VANCOUVER, British Columbia — B.C. Lions linebacker Solomon Elimimian was honored Thursday night as the Canadian Football League’s outstanding player, becoming the first pure defensive player to win the award.
The former Hawaii star had 143 defensive tackles and 151 total tackles, both CFL records, and added five sacks. He also was selected the CFL’s top defensive player.
“Man, I couldn’t sleep, I was so nervous thinking about my speech, thinking about what I need,” Elimimian said. “Winning an award is great, but something of this magnitude I probably won’t fully comprehend, fully appreciate until later on.”
In his acceptance speech, Elimimian paid tribute to former Lions head coach Mike Benevides, who was in attendance, and invited teammates and family up on stage with him. And when Elimimian received the top defensive player award, he also recognized his presenter, five-time winner Willie Pless.
“I just feel like mentally I’m starting to come into my own,” Elimimian said. “My thing was I knew I was going to dominate every game. It was just about how much I was going to dominate.”
Elimimian played for Hawaii from 2005-08, earning first-team all-Western Athletic Conference selection in 2007-08.
Calgary running back Jon Cornish was honored as the most outstanding Canadian after helping lead the Stampeders to the Grey Cup game Sunday night against Hamilton.
Calgary’s Brett Jones was selected the top offensive lineman, and Edmonton linebacker Dexter McCoil was honored as the mlost outstanding rookie.