Stampeders honour Johnson with Presidents’ Ring award
Micah Johnson has been a ringer on the defence of the Calgary Stampeders this season.
So it’s no surprise the defensive lineman has earned the team’s Presidents’ Ring award for 2018.
The Presidents’ Ring has been presented annually since 1967 to the Stampeders player who best demonstrates excellence on and off the field as voted by the players. Candidates are judged on their in-game contributions, leadership, inspiration and motivational skills.
“I’m very humbled that my teammates have selected me as the winner of the Presidents’ Ring award,” said Johnson. “This is the first time in my career I’ve won this kind of award and it means a lot to me. I’m so proud to play with each and every one of the guys in that lockerroom.”
In his sixth season with the Stampeders, Johnson is one of the cornerstones of a defence that was the stingiest in the league in 2018 and yielded league lows in numerous categories, including points (321), touchdowns (27) and rushing yards (86.5 per game).
Johnson started 17 games and led all defensive tackles in the league with 14 sacks and added 30 defensive tackles, including two tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two knock-downs and one interception.
For his career, Johnson has played 81 regular-season games and accumulated 160 tackles, two special-teams tackles, 41 sacks, two interceptions, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
The 30-year-old University of Kentucky alumnus was named both a West Division and CFL allstar in 2016 and 2017 and is the Stampeders’ nominee this season for the most outstanding defensive player award.
“Micah is an intense competitor who plays the game with passion,” said Stampeders president and general manager John Hufnagel. “He has been a very important part of our defence for a number of years and he is a worthy winner of the Presidents’ Ring.”
Hall of famer Wayne Harris was the first winner of the Presidents’ Ring, and 34 different men have been presented with the award.
Henry Burris, Danny Barrett and Stu Laird each won the award on three occasions, while twotime winners are Rob Cote, Keon Raymond, Jay McNeil, Alondra Johnson, Wayne Harris, Allen Pitts, Lloyd Fairbanks, Bernie Morrison, Ed McAleney, James Sykes, Willie Burden and Jerry Keeling.