The Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award is annually awarded to the best defensive player in the Canadian football League . The winner of the award is selected by members of the Football Reporters of Canada along with the head coaches in the CFL.[ 1] [ 2] The two nominees for the award are the James P. McCaffrey Trophy winner from the East Division , and the Norm Fieldgate Trophy winner from the West Division . Between 1955 and 1973 , both defensive players and offensive lineman had to compete for the CFL's Most Outstanding Lineman Award . By the 1974 season , the league decided to make two separate awards for both defensive players and offensive lineman.
CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award winners[ edit ]
2023 – Mathieu Betts (DE), BC Lions
2022 – Lorenzo Mauldin (DE), Ottawa Redblacks
2021 – Adam Bighill (LB), Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2020 – season cancelled - covid 19
2019 - Willie Jefferson (DE), Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2018 – Adam Bighill (LB), Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2017 – Alex Singleton (LB), Calgary Stampeders
2016 – Solomon Elimimian (LB), BC Lions
2015 – Adam Bighill (LB), BC Lions
2014 – Solomon Elimimian (LB), BC Lions
2013 – Chip Cox (LB), Montreal Alouettes
2012 – J.C. Sherritt (LB), Edmonton Eskimos
2011 – Jovon Johnson (DB), Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2010 – Markeith Knowlton (LB), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2009 – John Chick (DE), Saskatchewan Roughriders [ 2]
2008 – Cameron Wake (DE), BC Lions
2007 – Cameron Wake (DE), BC Lions
2006 – Brent Johnson (DE), BC Lions
2005 – John Grace (LB), Calgary Stampeders
2004 – Anwar Stewart (DE), Montreal Alouettes
2003 – Joe Fleming (DT), Calgary Stampeders
2002 – Elfrid Payton (DE), Edmonton Eskimos
2001 – Joe Montford (DE), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2000 – Joe Montford (DE), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
1999 – Calvin Tiggle (LB), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
1998 – Joe Montford (DE), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
1997 – Willie Pless (LB), Edmonton Eskimos
1996 – Willie Pless (LB), Edmonton Eskimos
1995 – Willie Pless (LB), Edmonton Eskimos
1994 – Willie Pless (LB), Edmonton Eskimos
1993 – Jearld Baylis (DT), Saskatchewan Roughriders
1992 – Willie Pless (LB), Edmonton Eskimos
1991 – Greg Battle (LB), Winnipeg Blue Bombers
1990 – Greg Battle (LB), Winnipeg Blue Bombers
1989 – Danny Bass (LB), Edmonton Eskimos
1988 – Grover Covington (DE), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
1987 – Greg Stumon (DE), BC Lions
1986 – James "Quick" Parker (DE), BC Lions
1985 – Tyrone Jones (LB), Winnipeg Blue Bombers
1984 – James "Quick" Parker (DE), BC Lions
1983 – Greg Marshall (DE), Ottawa Rough Riders
1982 – James "Quick" Parker (LB), Edmonton Eskimos
1981 – Danny Kepley (LB), Edmonton Eskimos
1980 – Danny Kepley (LB), Edmonton Eskimos
1979 – Ben Zambiasi (LB), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
1978 – Dave "Dr. Death" Fennell (DT), Edmonton Eskimos
1977 – Danny Kepley (LB), Edmonton Eskimos
1976 – Bill Baker (DE), BC Lions
1975 – Jim Corrigall (DE), Toronto Argonauts
1974 – John Helton (DT), Calgary Stampeders
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