B.C. Lions' Darnell Sankey named CFL's most outstanding defensive player

VANCOUVER · B.C. Lions middle linebacker Darnell Sankey was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player for the 2026 season on Tuesday. The 32-year-old learned of the honour during a team meeting when defensive coordinator Mike Benevides made the announcement to the defensive unit. Sankey led the league with 114 defensive tackles and 136 total defensive plays, becoming just the second player in CFL history to record 100 or more tackles in three consecutive seasons, joining Hall of Famer Willie Pless. "The way they told me was surprising, a pleasant surprise, truly amazing," Sankey said. "But it's a team award because so many guys don't get credit. The defensive line and defensive backs don't get enough credit for helping me … I'm just so thankful, thankful for my family, thankful to God and this organization." He also recorded a career-best 12 pass knockdowns while matching personal bests with three sacks and four tackles for a loss, playing all 998 regular-season defensive snaps for the Lions.

Sankey received 158 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada, finishing ahead of Toronto Argonauts linebacker Adarius Pickett (99 points) and Calgary Stampeders defensive lineman Clarence Hicks (94 points). He is the 11th different Lions player to win the award, which the franchise has now claimed 16 times. The most recent winner was Lions defensive lineman Mathieu Betts, who won it in 2023 and 2025. "From Day 1, 'Sank' has set the standard for what we have wanted to build on defence," Benevides said in a statement. "He's the epitome of a pro and the latest in a long line of great winners we've had here. From Day 1 of training camp and the first defensive meeting in Kamloops, he's instilled greatness in our unit." Sankey becomes the third player coached by Benevides to win the award, following Betts and Cameron Wake, who won in 2008 when Benevides was the Lions defensive coordinator.

Despite his 114 tackles being his second-highest single-season total, behind 120 with Saskatchewan in 2022, Sankey considers this his best CFL campaign. "I've had other great seasons, but I feel this one definitely takes the cake," he said. "I'm in a great system, I'm in a great defence, these boys have welcomed me here, the coaching staff has welcomed me here. I really have no complaints. I'm just able to fly around and make plays."

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The award comes as Sankey and the Lions prepare to face the Edmonton Elks in the West Division final on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium. The winner advances to the Grey Cup in Calgary on Nov. 15. Sankey, who won a Grey Cup with the Montreal Alouettes in 2023, said the individual honour is secondary. "The individual accolade is nice, of course," he said. "To be recognized as the most outstanding defensive player is truly a dream come true."

In his fifth CFL season, Sankey has appeared in 92 career regular-season games, accumulating 570 tackles, 11 sacks, nine forced fumbles and four interceptions. He has surpassed 100 tackles in a season four times in his career. The Lions advanced to the West final after rallying past the Saskatchewan Roughriders at home last week. Up next: The Lions visit the Edmonton Elks in the CFL West Division final on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium.

With files from The Canadian Press, The Globe and Mail and Sportsnet