Riders’ Charleston Hughes: ‘I’m the real MOP’

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

Charleston Hughes is feelin’ some type of way about his performance in 2019.

“I’m the real MOP”

— Charleston Hughes (@Sackatchewan2) September 29, 2019

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“I don’t think Twitter’s a good thing at all – period. There’s nothing good that comes from Twitter. So anytime anybody says anything I just cringe,” head coach Craig Dickenson said

As much as Dickenson has a disdain for social media, rightfully so as the bench boss, it could create awareness for Hughes.

Only one primary defender ever has won the Canadian Football League’s Most Outstanding Player Award, Hughes’ current teammate Solomon Elimimian accomplished the feat in 2014.

Hughes has a case to be made with his league-leading 15 sacks and four forced fumbles in 12 games. The 35-year-old is playing at a high level and on pace for a career-high in quarterback takedowns.

Somehow Hughes has never won even a CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award. The last defensive lineman to win the award was former Rider John Chick in 2009. That year Chick recorded 11 sacks and four forced fumbles. Hughes’ numbers are already better than what Chick did when he claimed the award.

Aside from the quest for individual accolades, Hughes knows how rare hoisting the Grey Cup can be. Two times Hughes won a CFL title with the Calgary Stampeders (2008 and 2014).

“He feels good. He loves football,” Dickenson said.

“He said a few things to the team: you don’t get a lot of chances and this is a good bunch of guys so he emphasized he wants to make a run and he’d appreciate it if they jump on board.”