1960 Award Winners

1960 Award Winners 

Most Valuable Player - WR Max Sutton LDN
A fantastic season from the rising star in Max Sutton makes him the second WR to take home the league MVP. He certainly reminded a lot of people of WR Allen Atkins who was the previous WR to take home the MVP, as he was in the lead of both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns for pretty much the whole season. The 26-year-old is only getting started and looks to be one of the league’s next big threats in the pass-game.   

Playoff MVP - DL Olaf Viktorsson OTT
The role that Viktorsson played for the Royals in their playoff run was huge. In both games, Viktorsson had 2 forced fumbles, 16 tackles, 4 Sacks, and a touchdown. The important part was the touchdown, which clinched the Royals' win over the Independents in the East Division Final. He also had a huge deflection in the McCallister Cup which led to a pick that kept the Royals in the game. While Max Sutton could have easily won it, Viktorsson played a huge part in each of the 3 games to earn him the award.  

Offensive Player of the Year - RB Johnnie Stafford BUF/LI
Taking WR Max Sutton out of the running for OPOY made it a close battle between the other three candidates, but the one that may have deserved it the most came out narrowly on top. 30-year-old RB Johnnie Stafford had not broken 10 touchdowns in a season in his career until just last season, and then he did it again this year with 18 rushing touchdowns and the second-most rushing yards. Stafford also becomes the first player to ever win an award while playing a season with two different teams.  

Defensive Player of the Year - LB Scotty Williams WOR
Scotty Williams became the 4th player to win 2 DPOY Awards. It’s not really a surprise for a player that always seems to be on the radar for one of the best defenders every season. His leadership and play on the field this season was a huge reason the Athletics found themselves in the playoffs once again.  

Special Teams Player of the Year - K Nimrod Handsworth LDN
In his first season in the kicking role for the Tigers, Handsworth had an excellent season. The young kicker had some mistakes early on in the season but made up for it with some game-clinching kicks. His first season showed a lot of promise and should be a great career for the kicker. 

Rookie of the Year - RB Jimmy Golden BUF
Jimmy Golden showed the league his potential with the second half of the 1960 season. After OPOY Johnnie Stafford was dealt to Long Island, Golden managed to take over and put up 7 rushing touchdowns. His speed and agility made many defenders look like fools and made his case to be in the conversation for the next generation of great RBs.

Coach of the Year - Dean Reed MTL
Having to be the replacement for one of the greatest coaches all-time in HC Peter McDuffin is a tough thing to do, and Reed did a fine job falling into a rebuild and getting the Independents back into a competitive picture. However, it wasn’t until he managed to turn the Montreal Rouge into a top tier team to show his top-notch coaching ability. A strong 4-0 start and a return to the playoffs for a team that had not been above .500 since '54, were the main factors in Reed earning his first COTY award.

Breakout Player of the Year - RB Johnnie Stafford BUF/LI
As mentioned before Stafford really hadn’t truly broken into the top of the league until the 1959 season. And while a player finding his groove, later on, is not uncommon, seeing it happen in the player’s 8th and 9th seasons is certainly something different. The former 14th overall pick finally reached his full potential in time to grab a pair of awards in a career year. 

1960 All-Stars 

WEST ALL-STARS
QB Riley Kiernan LDN (4)
RB Johnnie Stafford BUF/LI (1)
OL Jean Mathieu-Baptiste BUF (4)
OL Ulysses Fairgrove LDN (3)
OL Magnus Gunnersson LDN (2)
OL Elliot Winterbottom LI (2)
OL Bernhard Altermann LOU (1)
WR Max Sutton LDN (2)
WR Ben Roland LOU (2)
WR Darryl Duke LI (2)
TE Johann Traeger BUF (2)

DL Olympus Heights LDN (3)
DL Vernon Spears LI (4)
DL William Sanderson IND (4)
DL Lonnie Vincent BUF (1)
LB Aengus Lynch LDN (7)
LB Rusty McVee LI (5)
LB Elijah Goldwater LI (2)
DB Jackson Miles LDN (2)
DB Alexander Bradley LOU (6)
DB Oliver Langstrom LOU (1)
S Johnny Berger LOU (1)

K Nimrod Handsworth LDN (1)

EAST ALL-STARS
QB Jean Matieau OTT (6)
RB Scott Mallard-White MTL (3)
OL Graham Chambers BOS (2)
OL Sal Valcano BOS (2)
OL Maxence Castex MTL (3)
OL Charlie Bennett OTT (4)
OL Cliff Strautzenberger WOR (6)
WR Derek Cross MTL (1)
WR Mackenzie Jones OTT (3)
WR Ellis Lindholm BOS (4)
TE Jervonte Howell OTT (6)

DL Calias McDonough PRO (5)
DL Zakary Turbide MTL (6)
DL Olaf Viktorsson OTT (7)
DL Vinny Brown WOR (3)
LB Scotty Williams WOR (9)
LB Brent Harper BOS (5)
LB Konrad Aust BOS (4)
DB Quentin Xavier MTL (5)
DB Mingan Oliver OTT (3)
DB Uzzia Hayes OTT (2)
S Drew Porter BOS (2)

K Johnnie Berg BOS (2)

43rd McCallister Cup Host - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - Ottawa, ON - Capacity: 45,210
The city of Ottawa will host their second McCallister Cup for the 1961 season. They didn’t win their bid for their 50th anniversary, but they got the hosting duties on the second go around. The question will now be will the Royals be able to get to their 8th straight game and their second time at home.