CFL Players’ Association for outstanding community service.
Calvillo led the CFL in pass attempts (682), completions (472) and pass efficiency (107.2) and was second overall in passing yards (5,633) en route to leading Montreal (11-7) to top spot in the East Division. The Alouettes face Calgary in the Grey Cup on Sunday (TSN, 4 p.m.), looking to become the first team since the ’94 B.C. Lions to win the CFL title as the host city.
Peterson received 26 of 46 votes to become Edmonton’s first outstanding player winner since 2002 when rush end Elfrid Payton was named top defensive player. Montreal slotback Ben Cahoon, a two-time top winner, was the finalist.
“This is truly an honour because I’ve been a fan of Ben’s for a long time,” Peterson said. “I had Ben picked in my pool so I lost the money.
“This is not something I covet. I always figured if I played the game well enough this sort of thing might come. I never lost confidence.”
Peterson was a go-to receiver for CFL passing leader Ricky Ray, finishing with 101 catches for 1,317 yards and four touchdowns. The eight-year veteran provided crucial leadership after veteran Jason Tucker suffered a season-ending neck injury.
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