1966 Award Winners

1966 Award Winners

Most Valuable Player - QB Charles Lemieux BUF
Lemieux takes home his first MVP award this season after taking the Blue Wings to the top this season in quite the revenge season for the team. He has solidified himself as one of the greats already with plenty of potential to continue to lead the Blue Wings to more success. Also, this marks the 8th straight MVP from the West Division, the last East Division winner is QB Jean Matieau in 1958.

Playoff MVP - QB Charles Lemieux BUF
Lemieux did not have a player of the week award in the playoffs, but his consistent leadership and stellar play earned him the playoff MVP narrowly over S Garet deVale. The dominant performance in the McCallister Cup is what truly turned the tide in Lemieux’s favour to win this award.

Offensive Player of the Year - QB Lyle Painter HFX
Painter has put himself right into many conversations of the best QBs in the league history. After last season’s MVP, he joined the Mariners and took home the OPOY award this season. The Mariners are hoping that Painter can continue his play over the past few seasons to help the team stay as a competitive squad. This is the second time Worcester/Halifax has won the OPOY, the first being QB Riley Kiernan in 1956.

Defensive Player of the Year - S Garet deVale MTL
deVale has always been a stellar piece in the Montreal defence, however, he never was able to find his way to the spotlight until this season. His MVP-calibre season solidifies him at the top as the league’s best safety. The win gives a Montreal Rouge member the DPOY award for the first time since LB Quinton Brewer won in 1951. 

Special Teams Player of the Year - K Ross Poindexter IND
Poindexter was voted by the majority to win the STPOY award. This season he helped the Victors reach their 8-4 mark and showed that he can kick it with the best at the position.

Rookie of the Year - WR Felix Fontaine BOS
Fontaine was far and away the favourite rookie of this season. He had a great season being a key young piece in the Boston offence and likely the future #1 receiver. Fontaine is the first Independent to win the ROTY award. 

Coach of the Year - Dannell Willis IND
Dannell Willis and Maurice Evanson were in a tight race for the award, but Willis will become the first back-to-back coach of the year award winner since Peter McDuffin in 1949-1950 with Boston. Willis’ ability to lead the Victors to another successful season despite losing QB Lyle Painter, shows how important he is to the team.

Breakout Player of the Year - WR Shane Steadman HFX
It was another close vote for the Breakout award, but Shane Steadman’s early lead would stand and the WR would become the second straight WR taking home the award. His fantastic season will show that Halifax has a bright future at the WR position.

1966 All-Stars

WEST ALL-STARS
QB Charles Lemieux BUF (2)
RB Max Tracy TOR (1) 
OL Wally McRose PIT (1)
OL Gregory Farrell TOR (3)
OL Viktor Stahl IND (2)
OL Jean-Baptiste Desjardins IND (3)
OL Emil Jennings LDN (2)
WR Ed Edwards IND (5)
WR Julius Drake BUF (1)
WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence PIT(1)
TE Paul Arturberry BUF (1)

DL William Sanderson BUF (10)
DL Bjorn Sigmarsson LOU (4)
DL Lawrence Armstrong TOR (2)
DL Lonnie Vincent BUF (5)
LB Terrence Patton IND (2)
LB Dallas Dillard LDN (4)
LB Marshall Langenbrunner IND (1)
DB Ezra Power BUF (1)
DB Kelly Kirkland IND (6)
DB Orville Blake TOR (2)
S Johnny Berger LOU (6)

K Ross Poindexter IND (1)

EAST ALL-STARS
QB Lyle Painter HFX (2)
RB Dareion Fields LI (7)
OL Graham Chambers BOS (9)
OL Harrison Ward MTL (4)
OL Forrest Green LI (2)
OL Flint Boyer HFX (1)
OL Ward Briscoe HFX (5)
WR Taylor Karis MTL (3)
WR Shane Steadman HFX (1)
WR Owen Paisley PRO (1)
TE Ryan Hatcher OTT (2)

DL Wayne Baxton HFX (4)
DL Pat Butler HFX (2)
DL Craig White PRO (5)
DL Lucas Kipling MTL (2)
LB William Washington II LI (2)
LB Konrad Aust BOS (9)
LB Victor Falkensteig PRO (1)
DB Neville Falkner PRO (6)
DB Alexander Bradley LI (11)
DB Joe Robinson HFX (2)
S Garet deVale MTL (6)

K Henderson Schumacher (4)

1966 League Leaders

Passing Touchdowns
1 - QB Lyle Painter HFX - 22
T2 - QB Charles Lemieux BUF - 19
T2 - QB Connor O’Rourke PRO - 19
4 - QB Tom Applewhite IND - 18
5 - QB Nathaniel Braddock BOS - 17

Rushing Touchdowns
1 - RB Raymond Green IND - 16
2 - RB Max Tracy TOR - 14
3 - RB Rodney Clark LOU - 14
4 - RB Jimmy Golden BUF - 13
5 - RB Kendall Morgan BOS/LI - 11

Receiving Touchdowns
1 - WR Taylor Karis MTL - 11
T2 - WR Shane Steadman HFX - 10
T2 - WR Owen Paisley PRO - 10
4 - WR Ed Edwards IND - 9
5 - WR Cedric Peterson PRO - 8

Interceptions
1 - DB Neville Falkner PRO - 9
T2 - S Garet deVale MTL - 7
T2 - DB Alexander Bradley LI - 7
T4 - DB Ezra Power BUF - 6
T4 - DB Kelly Kirkland IND - 6

Forced Fumbles
1 -  DL William Washington II LI - 6
T2 - DL Wayne Baxton HFX - 5
T2 - LB Terrence Patton IND - 5
T2 - LB Dallas Dillard LDN - 5

49th McCallister Cup Host - Royals Stadium at Brewer Park - Ottawa, ON - Capacity: 45,210
With Canada celebrating their 100th birthday during the year of 1967, the NAAF has awarded the McCallister Cup to Ottawa, ON. The capital of Canada and home to the NAAF is the perfect spot for this McCallister Cup to celebrate this centennial birthday.