Stamps linebacker Singleton up for three CFL awards
TORONTO — It has been a record-breaking season for Alex Singleton.
The six-foot-two, 235-pound linebacker has helped anchor a Calgary Stampeders defence that’s tops in the Canadian Football League in fewest offensive points allowed (17.1 per game), touchdowns (28), yards (322.2 per game), most sacks (49) and quarterback pressures (123). Singleton has done his part with 121 defensive tackles and 123 total tackles, the former a CFL record for a Canadian and both being club marks.
And Singleton also became the first CFL player to record at least 10 tackles in three consecutive games.
On Wednesday, Singleton was rewarded with a league-high three nominations for the CFL’s individual awards. Singleton was named Calgary’s nominee as top player, defensive player and Canadian in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada and eight league head coaches.
Singleton was a unanimous selection as defensive player and Canadian.
Singleton, 23, was born in California but qualifies as a national player in the CFL because he’s a Canadian citizen.
The other nominees for top player include quarterbacks Mike Reilly of Edmonton, Ricky Ray of Toronto (unanimously) and Matt Nichols of Winnipeg, linebackers Solomon Elimimian of B.C., Kyries Hebert of Montreal and Larry Dean of Hamilton, Saskatchewan receiver/cornerback Duron Carter and Ottawa receiver Greg Ellingson.
In 2014, Elimimian became the first pure defensive player to capture the CFL’s outstanding player award.
Elimimian, Dean and Hebert (all defensive player nominees also) were among eight players to receive two nominations. The others included: B.C. kicker/punter Ty Long (special teams, rookie) and offensive linemen Matt O’Donnell of Edmonton, Ryan Bomben of Hamilton, Sean McEwen of Toronto and Kristian Matte of Montreal (Canadian, lineman).
Calgary kick-returner Roy Finch (special teams), linebacker Henoc Muamba (Canadian) and offensive lineman Brendon LaBatte (lineman) of Saskatchewan, Winnipeg running back Andrew Harris (Canadian) and Hamilton kicker Sergio Castillo (special teams) were all unanimous selections. Back in junior football, Harris starred for the Vancouver Island Raiders.
The division finalists will be announced next Thursday. The CFL will honour its top performers Nov. 23 in Ottawa.