Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira of Winnipeg, Manitoba became the fourth Canadian to win the Canadian Football League’s Most Outstanding Player Award on Thursday at the 2024 CFL Awards in Vancouver, British Columbia. He follows former Ottawa Rough Riders quarterback Russ Jackson of Hamilton, Ontario, who accomplished the feat thrice (1963, 1966, and 1969), Hamilton Tiger-Cats tight end Tony Gabriel of Burlington, Ontario (1978), and Calgary Stampeders running back Jon Cornish of New Westminster, British Columbia (2013).
In addition to winning the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player Award, Oliveira won the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian Award as well. He will have a chance to win the Grey Cup on Sunday as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers face the Toronto Argonauts.
Oliveira led the CFL this season with 1353 rushing yards. However, he only had three rushing touchdowns, which were nine fewer rushing touchdowns than the 12 rushing touchdowns Cornish had when he won the CFL’s most outstanding Canadian award in 2013. Oliveira also had 57 catches for 476 receiving yards and one touchdown. The touchdown catch was for 33 yards and came in a 55-27 Blue Bombers win over the Edmonton Elks on September 27.
A second Canadian won a CFL Award on Thursday. Ryan Hunter of North Bay, Ontario won the CFL’s Most Outstanding Lineman Award. He will also play on Sunday, as he plays for the Argonauts.
