The Saskatchewan Roughrider nominees for the CFL Awards were announced recently. This year’s nominees are: Naaman Roosevelt (outstanding player), Otha Foster (outstanding defensive player), Tyler Crapigna (outstanding Canadian and outstanding special teams player), Thaddeus Coleman (outstanding offensive lineman), and Justin Cox (outstanding rookie).
For Roosevelt, this is his first nomination as most outstaning player. He started all 11 regular season games, before suffering a season-ending injury. For Foster, this is his first career nomination as most outstanding defensive player. Foster had completed his first season with the Roughriders, after signing as a free agent in February.
For Crapigna, this is his first career nominations as most outstanding Canadian and most outstanding special teams player. He played 15 regular season games, but missed weeks seven and eight due to an injury.
For Coleman, this is his first career nomination as the most outstanding offensive lineman. He started all 17 regular season games, playing the first 14 games at right tackle before moving over to left tackle. Cox had signed with the Riders as a free agent in May, 2016, earning him the nomination as most outstanding rookie. He started in all 15 games played, had a team-leading four interceptions and also registered 42 defensive tackles, nine knockdowns, three tackles for loss, two special teams tackles, one forcef fumble and one fumble recovery.
The players were selected by voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) and 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.
The East and West Division winners for the 2016 CFL Awards will be announced on Thursday, November 10.
