Reigning CFL Most Outstanding Player Brandon Banks: ‘I won’t put on a helmet til 2021’

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

The Canadian Football League’s reigning Most Outstanding Player Brandon Banks has stated his football playing intentions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CFL presented the players with a scenario for a potential six-game 2020 season, which would see athletes self-isolate in quaratine for up to 105 days or 15 weeks in a hub concept for one-third of their base salary. However, Banks isn’t having any of it.

After a fan asked Banks if the CFL was going to play games in 2020, Banks responded on Twitter: Idk what they gonna do but I won’t put on a helmet til 2021. Banks added: I will play on my 2020 contract agreements in 2021…..I wouldn’t do a great organization that’s been behind me for 8 years like that.

Speedy B earned the 2019 CFL MOP title by making electric plays as the three-down league’s most entertaining player. The Kansas State University product received 41-of-50 first-place votes to win the award over West Division nominee Cody Fajardo of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Banks became the fifth Tiger-Cat to take home Most Outstanding Player honours, joining Danny McManus (1999), Jimmy Edwards (1977), Garney Henley (1972) and Bernie Faloney (1961). The five-foot-seven, 150-pounder was the ninth receiver to win the league’s top individual award and first since Chad Owens in 2012. The 32-year-old was also the CFL’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player in 2015.

He started 16 games at receiver for Hamilton last year and set career highs while leading the CFL in all major receiving categories, including receptions (112), yards (1,550) and touchdowns (13), as well as targets (158). His 112 receptions were a Ticats’ single-season franchise record.

According to Banks, one of the league’s biggest stars, he won’t be taking the field until the 2021 season.