At the end of the annual Gray Cup, two individual player awards are presented: Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Canadian. For those unfamiliar with the process, here's how these prizes are awarded.
According to Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) President Jeff Hamilton, seven voters vote each year. Two voters are selected from both markets represented in the game, then three are selected from different regions of the country.
Voters are asked to complete their ballots by the five-minute mark of the fourth quarter. They can choose individuals outright or include a clause depending on the outcome of the game. For example, a voter might indicate on his ballot that Player A will receive his vote if Team A wins, and Player B will receive his vote if Team B wins.
In the event of a tie, the FRC President is tasked with casting the casting vote if he or she is present in the press box. If the FRC President is not present in the press box during a game, a tiebreaker will determine in advance another member of the executive branch.
The last tie was in 2022 between linebacker Henok Muamba and quarterback Chad Kelly, Hamilton said. Muamba eventually won both awards after making three tackles and an interception in the Toronto Argonauts' 24-23 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.
Voters are announced at the FRC Canadian Football Hall of Fame media induction breakfast, held annually on Gray Cup Sunday morning. The event is usually streamed online, although this year's event did not take place due to technical problems.
The Most Valuable Player award was first presented at the 47th Gray Cup in 1959, and the Canadian Most Valuable Player award was first presented in 1971.
For reasons that are unclear, no Gray Cup MVP was selected from 1963 to 1966. From 1974 to 1990, two Gray Cup MVPs were selected – one forward and one defenseman.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders defeated the Montreal Alouettes in the 112th Gray Cup at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, 25-17.
Trevor Harris was named MVP after he completed 23 of 27 pass attempts for 302 yards, winning his first Gray Cup as a starter. Samuel Emilus was named Most Valuable Canadian after he had 10 catches for 108 yards and only two completions, failing to set a Gray Cup record.
