"Rider Nation, I thank you all": Rolan Milligan Jr. named CFL's best defensive player

11/16/2024 12:32 PM

In a half-century since the CFL first presented its Most Outstanding Defensive Player award, only two recipients have emanated from the secondary.

Both decorated defensive backs were brought to the league by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Jovon Johnson, who debuted in Canadian professional football with the Green and White in 2007, was with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers when he captured MODP honours in 2011.

Rolan Milligan Jr., who joined the Roughriders a decade later, became the latest recipient when the CFL awards were handed out on Thursday night in Vancouver.

"Rider Nation, I thank you all," the 30-year-old defensive halfback said during his acceptance speech. "I wouldn't be the player I am without your love and support."

Milligan Jr. became the third Roughrider to win the award, which was established in 1974.

Add Milligan Jr. to an exclusive fraternity that also includes Jearld Baylis (1993) and John Chick (2009).

Baylis and Chick are among 23 defensive linemen to have been named the MODP.

The lengthy list of luminaries also includes 25 linebackers and, now, two defensive backs.

Milligan Jr. was deployed as a linebacker — essentially a coverage assignment, on the strong side — upon joining the Roughriders in October of 2021.

That year, he suited up for Saskatchewan in its regular-season finale and in both post-season games.

He moved to defensive halfback to begin the 2022 season and quickly became a star in the secondary.

Milligan Jr. enjoyed a strong start to the 2023 campaign, registering two interceptions and a game-changing tackle for a loss over the Roughriders' first four games.

In the fourth game, however, he suffered a toe injury that proved to be season-ending when surgery was required.

He returned with a flourish in 2024, recording a league-high eight interceptions and also finishing among the leaders in special teams tackles (20).

On Thursday night, Milligan Jr. humbly thanked several key individuals — including his wife and "backbone," Samantha.

"Without her, I wouldn't be able to be who I am as a player, a father and a husband," said Milligan Jr., a father of four. "I wouldn't be me."

The newly crowned MODP also thanked his parents (Earnest and Faye), his grandmother, his trainer (Dimitri Lindsay) and various members of the Roughriders organization.

Head Coach Corey Mace was commended for "the belief he had in me to be the guy that I am for our team, for our defence. I appreciate him for believing in me and holding me to that standard."

Milligan Jr. also acknowledged Defensive Backs Coach and Pass Game Co-ordinator Joshua Bell for "unlocking a completely different player than I was in previous seasons. I thank him for unlocking my mind and allowing me to flourish and have the season that I've had."

As well, words of appreciation were extended to "all my teammates who believe in me every day, who push me to be the leader I am, who push me to be the player that I am. I appreciate you all and I love you all."

With 35 votes, Milligan Jr. finished 14 ahead of the runner-up, Montreal Alouettes linebacker Tyrice Beverette.

Milligan Jr. is under contract through the 2025 season. He was signed to an extension this past January by Vice-President of Football Operations and General Manager Jeremy O'Day.

Milligan Jr., Mace (Coach of the Year) and Logan Ferland (Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman) were the Roughriders' awards finalists on Thursday.

The Toronto Argonauts' Ryan Hunter was named the top offensive lineman. He received 40 first-place votes, compared to 16 for Ferland.

Montreal's Jason Maas took home Coach of the Year honours, edging Mace 30-26.

As well, Saskatoon-born Roughriders long snapper Jorgen Hus received the Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Award.

The award was created in 2010 in honour of former CFL Commissioner Jake Gaudaur, a distinguished Second World War veteran.

Each year at the CFL Awards, a presentation is made to a national player who embodies the attributes that were possessed by Gaudaur and are associated with Canada's veterans — strength, perseverance, courage, comradeship and contributions to Canadian communities.

"It's definitely an honour to receive this awesome award," Hus told the audience.

"I feel like there's a bunch of guys on our team who could easily receive this as well, so I'm definitely honoured to get it."

Hus is the third Roughrider in a row to win the Gaudaur trophy, following centre Dan Clark (2022) and receiver Brayden Lenius (2023).

Roughriders linebacker Mike McCullough was the inaugural winner in 2010. Saskatchewan fullback Graeme Bell was honoured two years later.

The CFL's other award winners were:

• Brady Oliveira, Winnipeg (George Reed Most Outstanding Player; Most Outstanding Canadian).

• Janarion Grant, Toronto (Most Outstanding Special Teams Player).

• Nick Anderson, Edmonton Elks (Most Outstanding Rookie).

• Adam Bighill, Winnipeg (Tom Pate Memorial Award).

• Amar Doman, B.C. Lions (Commissioner's Award).

• Carolyn Cody, B.C. (Jane Mawby Tribute Award).

• Stephen Shamie, CFL legal counsel (Hugh Campbell Distinguished Leadership Award).