1973 NAAF Awards

Most Outstanding Player

QB Kevin Westwood - Vancouver Wolves

In just 4 seasons, Westwood has quickly established himself as one of the elite passers in the NAAF. This season, Westwood led the league’s #1 offence, throwing 31 touchdowns (tying Buck Murphy) and only 7 interceptions. He was consistent, dominant, and poised all year long, leading the Wolves to their first West Division title and best finish in the regular season since joining the NAAF in 1970. An outstanding performance, rightfully earning the league’s MOP for 1973.

Playoff Most Outstanding Player

WR Antonio Villanueva - Montreal Rouge

The Rouge had an excellent run in the postseason, but one of the standout stars was WR Antonio Villanueva. The 24-year-old has made a massive impact in his first few years, and during this playoff run, he scored 3 times during the first two games. While he didn’t get into the endzone in the McCallister Cup, he had a few key plays that set up scores in the big game.

Offensive Player of the Year

WR Casey Coleman - Louisville Thunder

Since his move to Louisville, Casey Coleman has continued to show again and again that he is the best WR in the league. He had 16 touchdowns this season, which was 5 more than the next receiver in the league. It was another dominant season for Coleman, which earned him his 2nd Offensive Player of the Year. 

Defensive Player of the Year

LB Reuben James - London Tigers

It was a close race between LB Reuben James, DL Johnathan Ellison, and DB Lamar Brown. In the end, it was the 26-year-old who earned the DPOY. James led the league in tackles this season, helping the Tigers to their best defensive performance in the past half-decade. James becomes the 2nd Tiger to win the Award, following his current head coach Aengus Lynch, who won the award in 1956. 

Special Teams Player of the Year

K Vic Greatwood - Long Island Raiders

One year ago, Greatwood was at home watching the league from his couch. One year later, and now Greatwood is a Special Teams Player of the Year winner, finishing with 147 points this season. Greatwood becomes the 3rd different Raiders’ kicker to win the Award, following K Thomas McFadden (4x) and K Henderson Schumacher (5x), joining a list of great kickers out of Long Island.

Offensive Lineman of the Year

OL Carlton Vanderbilt - Boston Independents

Vanderbilt became the 3rd unique winner of the OLOY award, leading the Boston O-line that was a part of one of the strongest run-games in the league. The former 5th Overall Pick has been the best part of a strong Boston front that has been great for the run game and protecting QB Nathaniel Braddock. 

Coach of the Year

Johnnie Dawson - Vancouver Wolves

It is tough to make an argument for anyone else to be Coach of the Year this season when Dawson coached the Wolves to a 1st place finish this season. He was able to help facilitate the league’s #1 offence and #1 defence, which is rare to do in one season. A feat that truly shows how well-rounded of a coach Dawson is.  

Rookie of the Year

DB Oliver Benson - London Tigers

There were several strong rookies this season, but it was Benson who stood above the rest, proving to be not only the strongest rookie but one of the best at the position in the league. He finished his rookie season with 8 interceptions, which is up there amongst the NAAF’s elite. Benson did this while also starting the season coming off the bench, just showing how dominant he was down the stretch. Along with DPOY LB Reuben James, the Tigers have a bright future on defence. 

Breakout of the Year

LB Lochlan Bourne - Vancouver Wolves

Bourne was a unique star this season, becoming a valuable part of Vancouver’s top defence. He had 4 interceptions which was the most among linebackers this season. His unique ability in coverage makes him a unique piece in the defence and at only 24 years of age, the Wolves have a young key player that should hopefully be a strong piece for the foreseeable future.

1973 All-Stars

West Division All-Stars

QB Kevin Westwood - VAN (4)

RB Tyler Kuhn - MIN (3)

OL Charles Hyland - REG (1)

OL Kenny Rudolph - VAN (1)

OL Claude Balderson - WPG (3)

OL David Biarski - MIN (1)

OL Charles Schwartz - CGY (3)

WR Akira Sakamoto - VAN (1)

WR Keshawn Johnston - VAN (4)

WR Sebastian Dassler - MIN (4)

TE Johnny Temple - VAN (4)

DL Butcher Callahan - REG (2)

DL Damian Battles - CGY (4)

DL Rashawn Sutherland - VAN (1)

DL Caleb Cologne - EDM (2)

LB Marcus McGhee - CGY (1)

LB Garrett Roberts - MIN (2)

LB Claude Clarke - WPG (4)

DB Austin Sherebernikoff - MIN (3)

DB Scott Summerhayes - CGY (1)

S Takuya Sasaki - VAN (1)

S Vernon Redgate - WPG (3)

K Ray Bough - MIN (2)

Central Division All-Stars

QB Buck Murphy - LOU (1)

RB Jeremy Royal - LDN (1)

OL Artem Sobakov - BUF (4)

OL Robert Pelletier - LOU (1)

OL Gordie Hammarstein - LOU (3)

OL Jean Baptiste Francois - PIT (4)

OL Jacob Szczepanski - LDN (1)

WR Casey Coleman - LOU (6)

WR Taylor Austin - PIT (3)

WR Jake Abbredezzi - IND (3)

TE Rex Williamson - LOU (3)

DL Aaron Henderson - LOU (5)

DL Arthur Bradshaw - PIT (5)

DL Ned Hedman - BUF (2)

DL Matthias Hartmann - PIT (2)

LB Reuben James - LDN (3)

LB Judge Barrett - TOR (3)

LB Ricky Wildgoose - LOU (1)

DB Zed McLaughlin - PIT (5)

DB Dwayne James - TOR (2)

S Charles Clerk - TOR (5)

S Marcus Harris - LDN (1)

K Nimrod Handsworth - LDN (7)

East Division All-Stars

QB Ivan Sanchez - LI (1)

RB Reggie Whitehead - BOS (4)

OL Carlton Vanderbilt - BOS (3)

OL Kane Warwick - HFX (5)

OL Elliot Barrett - MTL (5)

OL Dane Hodgeson - OTT (1)

OL Doyle MacInnis - LI (1)

WR Sterling Underhill - OTT (1)

WR Antonio Villanueva - MTL (2)

WR Justin Palmer - PRO (2)

TE Eric Peterson - LI (2)

DL Johnathan Ellison - LI (3)

DL Alan Franjkovic - MTL (1)

DL Bernhard Hartmann - OTT (4)

DL Bartolo Cruz - PRO (5)

LB Jean-Christophe Bain - MTL (2)

LB Kurt Warlock - PRO (5)

LB Byron Turner - BOS (6)

DB Lamar Brown - MTL (4)

DB Sergio Alvarez - OTT (6)

S Ernie Osborne - BOS (3)

S Mathieu Cazenave - MTL (3)

K Vic Greatwood - LI (1)