Two Canadians were honoured at the 2021 Canadian Football League Awards on Friday from Hamilton, Ontario. Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea of North Bay, Ontario was named the CFL’s coach of the year, and British Columbia Lions linebacker Boseko Lokombo of Montreal, Quebec was named the top Canadian.
O’Shea led the Blue Bombers to a CFL best record of 11 wins and three losses. It was their defense which came up huge. As a team, Winnipeg gave up only 188 points, the least in the CFL this year.
This was the third CFL award that O’Shea has won in his career. He also won the 1993 CFL award for most outstanding rookie with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and was the 1999 CFL most outstanding Canadian while with the Toronto Argonauts.
Lokombo had 66 defensive tackles, 11 special teams tackles, four sacks, three interceptions, one interception for a touchdown and one forced fumble while with the Lions in 2021. The pick six came in a 45-13 Lions win over the Ottawa Redblacks on September 11.
O’Shea was one of four Blue Bombers honoured. He was joined by quarterback Zach Collaros (most outstanding player), linebacker Adam Bighill (best defensive player), and Stanley Bryant (best lineman). Meanwhile, two other players won awards Friday. Linebacker Jordan Williams won the CFL Award for the best rookie, and DeVonte Dedmon of the Ottawa Redblacks won the award for the best defensive player.
