The Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award is annually awarded to the best defensive player in the Canadian football League. The winner of the award is selected by members of the Football Reporters of Canada along with the head coaches in the CFL.https://www.cfl.ca/gibsons Gibsons Finest Player Awards The two nominees for the award are the James P. McCaffrey Trophy winner from the East Division, and the Norm Fieldgate Trophy winner from the West Division. Between 1955 and 1973, both defensive players and offensive lineman had to compete for the CFL's Most Outstanding Lineman Award. By the 1974 season, the league decided to make two separate awards for both defensive players and offensive lineman.
CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award winners
2025 – Mathieu Betts (DE), BC Lions 2024 – Rolan Milligan (DB), Saskatchewan Roughriders 2023 – Mathieu Betts (DE), BC Lions 2022 – Lorenzo Mauldin (DE), Ottawa Redblacks 2021 – Adam Bighill (LB), Winnipeg Blue Bombers 2020 – season cancelled – covid 19 2019 – Willie Jefferson (DE), Winnipeg Blue Bombers 2018 – Adam Bighill (LB), Winnipeg Blue Bombers 2017 – Alex Singleton (LB), Calgary Stampeders 2016 – Solomon Elimimian (LB), BC Lions 2015 – Adam Bighill (LB), BC Lions 2014 – Solomon Elimimian (LB), BC Lions 2013 – Chip Cox (LB), Montreal Alouettes 2012 – J.C. Sherritt (LB), Edmonton Eskimos 2011 – Jovon Johnson (DB), Winnipeg Blue Bombers 2010 – Markeith Knowlton (LB), Hamilton Tiger-Cats 2009 – John Chick (DE), Saskatchewan Roughriders 2008 – Cameron Wake (DE), BC Lions 2007 – Cameron Wake (DE), BC Lions 2006 – Brent Johnson (DE), BC Lions 2005 – John Grace (LB), Calgary Stampeders 2004 – Anwar Stewart (DE), Montreal Alouettes 2003 – Joe Fleming (DT), Calgary Stampeders 2002 – Elfrid Payton (DE), Edmonton Eskimos 2001 – Joe Montford (DE), Hamilton Tiger-Cats 2000 – Joe Montford (DE), Hamilton Tiger-Cats 1999 – Calvin Tiggle (LB), Hamilton Tiger-Cats
1998 – Joe Montford (DE), Hamilton Tiger-Cats 1997 – Willie Pless (LB), Edmonton Eskimos 1996 – Willie Pless (LB), Edmonton Eskimos 1995 – Willie Pless (LB), Edmonton Eskimos 1994 – Willie Pless (LB), Edmonton Eskimos 1993 – Jearld Baylis (DT), Saskatchewan Roughriders 1992 – Willie Pless (LB), Edmonton Eskimos 1991 – Greg Battle (LB), Winnipeg Blue Bombers 1990 – Greg Battle (LB), Winnipeg Blue Bombers 1989 – Danny Bass (LB), Edmonton Eskimos 1988 – Grover Covington (DE), Hamilton Tiger-Cats 1987 – Greg Stumon (DE), BC Lions 1986 – James "Quick" Parker (DE), BC Lions 1985 – Tyrone Jones (LB), Winnipeg Blue Bombers 1984 – James "Quick" Parker (DE), BC Lions 1983 – Greg Marshall (DE), Ottawa Rough Riders 1982 – James "Quick" Parker (LB), Edmonton Eskimos 1981 – Danny Kepley (LB), Edmonton Eskimos 1980 – Danny Kepley (LB), Edmonton Eskimos 1979 – Ben Zambiasi (LB), Hamilton Tiger-Cats 1978 – Dave "Dr. Death" Fennell (DT), Edmonton Eskimos 1977 – Danny Kepley (LB), Edmonton Eskimos 1976 – Bill Baker (DE), BC Lions 1975 – Jim Corrigall (DE), Toronto Argonauts 1974 – John Helton (DT), Calgary Stampeders
References
https://www.cfl.ca/page/more_player_awards_odef Most Outstanding Defensive Player
See also Norm Fieldgate Trophy James P. McCaffrey Trophy CFL's Most Outstanding Lineman Award