Key Points:
- Punt Return Prodigy: Set a new franchise record with four touchdowns.
- League Leading Returns: Amassed 1,216 punt return yards.
- Argonauts’ Special Talent: Fourth from the team to win this award.
Javon Leake, the dynamic running back and punt returner for the Toronto Argonauts, has been distinguished as the CFL’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player for the 2023 season. This significant recognition was announced during the CFL Awards, integral to the Grey Cup Festival, which spanned an eventful week from November 13-19 in Hamilton.
Leake’s performance on special teams was nothing short of exceptional this season. He led the CFL with four punt return touchdowns, setting a new franchise record and coming tantalizingly close to the league record. His skill as a returner was further underscored by his impressive 1,216 punt return yards, the third highest total in CFL history. Leake also demonstrated remarkable consistency and threat on the field, leading the league with 14 long gainer ‘big’ play returns.
Receiving 45 first-place votes, Leake’s achievements mark him as the fourth Argonaut to win this award, and the first since Swayze Waters in 2014. His contributions were not just a series of individual highlights but were pivotal in numerous game-changing moments throughout the season.
Leake’s recognition as the Most Outstanding Special Teams Player is a testament to his exceptional talent, hard work, and the significant impact he has had on the Argonauts’ success this season. His record-setting performance in 2023 not only adds a remarkable chapter to his career but also highlights the critical role of special teams in Canadian football.
