CFL UNVEILS TIGER-CATS PLAYER AWARD NOMINEES
Hamilton, Ontario – Earlier today, the Canadian Football League announced the nominees for the 2009 CFL Most Outstanding Player Awards. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats would like to congratulate the following players selected as team nominees:
ARLAND BRUCE III / Wide Receiver
Most Outstanding Player
Arland Bruce III ignited the Tiger-Cats offence after arriving in a trade from the Toronto Argonauts on July 29. In 13 games with the Ticats, Bruce hauled in 68 passes for 974 yards and eight touchdowns, bringing his season total to 83 receptions for 1,177 yards and nine majors. Bruce has been the Ticats leading receiver in eight of his 12 starts.
MARKEITH KNOWLTON / Linebacker
Most Outstanding Defensive Player
Markeith Knowlton has been one of the CFL’s most consistent defensive performers this season, as the second-year Ticat is listed near the top of virtually every defensive statistical category. Knowlton leads the league in blocked kicks (2) and fumble returns (4), sits second in defensive tackles (90) and forced fumbles (4) and has also registered three interceptions and two quarterback sacks.
MARWAN HAGE / Centre
Most Outstanding Canadian and Most Outstanding Lineman
In his sixth year as a Ticat, Marwan Hage has established himself as the anchor of the team’s offensive line and one of the league’s premier offensive linemen. Hage has helped power a ground game that averages 5.8 yards per carry while also providing solid protection for the team’s pivot, as the Black and Gold have not surrendered a quarterback sack in their last three games.
MARQUAY McDANIEL / Wide Receiver and Kick Returner
Most Outstanding Rookie
Marquay McDaniel has been a consistent kick returner and a reliable presence in the Ticats offence during his rookie season. McDaniel currently ranks first among all CFL players in combined yardage with 2,361 yards and leads the Black and Gold in both kickoff return yards (1,138) and punt return yards (547). The Hampton product has also made 50 receptions for 597 yards and three touchdowns.
DYLAN BARKER / Safety
Most Outstanding Special Teams Player
Dylan Barker has unquestionably been one of the league’s top special teams performers in 2009 as the first overall selection in the 2008 CFL Canadian Draft has racked up an incredible 32 special teams tackles, easily surpassing the previous Ticats single-season record of 25.
The players were selected by voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) and the CFL head coaches.
In this first ballot, FRC representatives from each CFL city plus the respective head coach submitted votes for the six categories. Voters were asked to select players from their local CFL club who through on-field performance excellence, best represent the awards’ title – Most Outstanding Player, Most Outstanding Canadian Player, Most Outstanding Defensive Player, Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman, Most Outstanding Rookie, and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player.
The East and West nominees for the 2009 Gibson’s Finest CFL Player Awards will be announced on Thursday, November 12, 2009.
The league-wide winners will be announced during Grey Cup week at the CFL Player Awards on Thursday, November 26 in Calgary.
About the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a member of the Canadian Football League (CFL) with a rich 140-year history, which includes 15 Grey Cup Championships. For more information log onto www.ticats.ca
– 30 –
