William Stanback is in the running for the Canadian Football League MVP, while David Ménard could be named the Ambrosie Tour MVP. Both are extremely touched by these nominations, but they don’t want to go for their award without their teammates in attendance.
Stanback, the tour’s top running back in 2021, and Ménard could be chosen on Saturday, December 11, at the annual CFL gala. Presented on the sidelines of the Gray Cup final, the two Alouettes will only be accompanied by their teammates if the team represents the Eastern Association.
“This honor means a lot, don’t get me wrong,” said Stanback. But (winning the Gray Cup) has always been my goal in bringing me into this league.
“In 2019, we were only missing a few things. But I find that this year we have all of those elements. It will be about being smart, disciplined, and not beating ourselves up. No one is going to beat us. It will be up to us not to lose. So I need my teammates to be (with me at the gala). ”
“In the end, it won’t mean much, these honors, if you don’t win the last game,” Ménard added. This is good from a personal point of view, but all the efforts we make, they are made to win […] the only honor which is not subject to a vote, which is won as a team. ”
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
David Ménard
Exceptional season
Stanback, whose rival for the MVP is Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros, finished atop the CFL with 1,176 rushing yards, more than 300 yards than his closest pursuer, who contested. one more encounter than him.
The 27-year-old has also dominated the league in several other categories, including his 6.1 yards per carry and 193 carries, in addition to his six games with over 100 yards rushing.
“I realize what an honor I am being afforded,” said the American of the nomination. I put all the hard work into it, which is why I think I deserve it. ”
André Bolduc, the running back coach, was particularly happy for him
“If only to erase the difficult year he lived in 2020 – the loss of his parents, the failed adventure with the Raiders, who did not give him the opportunity to show off – c ‘ is deserved. […] He’s such a great guy. Obviously, it’s an individual honor, but he’s the first to give credit to his teammates. ”
“It’s amazing how he’s played this season for our team after such a difficult year,” added head coach Khari Jones, himself the 2001 title recipient. He’s right when he says it It would be special to be with him if he wins: I greatly appreciated the presence of teammates (of the Blue Bombers) when I was elected. ”
As for Ménard, an athlete from Chicoutimi, he finished the season fourth in the league with eight quarterback sacks, the highest total for a Canadian player. He also caused two fumbles, in addition to amassing 18 tackles, including one for a loss.
Quite a turnaround for an athlete who was looking for a job after being released by the BC Lions in 2019.
“I’m part of a team that trusts me,” he said of his successes. I can play freely, without stress. ”
Ménard will fight linebacker Bo Lokombo, a former Alouette who now wears the Lions colors.