All Teams To Be Represented at 2008 Gibson’s Finest CFL Player Awards
Hometown Alouettes lead the way with three finalists

Toronto, ON (November 4, 2008) – Every team will be represented at the 2008 Gibson’s Finest CFL Player Awards in Montreal with the hometown Alouettes leading the way with three finalists, the Canadian Football League (CFL) announced today.

“In a season where our veteran players have had career years and our young players have emerged as bona fide stars, it makes perfect sense that every team is represented at this year’s awards show,” said CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon. “Congratulations to all of our league’s finalists and their teams on an exciting year in the CFL.”

Forty-one (41) voters from the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC), representing each CFL market and a national chapter, plus the CFL’s head coaches were asked to select players from their local CFL division who, through on-field performance excellence, best represent the awards’ title – Outstanding Player, Outstanding Canadian Player, Outstanding Defensive Player, Outstanding Offensive Lineman, Outstanding Rookie and Outstanding Special Teams Player.

The Alouettes three finalists include Anthony Calvillo for Outstanding Player, Ben Cahoon for Outstanding Canadian and Scott Flory for Outstanding Offensive Lineman.

Representing the East for Outstanding Defensive Player is Winnipeg Blue Bomber Doug Brown and for Outstanding Rookie is receiver Prechae Rodriguez from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The only unanimous selection is Toronto Argonauts kick return specialist Dominique Dorsey in the Outstanding Special Teams Player category.

In the West, Calgary and Saskatchewan are sending two players each to the awards banquet. Heading to Montreal from the Stampeders is first time Outstanding Player finalist Henry Burris and the 2006 Outstanding Special Teams Player Sandro DeAngelis. The Roughriders will be represented by the West’s Outstanding Rookie Weston Dressler and two-time CFL Outstanding Offensive Lineman Gene Makowsky.

Rounding out the West nominees is the CFL’s top rookie and defensive player from last season, BC Lion Cam Wake who is up for Outstanding Defensive Player, and first-time finalist Edmonton Eskimo Kamau Peterson for Outstanding Canadian.

The winners will be announced at the 2008 Gibson’s Finest CFL Player Awards show during Grey Cup week on Thursday, November 20 at the Casino de Montreal.

Below is a list of the East and West Division nominees:

* - Indicates a unanimous selection