The 2019 CFL season was the 66th season of modern-day
Canadian football
Canadian football () is a team sport, sport played in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete for territorial control of a field of play long and wide attempting to advance a pointed oval-shaped ball into the opposing team's sco ...
. Officially, it was the 62nd
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League (CFL; french: Ligue canadienne de football—LCF) is a professional sports league in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football. The league consists of nine teams, each located in a ci ...
season. The regular season began on June 13 and concluded with the playing of the
107th Grey Cup
The 107th Grey Cup decided the champion of the 2019 season in the Canadian Football League (CFL). The match was played on November 24, 2019, between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Alberta. Wi ...
in Calgary on November 24 —where the
Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeated the
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a professional Canadian football team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Tim Hortons Fiel ...
33–12 to win their first Grey Cup since 1990.
League business
International partnerships
In October 2018, the CFL began work on an initiative known as "CFL 2.0" to grow its revenues and broaden its international reach outside of Canada and the United States. This included establishing partnerships with other gridiron football leagues (including using them as a potential
farm system
In sports, a farm team, farm system, feeder team, feeder club, or nursery club is generally a team or club whose role is to provide experience and training for young players, with an agreement that any successful players can move on to a higher ...
for Canadian player development post-university), international combines, scouting international prospects to join Canadian university football programs, expansion of the international media presence of the league, as well as increased investments in amateur football programs in Canada.
On November 23, 2018, the CFL and the
Professional American Football League of Mexico
A professional is a member of a profession or any person who works in a specified professional activity. The term also describes the standards of education and training that prepare members of the profession with the particular knowledge and skil ...
(LFA) signed a non-binding letter of intent on various partnerships, which included projects such as the possibility of hosting a regular season game in Mexico. On January 9, 2019, it was announced that the CFL and its franchises had committed to investing $4 million in supporting amateur football programs in Canada in 2019.
On January 31 the CFL and
German Football League (GFL) signed an agreement to form a long-term strategic partnership. The partnership included the participation of German athletes at the
2019 CFL Combine. In February 2019, the CFL reached similar agreements with the
Ligue Élite de Football Américain
The Championnat Élite Division 1 () is the top-level American football league of France. The league was founded in 1982.
History
American football was introduced to France in the early 20th century, but for decades it remained an infrequent ac ...
(France), the
Austrian American Football Federation, the Federazione Italiana di American Football (Italy), and with football officials in
Finland
Finland ( fi, Suomi ; sv, Finland ), officially the Republic of Finland (; ), is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of B ...
,
Norway
Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and t ...
,
Sweden
Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic country located on ...
and
Denmark
)
, song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast")
, song_type = National and royal anthem
, image_map = EU-Denmark.svg
, map_caption =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name = Danish Realm, Kingdom of Denmark
...
. In July, the league also partnered with the
British American Football Association
The British American Football Association (BAFA) is the national governing body for the sport of American football and non-contact Flag Football in the United Kingdom since 1985. It is affiliated to the International Federation of American Foo ...
.
New collective bargaining agreement
The five-year agreement that was ratified between the CFL and
CFL Players' Association in 2013 was set to expire just prior to the start of this season, on the first day of scheduled training camp, May 19.
On May 15 the CFL and
CFL Players' Association announced they had reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year collective bargaining agreement, which was ratified by players and approved by the league's Board of Governors a week later on May 22; four days before the first preseason game. The length of the agreement aligns with
Bell Media's media rights to the league.
The main components of the CBA included:
Financial
* $50,000 increase in the team salary cap each season. For the 2019 season, the salary cap will be $5,250,000 (average of $114,130 per active roster spot)
* The minimum salary remained at $54,000 for the 2019 season, but will increase to $65,000 in 2020 and 2021
* Players receiving a 20% share of all future revenue tied to the CFL 2.0 initiative.
* The CFL will not be allowed to withhold bonus payments in the lead up to the expiration of the new CBA
Roster composition
* Each team has one global player designated roster spot starting in 2019, increasing to two slots in 2020
* Canadian quarterbacks now count towards the national roster ratio, otherwise the national-international ratio remained unchanged
* To protect veteran American players and build continuity - three of the starting American players have to have played for their current team for at least three seasons, or four seasons in the league for any team
Player safety
* Medical coverage for up to three years for injured players
* The number of padded practices in training camp was reduced from 10 in 2018, to five in 2019 and then down to only three in 2020
Other
* Work permits for American players are open, allowing them to seek employment in Canada during the off-season
* Pending free agents may
talk with any team for nine days in advance of opening of free agency
Football operations cap
On June 5, 2018, it was reported that the CFL had approved a limit on football operations staff salaries and number of coaches and operations staff employed by each team.
In this report, the number of coaches on each team would not exceed 11 and the number of other football operations staff may not exceed 17. The total compensation of those 28 staff members would be capped at $2,738,000.
As of the
2018 CFL season
The 2018 CFL season was the 65th season of modern-day Canadian football. Officially, it was the 61st Canadian Football League season. Edmonton hosted the 106th Grey Cup on November 25, 2018. The CFL announced that this season will move to a 21- ...
, four teams had more than 11 coaches employed and would be directly impacted by these changes.
Consequently, there was talk of a potential coaches union being formed to combat the unilateral decision.
On December 6, 2018, the league formally announced the cap regulations, with the total compensation of the combined 11 coaches and 14 other football operations staff being set at $2,588,000 for 2019 and 2020.
Similar to the player salary cap, violations in excess of $100,000 would result in monetary fines and loss of draft picks. However, as teams adjust to the new rules for 2019, they may self-report violations to avoid personal fines and loss of draft picks.
Montreal Alouettes ownership
On May 31
Robert Wetenhall surrendered his ownership of the
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes (Canadian French, French: Les Alouettes de Montréal) are a professional Canadian football team based in Montreal, Quebec. Founded in 1946, the team has folded and been revived twice. The Alouettes compete in the Canadian F ...
back to the league, after having pursued a sale of the franchise for several months. The CFL intended to continue this process, but would operate the team on its behalf.
New outfitter
On September 12, 2018, it was announced that
New Era would be the official outfitter of all CFL teams beginning in the 2019 season.
This came as a result of the previous supplier,
Adidas
Adidas AG (; stylized as adidas since 1949) is a German multinational corporation, founded and headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, that designs and manufactures shoes, clothing and accessories. It is the largest sportswear manufactur ...
, not renewing their contract following the 2018 expiry of their previous deal.
New Era Cap had been a licensee of the CFL for headwear and apparel since January 2011, and it was the first time that the company provided football uniforms and sideline apparel.
While most teams maintained relatively similar uniforms, the Montreal Alouettes unveiled a revamped identity with new logos and uniforms on February 1, while the B.C. Lions returned to using their normal logo on their helmets rather than a stylized version.
Player movement
International drafts
The CFL and LFA hosted a combine in
Mexico City
Mexico City ( es, link=no, Ciudad de México, ; abbr.: CDMX; Nahuatl: ''Altepetl Mexico'') is the capital and largest city of Mexico, and the most populous city in North America. One of the world's alpha cities, it is located in the Valley o ...
on January 13 attended by 51 top Mexican players. The following day, 27 players were selected in a
CFL–LFA Draft; the Edmonton Eskimos held the first overall pick, and selected
Diego Viamontes of
Mayas CDMX
The Mayas, also called Mayas LFA or Mayas Puebla, were an American football team based in Mexico City (CDMX), Mexico. The Mayas competed in the Central Division of the Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional, the top American football league in Mex ...
.
On April 11, the CFL held its first European draft in which nine players were drafted, one to each CFL team: four of the players were from France, three from Germany, and one each from Italy and Finland.
Free agency
The
free agency period began on February 12 at noon
EST.
All players eligible for free agency are
unrestricted free agents, as is customary in the league. Notable signings in the period included:
Trade deadline
The in-season trade deadline was on October 9 at 3:59 pm EDT.
Johnny Manziel
On February 27,
Johnny Manziel
Johnathan Paul Manziel ( ; born December 6, 1992) is an American football quarterback for the FCF Zappers of Fan Controlled Football (FCF). He played two seasons with the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL) and was also a mem ...
, a quarterback for the
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes (Canadian French, French: Les Alouettes de Montréal) are a professional Canadian football team based in Montreal, Quebec. Founded in 1946, the team has folded and been revived twice. The Alouettes compete in the Canadian F ...
in 2018, was permanently banned from playing on any CFL team as a result of what the Alouettes called an unspecified "(contravention of) the agreement which made him eligible to play." Manziel has denied any wrongdoing but accepted the banishment, stating he would consider playing options in the United States; he then signed on with the
Alliance of American Football
The Alliance of American Football (AAF) was a professional American football minor league. The AAF consisted of eight centrally owned and operated teams in the southern and western United States, seven of which were located in metropolitan are ...
who were partly through their inaugural season.
Coaching changes
Rule changes
In March the CFL's Rules Committee submitted a variety of rule changes to the Board of Governors, to be implemented for the 2019 season. As had been the case in previous years the proposed changes once again focused on improving game flow and increasing player safety. The proposals were reviewed and accepted by the CFL's Board of Governors on April 10.
* Allowing the Command Centre to assist referees with called and non-called roughing-the-passer infractions including instances where an obvious roughing-the-passer infraction was not called because a referee's view was blocked.
* The ability for the Command Centre to upgrade a 15-yard roughing-the-passer penalty to a 25-yard penalty for a direct blow to the quarterback's head or neck with the helmet when that player has a clear view to the quarterback, and there are no mitigating circumstances such as a quarterback ducking his head.
* Allowing the Command Centre to assist on-field officials in calling penalties when the injury spotter has intervened in a player safety situation.
* Allowing the Command Centre to assist on-field officials with called and non-called roughing-the-kicker infractions.
* Removing the stipulation that allows a defender to contact a kicker's plant leg without penalty if the defender has touched the ball prior to contact.
* Clarifying the definition of spearing to be when a player uses the top of their helmet as the primary point of contact to deliver a blow to an opponent.
* Making the use of three or more wedge blockers on kicking plays illegal.
* Making it illegal for a defensive player to deliver a forcible blow to the long snapper while the snapper's head is down and they are in a vulnerable position and unable to protect themselves.
* Whistling a play dead any time a quarterback carrying the ball gives themselves up by sliding with any part of their body. Previously, a quarterback could only "give themselves up" by sliding feet-first.
* Coaches are entitled to a second challenge if their first is successful, giving them a potential maximum of two per game instead of just one.
* A 10-yard objectionable-conduct penalty assessed for faking or embellishing contact, otherwise known as diving.
* Spearing on any player upgraded to a 25-yard penalty by the Command Centre when a spear is delivered to the head or neck, the player has a clear view to the opponent and there are no mitigating circumstances such as the player ducking into what would otherwise be legal contact.
* If a player receives two 25-yard penalties in the same game, they are disqualified from that game.
* A kicked or thrown football remains a live ball instead of becoming a dead ball when it touches a goal-post ribbon.
Regular season
Schedule
The regular season schedule was announced on December 20, 2018, and was played over 21 weeks from June 13 to November 12, 2019. There was an increase in Saturday primetime games with 7:00 p.m. ET kickoffs, appearing in all but one week of the season. Only three games were played on Sundays, and three were played on Mondays.
Highlights of the schedule included:
* The season opener featured the
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a professional Canadian football team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Tim Hortons Fiel ...
hosting the
Saskatchewan Roughriders, with Hamilton winning 27–13. A rematch of the
106th Grey Cup
The 106th Grey Cup (branded as the 106th Grey Cup presented by Shaw for sponsorship reasons) was the Canadian Football League (CFL) championship game for the 2018 season. It was played on November 25, 2018, between the Ottawa Redblacks and the C ...
also occurred in week 1, with the
Calgary Stampeders hosting the
Ottawa Redblacks
The Ottawa Redblacks (officially stylized as REDBLACKS) ( French: Le Rouge et Noir d'Ottawa) are a professional Canadian football team based in Ottawa, Ontario. The team plays in the East Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Startin ...
.
*
Canada Day game: The Roughriders hosted the
Toronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts (officially the Toronto Argonaut Football Club and colloquially known as the Argos) are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL), based in Toronto, Ontario ...
on July 1, winning 32–7.
*
Touchdown Atlantic: On August 25, the CFL played a regular season game in
the Maritimes
The Maritimes, also called the Maritime provinces, is a region of Eastern Canada consisting of three provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The Maritimes had a population of 1,899,324 in 2021, which makes up 5.1% of Ca ...
for the first time since
2013
File:2013 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: Edward Snowden becomes internationally famous for leaking classified NSA wiretapping information; Typhoon Haiyan kills over 6,000 in the Philippines and Southeast Asia; The Dhaka garment fact ...
,
featuring the
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes (Canadian French, French: Les Alouettes de Montréal) are a professional Canadian football team based in Montreal, Quebec. Founded in 1946, the team has folded and been revived twice. The Alouettes compete in the Canadian F ...
and Toronto Argonauts. The game was presented by Schooners Sports and Entertainment (SSE), the group that is attempting to be awarded an expansion franchise as the
Atlantic Schooners
The Atlantic Schooners were a conditional Canadian Football League (CFL) expansion team that was to begin play in 1984 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. However, team ownership could not secure funding for a stadium and the franchise application was w ...
.
The location of the game was narrowed down three choices:
Halifax,
Moncton
Moncton (; ) is the most populous city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of New Brunswick. Situated in the Petitcodiac River Valley, Moncton lies at the geographic centre of the The Maritimes, Maritime Provinces. The ...
, and
Antigonish, Nova Scotia
, settlement_type = Town
, image_skyline = File:St Ninian's Cathedral Antigonish Spring.jpg
, image_caption = St. Ninian's Cathedral
, image_flag = Flag of Antigonish.pn ...
. Although SSE was expected to announce the location of the game before the end of January 2019, the announcement was not made until the end of March, at which time
Croix-Bleue Medavie Stadium
Medavie Blue Cross Stadium (french: Stade Croix-Bleue Medavie), formerly Moncton Stadium (french: Stade Moncton), is a track and field stadium on the campus of the Université de Moncton in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, built to host the IAAF 201 ...
(
Université de Moncton
The Université de Moncton is a Canadian francophone university in New Brunswick. It includes campuses in Edmundston, Moncton, and Shippagan.
The university was founded in 1963 following the recommendations of the royal commission on higher ed ...
) in Moncton was selected.
*
Labour Day Classic: Three traditional rivalry games were played over
Labour Day
Labour Day ('' Labor Day'' in the United States) is an annual holiday to celebrate the achievements of workers. Labour Day has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for ...
weekend, including the Saskatchewan Roughriders hosting the
Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats hosting the Toronto Argonauts, and the
Calgary Stampeders hosting the
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Elks are a professional Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. The club competes in the Canadian Football League (CFL) as a member of the league's West Division and plays their home games at the Brick Field at Commo ...
.
For the first time in league history, no
games
A game is a structured form of play, usually undertaken for entertainment or fun, and sometimes used as an educational tool. Many games are also considered to be work (such as professional players of spectator sports or games) or art (such ...
were played on
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in the United States, Canada, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Liberia, and unofficially in countries like Brazil and Philippines. It is also observed in the Netherlander town of Leiden and ...
.
In the late evening of August 9 at 9:06 pm
EDT, a weather delay was declared at
Percival Molson Memorial Stadium
Percival Molson Memorial Stadium (also known in French as ''Stade Percival-Molson''; commonly referred to as Molson Stadium in English or Stade Molson in French) is an outdoor football stadium in Downtown Montreal, on the slopes of Mount Royal, ...
in
Montreal
Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-most populous city in Canada and List of towns in Quebec, most populous city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian ...
due to an approaching thunderstorm with intense lightning; the Saskatchewan Roughriders were leading the Alouettes 17–10 with 2:41 left in the 3rd quarter. Because the game had not restarted by 10:06 pm EDT and over 7:30 had been played in the 3rd at that point, the 17–10 score was declared final.
Standings
''Teams in bold are in playoff positions.''
Results
Attendance
CFL Playoffs
The
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup (french: Coupe Grey) is both the championship game of the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the trophy awarded to the victorious team playing in the namesake championship of professional Canadian football. The game is contested be ...
was played at
McMahon Stadium in
Calgary
Calgary ( ) is the largest city in the western Canadian province of Alberta and the largest metro area of the three Prairie Provinces. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784 and a metropolitan population of 1,481,806, makin ...
, Alberta, on November 24. The
Winnipeg Blue Bombers won their first Grey Cup championship in
29 years, ending the longest current championship drought in the
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League (CFL; french: Ligue canadienne de football—LCF) is a professional sports league in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football. The league consists of nine teams, each located in a ci ...
.
Winnipeg native,
Andrew Harris was named both the
Grey Cup Most Valuable Player
The Grey Cup's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is awarded annually since 1959 to the player of the winning team who deemed to have had the best performance in the Grey Cup Game, the Canadian Football League's championship game. This award is prese ...
and
Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian. This was the first time that a player won both awards in the Grey Cup championship.
Playoff bracket
Award winners
CFL Top Performers of the Week
''Source''
CFL Top Performers of the Month
''Source''
[
]
2019 CFL All-Stars
Offence
*QB – Cody Fajardo
Cody Michael Fajardo () (born March 29, 1992) is an American professional Canadian football quarterback for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Nevada and was their starting quarterback fro ...
, Saskatchewan Roughriders
*RB – William Stanback
William Stanback (born July 6, 1994) is a gridiron football running back for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Virginia Union and UCF. He has also been a member of the Green Bay Packers an ...
, Montreal Alouettes
*R – Brandon Banks, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
*R – Reggie Begelton
Reggie Begelton (born August 31, 1993) is a gridiron football wide receiver for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Lamar Cardinals football, Lamar. He has also played for the Green Bay Pack ...
, Calgary Stampeders
*R – Bryan Burnham
Bryan Burnham (born April 3, 1990) is a former American professional football wide receiver who played nine seasons for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL) from 2014 to 2022. Burnham played college football at the University of Tu ...
, BC Lions
*R – Shaq Evans, Saskatchewan Roughriders
*R – Bralon Addison
Bralon Addison (born October 12, 1993) is an American gridiron football wide receiver for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Oregon. Addison has also been a member of the Denver Broncos, Ch ...
, Hamilton Tiger–Cats
*OT – Stanley Bryant
Stanley Myron Bryant (born May 7, 1986) is a Canadian football offensive lineman for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He first enrolled at Elizabeth City State University before transferring to East Carolina Univers ...
, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
*OT – Chris Van Zeyl
Chris Van Zeyl (born September 4, 1983) is a professional Canadian football offensive tackle for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is a two-time Grey Cup champion with the Toronto Argonauts and was named a CFL Al ...
, Hamilton Tiger–Cats
*OG – Shane Bergman
Shane Bergman (born February 9, 1990) is a retired Canadian football offensive lineman who played in seven seasons for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is a two-time Grey Cup champion having won in 2014 and 2018 and ...
, Calgary Stampeders
*OG – Brandon Revenberg
Brandon Revenberg (born December 16, 1992) is a Canadian football offensive lineman for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
College career
He played college football at Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State Univer ...
, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
*C – Dan Clark, Saskatchewan Roughriders
Defence
*DT – Dylan Wynn
Charles Dylan Wynn (born June 1, 1993) is a professional gridiron football defensive tackle for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Oregon State. He was previously a member of the Natio ...
, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
*DT – Almondo Sewell
Almondo Sewell (born January 16, 1987) is a professional gridiron football defensive tackle for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at the University of Akron and attended Hargrave Military ...
, Edmonton Eskimos
*DE – Willie Jefferson, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
*DE – Charleston Hughes
Charleston Hughes (born December 14, 1983) is a professional Canadian football defensive end for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was signed by the Calgary Stampeders as a street free agent in 2008 and won two ...
, Saskatchewan Roughriders
*LB – Simoni Lawrence
Simoni Lawrence (born February 1, 1989) is an American-born Canadian football linebacker for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Minnesota.
Professional career St. Louis Rams
Lawrence was ...
, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
*LB – Hénoc Muamba
Hénoc Muamba (born February 23, 1989) is a Congolese-Canadian football player who plays linebacker for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was selected first overall by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 2011 CFL Dra ...
, Montreal Alouettes
*CLB – Derrick Moncrief, Saskatchewan Roughriders
*CB – Tre Roberson
Trerein "Tre" E. Roberson (born October 22, 1992) is a professional gridiron football defensive back for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent following the ...
, Calgary Stampeders
*CB – Winston Rose, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
*HB – Greg Reid, Montreal Alouettes
*HB – Richard Leonard, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
*S – Tunde Adeleke, Hamilton Tiger–Cats
Special teams
*K – Sergio Castillo
Sergio Castillo (born November 1, 1990) is an American professional gridiron football placekicker and punter for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at West Texas A&M.
Professional career ...
, BC Lions
*P – Richie Leone
Richie Leone (born March 10, 1992) is a gridiron football punter for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played collegiate football for the University of Houston. He has also been a member of the Baltimore Ravens, Pit ...
, Ottawa Redblacks
*ST – Frankie Williams, Hamilton Tiger–Cats
''Source''
2019 CFL Western All-Stars
Offence
*QB – Cody Fajardo
Cody Michael Fajardo () (born March 29, 1992) is an American professional Canadian football quarterback for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Nevada and was their starting quarterback fro ...
, Saskatchewan Roughriders
*RB – Andrew Harris, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
*R – Bryan Burnham
Bryan Burnham (born April 3, 1990) is a former American professional football wide receiver who played nine seasons for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL) from 2014 to 2022. Burnham played college football at the University of Tu ...
, BC Lions
*R – Reggie Begelton
Reggie Begelton (born August 31, 1993) is a gridiron football wide receiver for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Lamar Cardinals football, Lamar. He has also played for the Green Bay Pack ...
, Calgary Stampeders
*R – Shaq Evans, Saskatchewan Roughriders
*R – Greg Ellingson
Greg Ellingson (born December 30, 1988) is an American professional Canadian football wide receiver for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at FIU Golden Panthers football, Florida International ...
, Edmonton Eskimos
*R – Eric Rogers, Calgary Stampeders
*OT – Stanley Bryant
Stanley Myron Bryant (born May 7, 1986) is a Canadian football offensive lineman for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He first enrolled at Elizabeth City State University before transferring to East Carolina Univers ...
, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
*OT – Derek Dennis
Derek Dennis (born July 16, 1988) is an American professional gridiron football offensive lineman for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Temple. He has also been a member of the Miami Dol ...
, Calgary Stampeders
*OG – Shane Bergman
Shane Bergman (born February 9, 1990) is a retired Canadian football offensive lineman who played in seven seasons for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is a two-time Grey Cup champion having won in 2014 and 2018 and ...
, Calgary Stampeders
*OG – Matt O'Donnell, Edmonton Eskimos
*C – Dan Clark, Saskatchewan Roughriders
Defence
*DT – Almondo Sewell
Almondo Sewell (born January 16, 1987) is a professional gridiron football defensive tackle for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at the University of Akron and attended Hargrave Military ...
, Edmonton Eskimos
*DT – Mike Moore Michael Moore is an American filmmaker and author.
Michael Moore may also refer to:
Academia
* Michael G. Moore (fl. 1970s–2020s), professor of education
* Michael S. Moore (academic) (fl. 1960s–2020s), American law professor
* Michael Moore ...
, Edmonton Eskimos
*DE – Willie Jefferson, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
*DE – Charleston Hughes
Charleston Hughes (born December 14, 1983) is a professional Canadian football defensive end for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was signed by the Calgary Stampeders as a street free agent in 2008 and won two ...
, Saskatchewan Roughriders
*LB – Solomon Elimimian
Solomon Elimimian (born October 21, 1986) is a former Canadian football linebacker and the current president of the Canadian Football League Players' Association (CFLPA).
He spent nine seasons with the BC Lions and was named the CFL's Most Outs ...
, Saskatchewan Roughriders
*LB – Larry Dean, Edmonton Eskimos
*CLB – Derrick Moncrief, Saskatchewan Roughriders
*CB – Tre Roberson
Trerein "Tre" E. Roberson (born October 22, 1992) is a professional gridiron football defensive back for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent following the ...
, Calgary Stampeders
*CB – Winston Rose, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
*HB – Marcus Sayles
Marcus Sayles (born October 1, 1994) is a professional gridiron football defensive back for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
College career
Sayles played college football for the West Georgia Wolves from 2013 to 2016. He start ...
, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
*HB – DaShaun Amos, Calgary Stampeders
*S – Mike Edem
Anie-Ebiet Michael Edem (born July 11, 1989) is a professional Canadian football defensive back for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). After the 2012 CIS season, he was ranked as the tenth best player in the Canad ...
, Saskatchewan Roughriders
Special teams
*K – Sergio Castillo
Sergio Castillo (born November 1, 1990) is an American professional gridiron football placekicker and punter for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at West Texas A&M.
Professional career ...
, BC Lions
*P – Jon Ryan
Jonathan Robert Ryan (born November 26, 1981) is a retired Canadian professional football punter. He played college football for the University of Regina Rams, and began his professional career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL) after being ...
, Saskatchewan Roughriders
*ST – Mike Miller, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
''Source''
2019 CFL Eastern All-Stars
Offence
*QB – Vernon Adams Jr., Montreal Alouettes
*RB – William Stanback
William Stanback (born July 6, 1994) is a gridiron football running back for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Virginia Union and UCF. He has also been a member of the Green Bay Packers an ...
, Montreal Alouettes
*R – Brandon Banks, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
*R – Bralon Addison
Bralon Addison (born October 12, 1993) is an American gridiron football wide receiver for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Oregon. Addison has also been a member of the Denver Broncos, Ch ...
, Hamilton Tiger–Cats
*R – Derel Walker
Derel Walker (born June 29, 1991) is a Canadian football wide receiver for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was named a CFL All-Star in 2015 and 2016 and received the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie Award in 2015. He is ...
, Toronto Argonauts
*R – Geno Lewis, Montreal Alouettes
*R – S. J. Green
Solomon H. Green III (born June 20, 1985) is a former American football wide receiver. He was signed by the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes through the negotiation list process in 2007 and played with the Alouettes for 10 seasons (f ...
, Toronto Argonauts
*OT – Chris Van Zeyl
Chris Van Zeyl (born September 4, 1983) is a professional Canadian football offensive tackle for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is a two-time Grey Cup champion with the Toronto Argonauts and was named a CFL Al ...
, Hamilton Tiger–Cats
*OT – Ryker Mathews
Ryker Mathews (born November 28, 1992) is a professional Canadian football offensive tackle of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He attended Brigham Young University and went undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft. He was later signed by the New Orle ...
, Hamilton Tiger–Cats
*OG – Brandon Revenberg
Brandon Revenberg (born December 16, 1992) is a Canadian football offensive lineman for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
College career
He played college football at Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State Univer ...
, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
*OG – Nolan MacMillan, Ottawa Redblacks
*C – Kristian Matte, Montreal Alouettes
Defence
*DT – Dylan Wynn
Charles Dylan Wynn (born June 1, 1993) is a professional gridiron football defensive tackle for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Oregon State. He was previously a member of the Natio ...
, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
*DT – Cleyon Laing, Toronto Argonauts
*DE – Ja'Gared Davis, Hamilton Tiger–Cats
*DE – John Bowman, Montreal Alouettes
*LB – Simoni Lawrence
Simoni Lawrence (born February 1, 1989) is an American-born Canadian football linebacker for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Minnesota.
Professional career St. Louis Rams
Lawrence was ...
, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
*LB – Hénoc Muamba
Hénoc Muamba (born February 23, 1989) is a Congolese-Canadian football player who plays linebacker for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was selected first overall by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 2011 CFL Dra ...
, Montreal Alouettes
*CLB – Patrick Levels, Montreal Alouettes
*CB – Tommie Campbell
Tommie James Campbell (born September 19, 1987) is an American former professional gridiron football cornerback. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
High school career
While attending Aliquippa Hi ...
, Montreal Alouettes
*CB – Delvin Breaux
Delvin Lionel Breaux (born October 25, 1989) is a former American professional gridiron football cornerback who played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and National Football League (NFL). He attended McDonogh 35 High School in New Orleans, Lo ...
, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
*HB – Greg Reid, Montreal Alouettes
*HB – Richard Leonard, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
*S – Tunde Adeleke, Hamilton Tiger–Cats
Special teams
*K – Lirim Hajrullahu
Lirim Hajrullahu ( ; born April 24, 1990) is a Kosovar-born Canadian gridiron football placekicker who is a free agent. He became a Grey Cup champion with the Toronto Argonauts after kicking the game-winning field goal in the 105th Grey Cup g ...
, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
*P – Richie Leone
Richie Leone (born March 10, 1992) is a gridiron football punter for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played collegiate football for the University of Houston. He has also been a member of the Baltimore Ravens, Pit ...
, Ottawa Redblacks
*ST – Frankie Williams, Hamilton Tiger–Cats
2019 CFL Awards
* CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award The Most Outstanding Player Award is annually awarded to the best player in the Canadian Football League. The two nominees for the award are the Terry Evanshen Trophy winner from the East Division, and the Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy winner from ...
– Brandon Banks (WR), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a professional Canadian football team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Tim Hortons Fiel ...
* CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award
The Most Outstanding Canadian Award is annually awarded to the best Canadian player in the Canadian Football League. The two nominees for the award are the Lew Hayman Trophy winner from the East Division, and the Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy winner ...
– Henoc Muamba (LB), Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes (Canadian French, French: Les Alouettes de Montréal) are a professional Canadian football team based in Montreal, Quebec. Founded in 1946, the team has folded and been revived twice. The Alouettes compete in the Canadian F ...
* CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award – Willie Jefferson (DE), Winnipeg Blue Bombers
* CFL's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award – Chris Van Zeyl
Chris Van Zeyl (born September 4, 1983) is a professional Canadian football offensive tackle for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is a two-time Grey Cup champion with the Toronto Argonauts and was named a CFL Al ...
, (OL), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a professional Canadian football team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Tim Hortons Fiel ...
* CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie Award – Nate Holley (LB), Calgary Stampeders
* John Agro Special Teams Award The John Agro Special Teams Award is presented to the CFL's Most Outstanding Special Teams player that is voted by his peers. The award is named in honour of John Agro, co-founder (in 1965) of the Canadian Football League Players' Association, with ...
– Frankie Williams (DB), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a professional Canadian football team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Tim Hortons Fiel ...
* Tom Pate Memorial Award – Rob Maver
Rob Maver (born March 12, 1986) is a retired professional Canadian football Punter, having played his entire 10-year football career with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted fifth overall by the Stampeder ...
(P), Calgary Stampeders
* Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy The Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy is presented annually to the Canadian Football League (CFL) player "
who best demonstrates the attributes of Canada's veterans in times of war, peace and military conflict." The award was first presented in 2010, a ...
– Martin Bédard
Martin Bédard (born March 23, 1984) is a Canadian football long snapper who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Previously, he played for 11 seasons and 179 games for th ...
(LS), Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes (Canadian French, French: Les Alouettes de Montréal) are a professional Canadian football team based in Montreal, Quebec. Founded in 1946, the team has folded and been revived twice. The Alouettes compete in the Canadian F ...
* Annis Stukus Trophy The Annis Stukus Trophy is a Canadian Football League trophy, which is presented annually by the Edmonton Eskimos Alumni Association to the Coach of the Year, as determined by the members of the Football Reporters of Canada. The Trophy is named afte ...
– Orlondo Steinauer
Orlondo Steinauer (born June 9, 1973) is the president of football operations and head coach for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). As a player, he played professional Canadian football as a safety for 13 seasons with ...
, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a professional Canadian football team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Tim Hortons Fiel ...
* Commissioner's Award The Commissioner's Award is presented annually by the Commissioner of the Canadian Football League to an individual or individuals who have demonstrated dedication and made a significant contribution to Canadian Football. The award was first introd ...
– Jim Lawson, chairman of the CFL's Board of Governors
* Hugh Campbell Distinguished Leadership Award – John Hufnagel
John Coleman Hufnagel (born September 13, 1951) is the president and general manager of the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He was previously the Stampeders' head coach and played quarterback for fifteen professional seasons ...
* Jane Mawby Tribute Award - Ross Folan, director of video operations, Calgary Stampeders
Broadcasting
The 2019 season marked the 11th of the CFL's exclusive Canadian media rights with Bell Media, covering TSN
TSN may refer to:
Science and technology
* Translin, DNA binding protein involved in microRNA function
* Taxonomic serial number, a stable and unique taxonomic serial number issued by the Integrated Taxonomic Information System
* The Science Netwo ...
(English) and RDS (French).
On January 14, the league renewed its U.S. broadcast deal with TSN's minority partner ESPN
ESPN (originally an initialism for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by ESPN Inc., owned jointly by The Walt Disney Company (80%) and Hearst Communications (20%). The ...
, which expired after the 2018 season; it included 20 games on ESPN's linear networks, and all remaining games carried on ESPN+
ESPN (originally an initialism for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by ESPN Inc., owned jointly by The Walt Disney Company (80%) and Hearst Communications (20%). The ...
. Prior to renewing with ESPN, it had been speculated that the league was courting NFL Network, which carried the league's games in 2010 and 2011; that network requested a significant change in the schedule that would have moved the season opener to an earlier date in order to secure carriage, which the league indicated could not happen without a new CBA. The league also entered a deal with MVS Comunicaciones which saw MVS broadcasting a CFL ‘Game of the Week’ beginning with the Week 1 of the regular season through until the end of the regular season on November 2.
The league continued to make games available to fans outside of major broadcast areas via CFL Game Pass, a service that streamed games over the internet to regions not covered by major broadcasters. In partnership with Yare Media, the CFL internet streaming service added a number of new territories. Additional countries included Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, New Zealand, Peru and all of Africa.
References
{{CFL seasons
Canadian Football League seasons
2019 in Canadian football