Argos offensive lineman Sean McEwen was gracious Wednesday when the Canadian Football League announced the first nominees for the league’s player awards.
“I think anyone on our O-line is just as deserving as me in getting recognition like this,” said McEwen, the Argos’ representative in both the offensive lineman and outstanding Canadian categories. “Everyone worked just as hard as me, so they all deserve this award.”
That team-first attitude was common Wednesday as four other Argos joined McEwen as nominees.
Quarterback Ricky Ray, who took over the Argos’ franchise lead in passing yards (16,620) and pass attempts (1,989) and reached the 60,000-yard plateau for his career, was a unanimous selection for the outstanding player award. He was a finalist in 2014, losing out to B.C. Lions linebacker Soloman Elimimian.
Ray was humbled to be nominated again but kept his focus on Toronto’s pivotal game with B.C. this Saturday in Vancouver. A win would give Toronto a bye into the East final and the right to host it Nov. 19.
“The coaching staff has done a good job of reminding us all week what’s at stake,” said Ray, who is second in the CFL in passing behind Mike Reilly, the Eskimos’ nominee for the outstanding player award. “We all understand what’s at stake, and we’ve had a good week of practices. There’s a lot of energy directed at what we need to do this weekend.”
Linebacker Bear Woods, sixth in the CFL in tackles, was nominated as the team’s best defensive player. Running back James Wilder Jr. is up for the rookie award. And Martese Jackson, who is having an outstanding season as a returner, was nominated for the special teams award.
McEwen, the team’s top rookie a year ago, got the nod as outstanding lineman and outstanding Canadian. He drew high praise from Ray for leading the offensive line.
“He’s the quarterback of the offensive line out there,” Ray said of the 24-year-old Calgary native. “He calls all the signals for the line, he makes sure everyone is in their right place. He makes the reads and gets everybody on the same page. As a quarterback, that gives you confidence that you can focus on your job, knowing that your offensive line will do what they’re supposed to do.”
McEwen and the offensive line agreed to grow beards in the second week of the season and shave after their last game. It’s part of the everyday fun that seems to be contagious with this team.
“I didn’t think there could be a locker room this close in the game, everyone in there truly believes in each other and loves each other,” McEwen said.
McEwen visited his family back in Calgary last week, a bye week for the Argos. It was a chance to see mother, Julie, who works at the University of Calgary in the medical education department, and father, Murray, who is a chiropractor.
“I got in a couple of treatments from my dad during the bye week, so that was a bonus,” he said.
McEwen credited roommate and fellow offensive lineman Tyler Holmes with guidance and friendship during this season, which started with McEwen signing a two-year contract extension.
The two take the TTC to practice daily and “share information and bounce ideas off each other” while trying to improve the overall performance of the offensive line.
