2025 CFL Awards: Lions' Rourke earns historic MOP win

The Canadian Football League handed out its 2025 awards Thursday in Winnipeg.

It was a big night for the BC Lions, who walked away with three of the six major on-field awards as voted by members of the Football Reporters of Canada and the nine CFL head coaches. Every award was won by a player from the West Division.

Unlike in past years, the Coach of the Year (Annis Stukus Trophy) was not announced Thursday. That award's recipient will be revealed at a later date, with Saskatchewan's Corey Mace and Montreal's Jason Maas as the top candidates.

Here's a look at all of Thursday's big winners:

George Reed Most Outstanding Player: Nathan Rourke, Lions QB

It was a historic evening for Nathan Rourke, who became the first Canadian quarterback to win Most Outstanding Player since Ottawa Rough Riders legend Russ Jackson in 1969.

Rourke was at the helm of a dominant BC Lions offense, throwing for 5,290 yards and 31 touchdowns with a 70.4 completion percentage and 112.2 QB rating. He also racked up 564 rushing yards - the most by any QB - and 10 rushing TDs while averaging over nine yards per carry.

Rourke, the runaway winner over Hamilton Tiger-Cats pivot Bo Levi Mitchell, is the eighth Lions player to win MOP. He joins Travis Lulay, Casey Printers, and Doug Flutie as BC quarterbacks who've claimed the accolade. This also marks the second consecutive year a Canadian has won MOP, as Winnipeg tailback Brady Oliveira won in 2024.

Most Outstanding Canadian: Nathan Rourke

Rourke's MOP win made him the obvious choice to claim Most Outstanding Canadian, as he received 50 of 53 votes to beat Montreal Alouettes defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund. The Victoria, B.C., native broke Russ Jackson's 56-year-old single-season record for passing yards by a Canadian quarterback, and became the first Canadian pivot to pass for 5,000 yards in a season. Rourke, who also won this award in 2022, joins four-time winner Jackson as the only QBs to win it multiple times. He's the fifth player to win both MOP and Outstanding Canadian in the same season, joining Brady Oliveira (2024), Jon Cornish (2013), Tony Gabriel (1978), and Jackson (1963, '66, and '69).

Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Mathieu Betts, Lions

Betts was named the CFL's top defender for the second time in three years. The defensive end terrorized quarterbacks all season, recording a league-leading 15 sacks along with four forced fumbles and 42 tackles. The 30-year-old Montreal native is the first Canadian to win Most Outstanding Defensive Player twice. He's also the fourth multi-time winner with BC, joining Solomon Elimimian, Cameron Wake, and James "Quick" Parker.

Betts received 40 of 53 votes to defeat East Division nominee Julian Howsare.

Most Outstanding Rookie: Trey Vaval, Blue Bombers DB/KR

Vaval exploded onto the CFL scene as both a defender and special teams force. The 25-year-old Missouri native tallied 21 defensive tackles along with one interception and one fumble recovery, plus another four special teams tackles. He also set multiple records as a kick returner. Vaval is the eighth Blue Bombers player to win Most Outstanding Rookie.

Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Jermarcus Hardrick, Roughriders

This is Hardrick's first time winning the top lineman award in 12 CFL seasons. The 35-year-old anchored a Roughriders O-line that allowed the offense to produce over 6,800 yards of net offense and a 1,200-yard season for running back A.J. Ouellette. Hardrick, who earned 38 of 53 votes to defeat Hamilton guard Brandon Revenberg, is the first Riders lineman to earn this award since Brendon LaBatte in 2013.

Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: Trey Vaval

Vaval added the top special teams honor to his Outstanding Rookie trophy, receiving 40 votes to beat Argos kicker Lirim Hajrullahu. The Minnesota State product racked up 2,266 total return yards, including a league-leading 957 punt return yards while tallying four kick return touchdowns. Vaval set a CFL record in Week 16 by returning two missed field goals for 199 yards, including one for a 128-yard touchdown. He's the fifth Winnipeg player to win this award.

Tom Pate Memorial Award: Andrew Peirson, Lions

The CFL Players' Association bestows this award to a player who demonstrates "outstanding sportsmanship, dedication to the league, and significant contributions to team, community, and the players' association." Peirson, a Lions offensive lineman, started six games for BC this season. Off the field, he was heavily involved in the Vancouver community, making hundreds of school visits with the Lions. He also recently earned the King Charles III Coronation Award in recognition of his work with the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Jake Gadauar Veterans' Award: Logan Ferland, Roughriders

This award is presented to a Canadian player "who demonstrates the attributes of Canada's veterans." Ferland, a staple of the Roughriders' offensive line and team captain, is an ambassador for Saskatoon's Jim Pattison Children's Hospital and Ronald McDonald House in Saskatchewan. He also works with youth in his home province as part of the Rider Reading and Win With Wellness programs. On the field, the Canadian Junior Football League alumnus has been one of the CFL's most disciplined players, being flagged just once in his last 56 games.