CFL Awards: Mitchell named MOP ahead of 3rd straight Grey Cup appearance

The 2018 CFL Awards ceremony was held Thursday night in Edmonton, ahead of the 106th Grey Cup on Sunday.

The Calgary Stampeders and Ottawa Redblacks were well represented among the honorees in advance of their participation in Sunday's big game.

The winners were named as follows.

Most Outstanding Player: Bo Levi Mitchell, Stampeders

Mitchell led the Stampeders to a third consecutive Grey Cup appearance while completing 356 of 585 passing attempts for 5,124 yards and 35 touchdowns with 14 interceptions. He added 108 yards on the ground in his seventh CFL season.

Most Outstanding Canadian: Brad Sinopoli, Redblacks

The eighth-year wide receiver out of Peterborough, Ontario totaled 1,376 receiving yards and four touchdowns over 17 games. It was his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season - all with the Redblacks.

Most Outstanding Rookie: Lewis Ward, Redblacks

Ward, a native of Kingston, Ontario, was a standout on special teams for the Redblacks, making 51 of 52 field goals on the season, including a professional football record of 48 consecutively converted attempts. He twice made seven kicks in a game.

Ward also took home the honors for Most Outstanding Special Teams Player.

Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Stanley Bryant, Blue Bombers

The nine-year veteran won the award for a second consecutive season. He's played in every regular-season game over his four campaigns with the Bombers.

Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Adam Bighill, Blue Bombers

Bighill returned from a year with the New Orleans Saints in the NFL to record two interceptions, four sacks, four forced fumbles, and 105 tackles with one touchdown. The linebacker played his seventh CFL season and first with the Blue Bombers.

Coach of the Year: Chris Jones, Roughriders

Jones led Saskatchewan to a 12-6 record and second place in the West Division.