Cornish wins CFL's top Canadian honour

Calgary Stampeders' Jon Cornish dances with the Stampeders cheer leaders after scoring the running touchdown against the Edmonton Eskimos during the fourth quarter of the CFL football game in Edmonton, Alta., on Friday, Sept. 7, 2012. (The Canadian Press/John Ulan)

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The Canadian Press
Published Thursday, November 22, 2012 8:25PM EST
Last Updated Thursday, November 22, 2012 8:31PM EST

TORONTO -- A record-breaking season earned Jon Cornish the CFL's top Canadian award.

The six-foot, 217-pound Calgary Stampeders running back received the honour Thursday at the CFL awards banquet.

Montreal Alouettes linebacker Shea Emry was a finalist for the award in voting conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada and the eight CFL head coaches.

Cornish, a native of New Westminster, B.C., is also a finalist for the CFL's outstanding player award with Toronto's Chad Owens.

Cornish led the CFL in rushing with 1,457 yards, becoming the first Canadian to do so since Orville Lee achieved the feat in '88 with Ottawa.

Cornish also broke Norm Kwong's 56-year-old record for most rushing yards in a season by a Canuck of 1,437.

Emry, a native of Richmond, B.C., had a career-best 87 tackles this season with seven sacks with Montreal.

The CFL awards are sponsored by Gibson's Finest.