Rourke, Oliveira and Philpot named CFL Most Outstanding Canadian finalists
Nathan Rourke and Brady Oliveira are seeking a third award, while first-time finalist Tyson Philpot enters after a record-setting receiving season.
BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira and Montreal Alouettes receiver Tyson Philpot were named finalists for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian award on Tuesday, October 27, according to a Canadian Press report carried by Global News. Two have won the award before; Philpot is a first-time finalist.
The finalists represent three different parts of the offence after the regular season ended over the weekend. Rourke led the Lions’ passing game, Oliveira finished as the league’s leading rusher, and Philpot topped the receiving tables, TSN reported. The winner has yet to be announced.
Rourke’s passing season and earlier awards
Rourke threw for 4,614 yards and 24 touchdowns while completing 70.5% of his passes, the Canadian Press reported. He also ran for 356 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 11.5 yards per carry. TSN said the Lions finished 10-8 and are due to face the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Western semifinal this weekend. Rourke won the Canadian award in 2022 and 2025, putting him in contention for a third.
Philpot’s receiving records and Oliveira’s rushing lead
Philpot caught 124 passes for 1,809 yards in 16 games, setting Canadian marks for receptions and receiving yards, according to the Canadian Press. He scored 13 receiving touchdowns, tied for the league lead with Montreal teammate Tyler Snead. TSN said Philpot’s yardage was the most in a CFL season since Geroy Simon’s 2006 campaign, while no player had made as many catches since Derrell Mitchell in 1998. Montreal secured the East’s top seed.
Oliveira rushed for 1,493 yards, averaging 6.3 yards per carry, the Canadian Press reported. TSN put the next closest rusher, Edmonton’s Justin Rankin, at 1,170 yards. Oliveira added 42 catches for 348 yards and scored eight touchdowns overall: seven rushing and one receiving. It was the Winnipeg native’s fifth straight 1,000-yard rushing season. He won the Most Outstanding Canadian award in 2023 and 2024.
When the CFL will announce more finalists and winners
The CFL also named finalists for Most Outstanding Rookie and Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman on Tuesday, TSN reported. Toronto receiver Tyler Kahmann, BC linebacker Parker McKenna and Winnipeg defensive back Major Williams are the rookie finalists. Winnipeg’s Jarell Broxton and Montreal’s Nick Callender and Pier-Olivier Lestage are the offensive lineman finalists. TSN said the Football Reporters of Canada conducted the award voting.
Finalists for Most Outstanding Player, Most Outstanding Defensive Player and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player are due on Wednesday, October 28. Winners will be revealed during the postseason and offseason, TSN reported. The league will not hold its annual awards ceremony this year; instead, winners will learn of their awards through surprise presentations shared online, according to the Canadian Press.
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Sources and context
- Rourke, Oliveira, Philpot top Canadian finalistsThe Canadian Press, republished by Global News
- Philpot, Oliveira, Rourke finalists for CFL’s Most Outstanding CanadianTSN
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.