The Canadian Football League has announced the team winners for the 2012 CFL Player Awards, honouring five Tiger-Cats players for their performances this season.
Chris Williams has been named the Tiger-Cats Most Outstanding Player and was unanimously chosen as the team’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player. Williams leads the Ticats with 79 receptions for 1,194 yards, 2,494 combined yards, and tied the team’s single-season touchdown record with his 15th major of the season last week.
As a returner, Williams needed just nine games to return six kicks for touchdowns, setting a new CFL single-season record. Last year’s CFL Most Outstanding Rookie has returned 72 punts for 1,034 yards (14.4 average) and five touchdowns, and five missed field goals for 256 yards (51.2 average) and one touchdown.
Linebacker Renauld Williams is the Ticats Most Outstanding Defensive Player after registering 94 defensive tackles, three quarterback sacks and one interception through 17 games.
Kicker Luca Congi has connected on 87.8% (36-of-41) of his field goals this season, earning him the team’s Most Oustanding Canadian honour. This season, Congi hit 21 consecutive field goals, tying the third-longest streak in CFL history. His 155 points rank first among all East Division players and third in the CFL.
Tim O’Neill, the team’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman, has shown versatility and durability this season. After arriving in Hamilton via free agency in the off-season, O’Neill has started all 17 games this season, playing at both guard and centre. The Ticats offensive line has allowed the team to rush for 5.9 yards per carry – the second-highest average in the league.
Punter Josh Bartel is the Ticats Most Outstanding Rookie after averaging 42.7 yards per punt in his debut season.
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 Division winners for the 2012 CFL Player Awards will be announced on Wednesday, November 7 at noon ET.
The league-wide winners will be announced during Grey Cup week at the CFL Player Awards on Thursday, November 22 at Koerner Hall in Toronto, Ontario, site of the 100th Grey Cup.
