Standing out on the wide field (CFL edition)

In the lead up to the 99th Grey Cup, the CFL and its fans gathered at the Vancouver Convention Centre on Thursday night to recognize achievement and excellence in this 2011 season.

The Gibson's Finest Awards were distributed at the CFL's gala event Thursday night, an evening which brought both college and professional played together in celebration of the three down game.

The Gibson's award nominees and winners were:

Outstanding Player

Anthony Calvillo, Quarterback, Montreal Alouettes
Travis Lulay, Quarterback, British Columbia Lions

Winner-- Travis Lulay, Quarterback, British Columbia Lions


Defensive Player


Jovon Johnson, Defensive Back, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Jerrell Freeman, Linebacker, Saskatchewan Roughriders


Winner-- Jovon Johnson, Defensive Back, Winnipeg Blue Bombers


Top Canadian


Jerome Messame, Running Back, Edmonton Eskimos
Sean Whyte, Kicker, Montreal Alouettes


Winner-- Jerome Messam, Running Back, Edmonton Eskimos


Outstanding Special Teams Player


Paul McCallum, Kicker, British Columbia Lions
Chad Owens, Kick Returner, Toronto Argonauts


Winner-- Paul McCallum, Kicker, British Columbia Lions


Most Outstanding Rookie


JC Sherritt, Linebacker, Edmonton Eskimos
Chris Williams, Wide Receiver, Hamilton Tiger Cats


Winner-- Chris Williams, Wide Receiver, Hamilton Tiger Cats




Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman


Jovan Olafioye, Offenseive Lineman, British Columbia Lions
Josh Bourke, Offensive Lineman, Montreal Alouettes


Winner-- Josh Bourke, Offensive Lineman, Montreal Alouettes.


Tom Pate Memorial Award
Kevin Glenn, Quarterback, Hamilton Tiger Cats


Commissioner's Award
Larry Reda


Full reviews of the nominees can be found here, details on the award winners can be found here.


The CFL's 2011 All Stars were announced last week, the list of those players can be found here.

Vancouver Sun-- B.C. Lions QB Lulay named CFL's most outstanding player
The Province-- Lion King: Lulay named CFL's most outstanding player
TSN--  Gibson's Finest Player Awards
Toronto Star-- Lions quarterback Lulay captures CFL's outstanding player award
The Score-- Lions QB Travis Lulay wins CFL's outstanding player award
Globe and Mail-- Lions' Travis Lulay wins CFL MVP
Sportsnet-- Lulay's efforts rewarded
CTVBC-- Lions' Lulay captures CFL's outstanding player award
CBC-- Lions QB Lulay named CFL's outstanding player
Canada.com-- Rising Star Lulay named CFL's Most Outstanding player
Canada.com-- Emotional venting over award nominations
Winnipeg Sun-- Bombers' Johnson named top defensive player