Kyle Myers
Ticats.ca
Wednesday marked the release of the CFL’s Divisional All-Star recipients, a day when bragging rights are won and individual achievements are honoured.
Offensive lineman Greg Wojt, running back C.J. Gable, and receiver Bakari Grant were Tiger-Cats nominees on offence, with all three players breaking out in their own way in 2013.
Wojt, a right guard, spent part of the 2013 season bouncing between guard and tackle, filling in the gaps due to injuries along the offensive line. Named a West Division All-Star with the Eskimos in 2011, Wojt was also named the Tiger-Cats Most Outstanding Lineman for his work this year.
“Playing offensive line you don’t get much recognition,” joked Wojt, who was honoured in his first season as a Tiger-Cat after arriving via trade in the offseason. “Getting an award like this means a lot. I’ve got to say it’s a testament to my teammate. A lot of my play has certainly been a reflection of the other guys on the O-line.”
Grant was named to his first All-Star team in his third CFL season, which saw him post new career highs in catches (69) and yards (947). The UC Davis product was a reliable piece on an offence which saw a high rate of turnover due to injuries, and just narrowly missed the 1,000 yard milestone.
“It’s great,” said Grant of his nomination. “You can put a lot of value on it because sometimes it’s the way that coaches measure the game, the way outsiders measure the game. But personally, we have a team goal, and that’s what we focused on.”
Marc Beswick and punter Josh Bartel took home nominations among Ticats special teamers, while defensive end Brandon Boudreaux was the sole nominee on defence.
Beswick, a special teams ace, took home his first All-Star nod. Playing in a low-profile position similar to that of Wojt, Beswick admits that individual honours are nice, but team successes are nicer.
“It’s always good to know that the hard work you put in gets recognized,” he said. “How I look at it is that the young guys look up to me, so when I go out there and work hard, they feed off me. By no means do I make all the plays.”
Now in his sixth CFL season, Beswick has been named Most Outstanding Special Teams player and an All-Star, leaving just one goal left to accomplish.
“I’m all about the team, my ultimate goal is the Grey Cup,” said Beswick. “It feels good to win a personal award my ultimate goal is the team award. That’s the goal I’m focused on, so if we don’t get there and win it, nothing else really matters.”
His sentiments were echoed by Grant, who could have played in the Ticats regular season finale, but decided that resting his body was better for the team.
“When you get that close (to 1,000 yards), honestly I was campaigning to go to Winnipeg,” Grant said with a smirk.
“I could have played, could have risked being injured for a personal goal,” he said. “But our goal is a Grey Cup, and that’s what’s most important.”
