OK, it’s time Willie Jefferson gets the love he deserves around the CFL.
Yes, Charleston Hughes has 15 sacks and leads the way. It’s an outstanding season for the longtime CFL veteran in his first year with the Roughriders, however, he isn’t the best player on the defensive side of the ball.
Willie Jefferson is the straw that stirs the drink. Every team game plans for Willie Jefferson. Two, sometimes three guys, are tasked to try to stop Jefferson from getting to the quarterback. Why do you think Charleston Hughes gets so many one-on-one matchups?
It’s because the attention is on the other side of the line. Green Zone game day analyst Belton Johnson calls him ‘The Freak of Nature’ for his athletic talents.
And so when the CFL on TSN puts out the list of candidates for the Most Outstanding Player and Willie Jefferson isn’t on it. I think it needs to be stated loudly. Willie Jefferson is the Riders MOP this season and maybe the best player in the Canadian Football League. He is definitely at the top in terms of defenders.