2024 CFL Awards: Oliveira becomes 4th Canadian to win MOP

The CFL handed out its 2024 awards Thursday in Vancouver.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Toronto Argonauts, who’ll square off in Sunday’s Grey Cup at BC Place, were the evening’s big winners, with each team claiming two of the seven major on-field awards. Voting for the seven major on-field awards was conducted by members of the Football Reporters of Canada, as well as the nine CFL head coaches.

Here’s a look at all of the night’s big winners:

George Reed Most Outstanding Player: Brady Oliveira, Blue Bombers

Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira entered some rare company Thursday, winning the George Reed Most Outstanding Player award for the first time in his career. He beat Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback and two-time MOP Bo Levi Mitchell 31-25 to win this year’s honor.

The Winnipeg native is the fourth Canadian in CFL history to win MOP, joining Jon Cornish in 2013, Tony Gabriel in 1978, and legendary QB Russ Jackson in 1963, ’66, and ’69.

Oliveira was dominant from start to finish in 2024. He earned his second consecutive rushing title by scampering for 1,353 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. He was also an efficient weapon through the air, hauling in 57 receptions for 476 yards and one major, while his 420 yards after catch placed fourth in the league. His 891 yards after contact, 1,829 yards from scrimmage, and 11 rushing attempts of 20-plus yards were all tops in the CFL in 2024.

Oliveira is the 11th Blue Bombers player to win MOP, and the third Winnipeg player to win it since 2021. He’s just the fourth tailback to take home this honor in the last 35 years, following Cornish, Mike Pringle, and Pinball Clemons. The only other Blue Bombers running back to claim MOP was Willard Reaves in 1984.

Most Outstanding Canadian: Oliveira

Oliveira’s MOP win made him the easy choice to claim the CFL’s top Canadian honor for a second straight year. He received 55 of 56 votes over Montreal Alouettes defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund.

Oliveira, a product of Winnipeg’s Oak Park High School, joined Cornish and former Bombers teammate Andrew Harris as the only Canadians with multiple 1,300-yard rushing seasons. He’s now the 18th two-time winner of this award and the sixth to claim it in back-to-back years.

“I stand up here with immense pride, gratitude, and (am) truly honored to receive the Most Outstanding Canadian award,” he said upon accepting the honor. “I just would like to thank all the great Canadians that have paved the way before me, and now I’m up here standing here receiving this amazing award. And now I hope to do the same, to inspire and pave the way for the younger generation.”

This is the 12th time a Blue Bombers player has won Most Outstanding Canadian, moving them into a tie with the Ottawa franchise (across all three nicknames) for most in CFL history.

Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Rolan Milligan Jr., Roughriders

Milligan was a beast in the secondary all season for Saskatchewan’s stellar defense and led the CFL with eight interceptions. He also tallied 91 tackles, with 71 of those on defense. His 111 total defensive plays ranked fifth overall in the league. The Florida native is just the second defensive back to win this award since its inception in 1974, joining Winnipeg’s Jovon Johnson (2011). He’s also one of only three Roughriders players to be named Most Outstanding Defensive player, joining Jearld Baylis in 1983 and John Chick in 2009.

Milligan beat Montreal’s Tyrice Beverette 35-21 for the award.

Most Outstanding Rookie: Nick Anderson, Elks

Anderson left a big impression on the CFL in his debut season, tying for the league lead with 111 defensive tackles. The Tulane product also had three sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception, along with an additional five tackles on special teams. Anderson is the fifth Edmonton player to win Most Outstanding Rookie, and the first since Derel Walker in 2015.

The 24-year-old linebacker earned 43 of 56 votes to win the award over Ticats wideout Shemar Bridges.

Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Ryan Hunter, Argos

Hunter was one of the anchors of an Argos offensive line that paved the way for Toronto’s running backs to rush for an East Division-high 2,183 yards in 2024. He was a constant presence all year, starting 17 games at both guard and tackle. This marks the second straight year an Argos lineman won this award, following Dejon Hunter in 2023. Hunter, a native of North Bay, is the first Canadian lineman to win it since Chris Van Zeyl in 2019.

Hunter was a runaway winner, receiving 40 of 56 votes to beat Saskatchewan’s Logan Ferland.

Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: Janarion Grant, Argos

Grant is the second straight Argos return man to win this award, following Javon Leake last year. The 30-year-old was almost unstoppable on special teams, collecting 1,989 total return yards and four return touchdowns. He averaged nearly 15 yards per punt return, and was the only player in the CFL with multiple return touchdowns this season.

Grant was the consensus winner over BC Lions kicker Sean Whyte, receiving 45 of 56 votes.

Annis Stukus Trophy (Coach of the Year): Jason Maas, Alouettes

One year after leading the Alouettes to an unlikely Grey Cup win, Maas was named CFL Coach of the Year for the first time. The 48-year-old guided Montreal to a 12-5-1 record, its best mark in 14 years, and first place in the East Division for the first time since 2012. Maas joins Marv Levy (1974), Charlie Taaffe (1999 and 2000), Don Matthews (2002), and Marc Trestman (2009) as Alouettes coaches to win this award.

Maas earned 30 of 56 votes to defeat Saskatchewan’s Corey Mace.

Tom Pate Memorial Trophy: Adam Bighill, Blue Bombers

The CFL Players’ Association bestows this award to recognize sportsmanship and significant contributions to both the team and the community. Bighill, 36, was honored for giving back to his community in Winnipeg as a coach with Football Manitoba and the Manitoba Minor Football Association, as well as community speaker and leader. Born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, he now works as the president of Making Faces, a charity organization that works with cranio-facial affected children and families.

Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award: Jorgen Hus, Roughriders

This award is presented to a Canadian player “who demonstrates the attributes of Canada’s veterans.” Hus, the Roughriders’ long snapper and Saskatchewan’s longest-tenured player, was honored for his work in the Regina and Saskatchewan community. The Saskatoon native has made 127 school presentations through the Win with Wellness and Rider Reading programs over the last two years, and also works as an ambassador for Ronald McDonald House and the Roughriders foundation. On the field, the 35-year-old is a constant for the Green Riders, missing only nine games since 2016.

CFL Commissioner’s Award: Amar Doman, Lions

This award is presented annually by the CFL commissioner to a person who’s made significant contributions to the league. Doman purchased the Lions in August 2021 and the franchise has been revitalized in Vancouver under his watch.

“This award is in recognition of the foundations that Amar and his family have built, but it’s also in celebration of what’s to come,” outgoing commissioner Randy Ambrosie said, per 3DownNation. “I know I’m not alone in saying the CFL and the entire Canadian football community can’t wait to see what’s next.”

Jane Mawby Tribute Award: Carolyn Cody, Lions

This honor was established in 2019 and is given to an unsung CFL employee who works behind the scenes and outside of the spotlight. Cody, the Lions’ vice president of business operations and marketing, has worked in BC’s front office for over a decade.

The league announced this year’s All-CFL team, formerly known as the CFL All-Star team, last week.