CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award

History and evolution of the award

The award was created in 1953 as the Schenley Award, named for its original sponsor, the Schenley Distillers Corporation. It was established to honour the most outstanding player in the Canadian Rugby Union, a key forerunner league to the modern CFL. The sponsorship by Schenley lasted until 1988, after which the award continued without a corporate title for several years. During the Schenley era, broadcasters such as Ernie Calcutt, John Badham and Pierre Dufault were regular presenters of the trophy at the annual awards ceremony. The award was later renamed in honour of George Reed, the legendary Saskatchewan Roughriders fullback, cementing its place in Canadian football history. The selection process has remained consistent, with the Football Reporters of Canada responsible for determining the winner from the two division finalists.

Selection process and criteria

The path to the George Reed Most Outstanding Player Award begins with individual team nominations. Each of the nine CFL clubs selects its team winner through a vote by local members of the Football Reporters of Canada and the team's head coach. These team winners then become the candidates for their division's outstanding player trophy. The West Division winner receives the Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy, while the East Division winner receives the Terry Evanshen Trophy. These two division champions become the finalists for the league's top honour. A national panel of media members from the Football Reporters of Canada then conducts a final vote to choose the George Reed Most Outstanding Player Award winner. The award is based solely on regular season performance, with statistics, leadership, and overall impact on team success being key factors in the voting.

Notable winners and records

Throughout its history, the award has been dominated by quarterbacks and running backs, though receivers and defensive players have also earned the honour. Multiple winners include legendary figures such as Doug Flutie, who won the award a record six times, and Anthony Calvillo, who won it three times. The 2022 season saw a landmark achievement when BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke won the award as a Canadian player, a rare feat in the modern era typically dominated by American imports. The award's history is a chronicle of the league's greatest talents, with each winner etching their name alongside the legends of Canadian football. The list of recipients provides a direct link through the decades of the CFL's evolution, from its early days to the present high-flying offensive era.

The 2026 team award winners

The team nomination process for the 2026 season highlighted the outstanding performances across the league, with winners announced on October 22, 2026. The BC Lions nominated quarterback Nathan Rourke as their Most Outstanding Player, marking another double nomination for him as he was also the team's Most Outstanding Canadian. Rourke completed 313 of 444 pass attempts for 4,614 yards and 24 touchdowns through 17 games, also adding 356 rushing yards. The Montreal Alouettes nominated quarterback Davis Alexander, who in 16 starts led his team to a 13-3 record while throwing for 5,257 yards and 35 touchdowns. Other notable 2026 team winners included Montreal's Tyson Philpot, who set a CFL record for receiving yards by a Canadian, and BC's Darnell Sankey, who surpassed 100 tackles for a third straight season. Key team award winners from the 2026 season included BC Lions Most Outstanding Player QB Nathan Rourke, Montreal Alouettes Most Outstanding Player QB Davis Alexander, and Montreal Alouettes Most Outstanding Canadian WR Tyson Philpot, who was a unanimous selection. These team awards set the stage for the divisional and league-wide voting, with the finalists announced the following week. The process highlights the depth of talent across the league and the importance of local recognition before the national honours are decided.

Related CFL awards

The George Reed Most Outstanding Player Award is the centrepiece of a suite of annual CFL honours that recognize excellence at every position and on special teams. The Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy is awarded to the West Division's most outstanding player, named in memory of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers player who died in the Second World War. The Terry Evanshen Trophy is given to the East Division's most outstanding player, honouring the former Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes receiver. Other major league awards presented at the same ceremony include the Most Outstanding Canadian Award, the Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award, and the Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award. These awards collectively celebrate the contributions of all players, ensuring that excellence in every facet of the game is recognized alongside the league's top overall performer.

Recent trends and significance

In recent seasons, the award race has frequently been dominated by quarterbacks, reflecting the modern pass-oriented nature of the CFL. The 2025 and 2026 seasons featured intense competitions, with media narratives often describing the race as a 'two-horse' or 'three-horse' contest among the league's top passers. The award's significance extends beyond individual accolade, as it often correlates with team success. Many winners have led their clubs to first-place finishes or deep playoff runs. The announcement of team winners in late October has become a key milestone in the CFL calendar, generating discussion and debate among fans and analysts as the regular season concludes. The award remains a definitive measure of a player's season-long impact and a cherished goal for every athlete in the league.

Statistical highlights of recent nominees

The statistical performances of recent team award winners illustrate the high calibre of play required for nomination. The 2026 season saw several players put up record-breaking or league-leading numbers that made them compelling candidates for the top honour. The following table presents key statistics from selected 2026 team Most Outstanding Player winners, detailing the offensive production that defines modern contenders. Elite quarterback play, characterized by high volume, efficiency, and touchdown production, is the primary pathway to consideration for the award. Alexander's league-leading yardage and touchdown totals, combined with his team's excellent record, positioned him as a strong contender. Rourke's efficiency and dual-threat ability, alongside his status as a top Canadian player, also made his nomination noteworthy. The statistics of winners across the decades would show an evolution in numbers, but the constant is the undeniable impact each winner had on their team's fortunes. These figures from 2026 demonstrate the level of performance expected from candidates for the George Reed Most Outstanding Player Award.

Questions about CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award

Who selects the winner of the CFL Most Outstanding Player Award?

The winner is chosen by the Football Reporters of Canada. This national panel votes to determine the recipient of the George Reed Most Outstanding Player Award. The process involves two nominees, one from each division. These nominees are the winners of the Terry Evanshen Trophy from the East Division and the Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy from the West Division. The selection by the Football Reporters of Canada is the final step in awarding the league's top player honour.

What is the difference between the Jeff Nicklin and Terry Evanshen Trophies?

The Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy is awarded to the Most Outstanding Player in the CFL's West Division. The Terry Evanshen Trophy is awarded to the Most Outstanding Player in the East Division. These are divisional awards. Their winners become the two nominees for the overall George Reed Most Outstanding Player Award. Both trophies are part of the selection process for the league's top player honour each season.

Has a Canadian player ever won the CFL Most Outstanding Player Award?

Yes, Canadian players have won the award. According to the provided information, Nathan Rourke is noted as the winner of the 2056 Most Outstanding Player Award. The notes also detail his performance statistics, such as passing for 4,614 yards and 24 touchdowns in the referenced season. This demonstrates that Canadian talent can achieve the league's highest individual honour.

When are the team winners for the Most Outstanding Player Award announced?

Team winners are announced in late October. For the 2026 season, the Canadian Football League announced team winners for the Most Outstanding Player Awards on October 22. This announcement is made after voting by local members of the Football Reporters of Canada and CFL head coaches. Following this, the league announces three finalists for each award before the overall winners are revealed.

What was the award originally called?

The award was originally called the Schenley Award. It was created in 1953 and named after the Schenley Distillers Corporation, which was its sponsor. The sponsorship ended in 1988, after which the awards have been unsponsored. The award was later renamed to honour George Reed, becoming the George Reed Most Outstanding Player Award for the best player in the Canadian Football League.

What kind of statistics do players need to be considered for the award?

Players are considered based on exceptional regular season statistics. For quarterbacks, this includes high passing yardage and touchdowns, as seen with Davis Alexander who threw for 5,257 yards and 35 touchdowns in 2026. For receivers, record breaking numbers are key, like Tyson Philpot's 1,809 receiving yards which set a new Canadian record. Defensive players are noted for high tackle counts, such as Darnell Sankey surpassing 100 tackles. Overall, leading the league in key categories is a common trait among nominees.

Sources and further reading

• CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award (Wikipedia)
• CFL Announces Team Winners For Most Outstanding ... (bclions.com)
• 2026 Team Award Winners Announced (oursportscentral.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-25.