Calvillo tops list of CFL award nominees

Performing with fewer distractions has allowed Anthony Calvillo to return to the upper echelon of Canadian Football League quarterbacks this season and put himself in the running for league outstanding player honours.

He was a unanimous choice Tuesday as the Montreal Alouettes' nominee for the award following first-round voting by the Football Reporters of Canada and the CFL's eight head coaches.

The nomination comes roughly a year after Calvillo took a leave of absence from the Alouettes to be with his wife, Alexia Kontolemos, when she was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma, a form of cancer.

When Calvillo left the team, he wasn't sure if he'd be back. Fortunately, Kontolemos responded well to the off-season chemotherapy and radiation treatments, allowing Calvillo to return to Montreal's lineup.

"Personally, I always get excited and my wife got very excited," Calvillo said about his nomination. "She takes these things more to heart.

"Before, I wouldn't pay attention. It's an accomplishment that reflects upon the whole team."

Calvillo leads the CFL in passing with 5,633 yards and 43 touchdowns, just five shy of Doug Flutie's single-season record.

With Calvillo under centre, Montreal's offence has been the CFL's most potent this year, leading the league in points scored (570), touchdowns (61), passing touchdowns (44), total yards (440 per game), yards passing (331 per game) and fewest sacks allowed (18).

More importantly, the Alouettes (11-6) have cemented top spot in the East Division and will host the conference final on Nov. 15.

Wake earns double nomination

Cameron Wake of the B.C. Lions is a double nominee for most outstanding player and top defensive player. The defensive end has a league-leading 20 quarterback sacks.

The only triple nominee was Winnipeg defensive tackle Doug Brown. In addition to an outstanding player nod, he will be considered for top defensive player and outstanding Canadian. 

The nomination was Brown's first outstanding player nod. He has been nominated for top Canadian player five times before, and won the award in 2001.

For the West Division, quarterbacks Henry Burris of Calgary and Ricky Ray of Edmonton were chosen unanimously as outstanding player nominees, as was Saskatchewan running back Wes Cates.

In the East Division, Toronto standout Dominique Dorsey also made the list, as did Hamilton defensive back Chris Thompson.