Grey Cup champion McEwen named CW Football Alum of the Month

Sean McEwen (61) is the CW Football Alum of the Month for November 2017. Photo credit: Johany Jutras, Toronto Argonauts.
Sean McEwen (61) is the CW Football Alum of the Month for November 2017. Photo credit: Johany Jutras, Toronto Argonauts.

Evan Daum, Canada West Communications

Highlights:

  • Toronto Argonauts offensive lineman Sean McEwen is the Canada West Football Alumnus of the Month for November, after helping the Argos to the 105th Grey Cup
  • In just his second CFL season, the former Calgary Dino was the CFL East Division's Outstanding Offensive Lineman for 2017 and a division all-star
  • After every month of the CFL campaign, CW honours a former player now excelling professionally for one of the CFL's nine member clubs

EDMONTON – Sean McEwen's dream sophomore season in the CFL couldn't have ended any better, as the Toronto Argonaut offensive lineman hoisted the Grey Cup Sunday in Ottawa. 

The anchor of Toronto's o-line this season at centre, the former Calgary Dino was key in a tense 27-24 win over the Calgary Stampeders on a cold, snowy night in the nation's capital. The win marked the 17th title for the Argos franchise and first since 2012.

In recognition of his outstanding season, in which he was a division all-star and named the CFL East Division's Outstanding Offensive Lineman, McEwen is the Canada West Football Alumnus of the Month for November. The win marks the second time McEwen has won the award after previously capturing it in September 2016. 

A veteran of five seasons with the Dinos, McEwen won three Hardy Cups (2011, 2012, 2013) before being drafted third overall by the Argos in the 2015 CFL Draft. After returning to the Stampede City for his final season of university eligibility in the fall of 2015, McEwen has gone on to become a mainstay for Toronto. 

The Calgary, Alta. product played in all 18 games for the Argos as a rookie in 2016 and this season appeared in every one of Toronto's games, including both the East Division Final against Saskatchewan and the 105th Grey Cup versus the Stamps.

McEwen and the rest of the offensive line played a major role in helping Toronto quarterback Ricky Ray become the first QB in CFL history to win four Grey Cup titles. Aided by his offensive line, Ray finished second in the CFL with 5,546 passing yards – the second highest in his illustrious career.

CANADA WEST IN THE 105TH GREY CUP

A total of 16 former Canada West football players were members of the Argonauts and Stampeders Grey Cup week, with 11 of the 16 players dressing in the biggest CFL game of the season. 

Former University of Manitoba standout and current CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie handed out the Grey Cup for the first time, with a total of six CW players-turned-Argos getting their hands on the iconic Canadian trophy.

CW GREY CUP CHAMPIONS – TORONTO ARGONAUTS (6 CW alums)

NAME / POSITION / HEIGHT / WEIGHT / CW SCHOOL 

Linden Gaydosh / DT / 6'4 / 298 / 26 / Calgary Dinos

Sean McEwen / OL / 6'3 / 297 / 24 / Calgary Dinos

Robert Woodson / DB / 6'0 / 197 / 22 / Calgary Dinos

Anthony Coombs / RB / 5'9 / 199 / 25 / Manitoba Bisons       

Evan Foster / DE / 6'1 / 245 / 26 / Manitoba Bisons (PR)

Jimmy Ralph / WR / 5'10 / 185 / 25 / Alberta Golden Bears

 

PREVIOUS CANADA WEST FOOTBALL ALUMS OF THE MONTH

2017 CFL Season 

MONTH

PLAYER

CW TEAM

CFL TEAM

JUNE

REC - Nic Demski

Manitoba Bisons

Saskatchewan Roughriders

JULY

RB - Anthony Coombs

Manitoba Bisons

Toronto Argonauts

AUGUST

LB - Sam Hurl

Calgary Dinos

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

SEPTEMBER

WR - Jimmy Ralph

Alberta Golden Bears

Toronto Argonauts

OCTOBER

OL - Brendon LaBatte

Regina Rams

Saskatchewan Roughriders

 

2016 CFL Season

MONTH

PLAYER

CW TEAM

CFL TEAM

JULY

REC - Anthony Parker

Calgary Dinos

Calgary Stampeders

AUGUST

DB - Taylor Loffler

UBC Thunderbirds

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

SEPTEMBER

OL - Sean McEwen

Calgary Dinos

Toronto Argonauts

OCTOBER

DB - Mike Edem

Calgary Dinos

BC Lions

NOVEMBER

RB - Kienan LaFrance

Manitoba Bisons

Ottawa REDBLACKS