The Brightest Stars: CFL All-Stars
The CFL has named the players who have been selected as the 2021 All-Stars.
We had the currently unusual occurrence of a December Grey Cup game. Where we got to enjoy an instant classic.
But now we are back to the usual round of CFL events. For CFL fans the season is over and the off-season is in full swing. This time of year means one other thing too. In the run up to the festive season the CFL reveals its own pre-Christmas stars.
The 58th annual Canadian Football League (CFL) All-Stars were named when they were selected by 50 voters comprising members of the Football Reporters of Canada and the league’s head coaches.
It is always interesting to make a comparison. This is the third All-Star ballot since Ninety Nine Yards has been covering the CFL. Whilst there is some continuity, each one has looked different. Be that this year, 2019 or 2018.
2020 is missing from the list due to a cancelled season. Which is why it warms the heart all the more to see this list appear once more. Only a Grinch could complain about a return to play and naming of the All-Stars!
The Numbers
Seven of the nine teams saw at least one selection made from their roster. Neither Saskatchewan or Edmonton saw one of their players make League All-Star this year.
27 players were named in all. That list was dominated by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers who contributed 11 players to the list. Reflecting how far ahead they were seen to other teams, second place for nominations went to Hamilton with 4 players on the list.
There were also 3 players selected from the Montreal Alouettes and Calgary Stampeders. Whilst the BC Lions, Ottawa REDBLACKS, & Toronto Argonauts provided 2 players each.
The list includes 16 players from Western Division teams, (thanks mostly to the preponderance of Blue bombers players). Whilst the East Division provides 11 of the leagues brightest stars.
Brightest Stars: Offence
| Quarterback | Zach Collaros | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | ||
| Running Back | William Stanback | Montreal Alouettes | ||
| Receivers | Kenny Lawler | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | ||
| Eugene Lewis | Montreal Alouettes | |||
| Bryan Burnham | BC Lions | |||
| Lucky Whitehead | BC Lions | |||
| Jake Wieneke | Montreal Alouettes | |||
| Centre | Sean McEwen | Calgary Stampeders | ||
| Guards | Brandon Revenberg | Hamilton Tiger-Cats | ||
| Patrick Neufeld | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | |||
| Offensive Tackles | Stanley Bryant | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | ||
| Jermarcus Hardrick | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
Brightest Stars: Defence
| Defensive Ends | Jackson Jeffcoat | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | ||
| Willie Jefferson | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | |||
| Defensive Tackles | Mike Rose | Calgary Stampeders | ||
| Shawn Oakman | Toronto Argonauts | |||
| Linebackers | Adam Bighill | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | ||
| Simoni Lawrence | Hamilton Tiger-Cats | |||
| Cover Linebacker | Chris Edwards | Toronto Argonauts | ||
| Cornerbacks | DeAundre Alford | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | ||
| Jumal Rolle | Hamilton Tiger-Cats | |||
| Halfbacks | Cariel Brooks | Hamilton Tiger-Cats | ||
| Deatrick Nichols | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | |||
| Safety | Brandon Alexander | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
Brightest Stars: Special Teams
| Kicker | Rene Paredes | Calgary Stampeders | ||
| Punter | Richie Leone | Ottawa REDBLACKS | ||
| Special Teams Player | DeVonte Dedmon | Ottawa REDBLACKS |
In the past three years the key position – QB- has been held by a different player. And 2 out of the 3 of them were named MOP. Including this year.
The Three Amigos
Three players have been named CFL All-Star three times in a row since we started looking at this. Take a bow BC Lions WR Bryan Burnham, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers OT Stanley Bryant and DE Willie Jefferson.
Burnham was also named a CFL All-Star in 2017 meaning he has 4 consecutive All-Star nominations.
3 time Grey Cup champ and 3 time CFL Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Bryant matches this. He is actually a six time All-Star being on the list in 2103 & 2014 too.
Jefferson, another 3 time Grey Cup winner, and the 2019 defensive MOP also has 4 consecutive nominations stretching back to 2017.
As ever it is a fabulous list of the brightest stars in the CFL. It is good to reflect on just how much talent and star power the league actually has.
Banner Image: 6 time CFL All Star and current Defensive MOP Adam Bighill celebrates with a teammate. Image from bluebombers.com