Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Henry Burris takes part in a team practice session in Winnipeg, Man., Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015. Burris is a nominee for the CFL’s most outstanding player.JONATHAN HAYWARD/The Canadian Press
Henry Burris is the CFL's outstanding player.
The Ottawa RedBlacks quarterback received the honour Thursday night at the CFL awards banquet, receiving 71 of 75 first-place ballots in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada.
Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell of the Calgary Stampeders was the finalist.
Burris, 40, posted a CFL-record 481 completions this year and led the league in passing with 5,703 yards in collecting his second career outstanding player award. He won his first in 2010 while with Calgary.
Burris also helped Ottawa (12-6) engineer an amazing turnaround, finishing atop the East Division standings after winning just two games in its inaugural 2-14 campaign.
This season, Burris had twice as many TD passes (26) as interceptions after throwing more picks (14) than touchdowns (11) last year.
Mitchell, the MVP of last year's Grey Cup game, completed 65.6 per cent of his passes and finished second to Burris in passing yards.
Ottawa receiver Brad Sinopoli is the outstanding Canadian. The native of Peterborough, Ont., was honoured received 47 of 75 first-place ballots. Defensive end Jamaal Westerman of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers was the finalist.
Rick Campbell of the RedBlacks is the coach of the year. Campbell received 54 of 75 first-place ballots. Chris Jones of the Edmonton Eskimos was the award finalist. Campbell guided Ottawa to first place in the East Division with a 12-6 record after winning just twice in Campbell's first season as head coach.
Edmonton Eskimos receiver Derel Walker won the CFL's top rookie award. He received 66 of 75 first-place ballots. Toronto Argonauts receiver Vidal Hazelton was the finalist.
Kick returner Brandon Banks of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats is the CFL's top special-teams performer. Banks received 54 of 75 first-place ballots. Calgary Stampeders kicker Rene Paredes was the finalist.
Adam Bighill of the B.C. Lions is the CFL's top defensive player. Bighill received 46 of 75 first-place ballots. Linebacker Simoni Lawrence of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats was the finalist.
SirVincent Rogers of the Ottawa Redblacks is the CFL's top lineman. Rogers received 58-of-75 first-place ballots. Jovan Olafioye of the B.C. Lions was the finalist.