Ottawa Redblacks’ defensive players Abdul Kanneh and Avery Williams along with Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira have been named the CFL’s top performers for Week 1 of the 2021 season.
The three players were chosen by a panel of judges comprised of former CFL players Matt Dunigan and Duane Forde of TSN, as well as Pierre Vercheval of RDS, who independently send their selections to the CFL head office.
DB | ABDUL KANNEH | OTTAWA REDBLACKS
Kanneh played a vital role in the teams’ 16-12 victory over the Edmonton Elks.
He made his mark in the second half with three crucial plays. First, in the third quarter Kanneh tracked a ball intended for receiver Shai Ross, jumped with full extension and came down with his first interception of the season.
With Ottawa trailing by three points in the fourth quarter, Trevor Harris attempted to find Ross for a short gain. He bobbled the catch, allowing Kanneh to snatch the football and return it all the way for a 102-yard pick-six, which gave Ottawa their first and only lead of the game. It also marked his first career touchdown in the CFL.
To add to the prolific night, Kanneh made the game-saving tackle to end the contest on the one-yard line.
The New Mexico Highlands product registered six tackles in the game as well. With his two interceptions, Kanneh now has 16 during his seven-year career in the league.
LB | AVERY WILLIAMS | OTTAWA REDBLACKS
Williams was also named a top performer after a great performance in the Redblacks win over Edmonton.
He led all players in Week 1 after wrapping up 14 tackles, a career-high. It also marked his third career game with 10-plus tackles in the CFL.
The former Temple Owl was also able to get to the quarterback when he took down Harris in the first quarter for a six-yard loss.
In 29 career games, the Baltimore, MD native has accumulated 126 defensive tackles, three sacks and three forced fumbles.
RB | BRADY OLIVEIRA | WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
In his first career start playing for his hometown team, Oliveira had a night to remember.
In the Blue Bombers 19-6 win over the Tiger-Cats, Oliveira rushed 22 times for a league-high 126 yards in Week 1. The North Dakota product added one reception for 21 yards.
In his third-career game, Oliveira had four rushes of 10-plus yards and averaged 5.7 yards per carry.
The Bombers selected Oliveira in the second round, 14th overall during the 2019 CFL Draft and the Winnipeg product earned a spot on the opening day roster. Unfortunately, his 2019 season came to an end a week later in the Bombers home opener when he suffered a season-ending broken leg injury.
