Toronto Argonauts’ kick returner Javon Leake has been named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player for the 2023 CFL season, winning the vote by a margin of 45 to 16 over B.C. Lions’ kicker Sean Whyte.
The 25-year-old returned 81 punts for 1,216 yards and four touchdowns, 38 kickoffs for 793 yards, and three missed field goal returns for 34 yards. He led the CFL in punt returns yards, punt return average (min. 20 attempts), and total kick return touchdowns. He was named an East Division all-star and CFL all-star.
The six-foot, 205-pound ball-carrier signed with the Argos last season following stints with the New York Giants, Washington Football Team, and Detroit Lions. In his final collegiate season at the University of Maryland, he was named the Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year as well as first-team All-Big Ten.
Voting was conducted by 61 national members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC).
