Veteran joins élite class of CFL stars to have gained crew’s management award twice
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Derek Wiggan isn’t huge on shiny lights.
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However the Calgary Stampeders defensive star is giant on doing his job and main his crew each on and off the sphere, which he’s accomplished properly sufficient to be named the membership’s Presidents’ Ring winner for the second straight CFL season.
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So the veteran lineman would relatively simply slip in quietly and step out rapidly from all of the centre-stage stuff that comes with being on honoured by his teammates.
“I don’t want a highlight,” mentioned the soft-spoken Wiggan, after studying of the accolade Tuesday. “I wish to make performs and reside as much as excessive requirements I set for myself, however I don’t want all of the lights and cameras in motion, proper?
“Like I need us as a crew to achieve success, and I pour my coronary heart into this crew,” continued the 31-year-old. “Once we lose, I take it fairly exhausting — I’ve a tough time sleeping at night time. The award’s good, however so long as we win, that’s the principle factor for me.”
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With Wiggan, it appears the Stampeders (6-11) — who subsequent swimsuit up for his or her regular-season finale on Friday night time towards the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (13-4) at McMahon Stadium (7 p.m., TSN, QR Calgary FM) — have a greater probability to win.
In any case, the regular d-lineman is as constant as they arrive on the membership.
Wiggan is a seven-year veteran who has performed 137 profession regular-season and post-season video games for the Purple and White. He has began all 17 video games at deal with this season and tied his profession excessive with 4 sacks. The 6-foot-1, 303-lb. Toronto native additionally has 15 tackles, together with a deal with for a loss.
“I simply type of do my factor,” Wiggan mentioned. “The character my place is you simply type of do soiled work, and that’s type of my factor.
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“I present as much as the stadium on the identical time, type of deal with each sport prefer it’s a model new week and don’t get too excessive and don’t get too low — simply type of be even-keel. I’ve been right here some time, so I type of know the way that entire season course of is. Guys ask me, ‘OK, what about this example or that scenario?’ I simply hold that each one in perspective. I believe the blokes admire type of like my view on issues.”
They definitely appear to since he joins an élite class of Stampeders to have gained the crew award on a number of events.
The checklist shouldn’t be lengthy of others with multiple Presidents’ Ring — which has been offered yearly since 1967 to the Stampeders participant who finest demonstrates excellence on and off the sphere for his or her in-game contributions, management, inspiration and motivational expertise as voted by the gamers.
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In actual fact, Wiggan turns into the sixteenth participant to have earned it no less than a second time.
Henry Burris, Danny Barrett and Stu Laird every gained the award on three events, whereas Wiggan joins the group of two-time recipients that features Rob Cote, Keon Raymond, Jay McNeil, Alondra Johnson, Wayne Harris, Allen Pitts, Lloyd Fairbanks, Bernie Morrison, Ed McAleney, James Sykes, Willie Burden and Jerry Keeling.
“It’s fairly humbling,” Wiggan mentioned. “Not many guys get voted for it twice, so it’s simply good that the blokes consider me in that mild.
“I simply attempt to be the identical dude day by day, so it’s good to be appreciated.”
Wiggan has been a dude — particularly a defensive stalwart — since being chosen by the Stamps with the thirty fourth general choose within the 2014 CFL Draft.
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The Queen’s College alumnus is without doubt one of the Stampeders’ captains this season and can be the crew’s consultant for the CFL Gamers Affiliation.
Wiggan has performed 127 profession regular-season video games for the Stamps, accumulating 159 tackles — together with 13 for a loss — 19 sacks, three compelled fumbles, one fumble restoration, one interception and two cross knockdowns. He has additionally appeared in 10 post-season contests and was a member of the Gray Cup-championship crew in 2018.
“Corey Mace, Junior Turner, Micah Johnson, Charleston Hughes, Shawn Lewon, Freddie Bishop, Juwan Simpson — when he was a participant — Nik Lewis, Jon Cornish — when he was right here — Bo Levi Mitchell … the checklist goes on and on and on,” mentioned Wiggan of former teammates he realized from in changing into a veteran Stamps star. “Coaches-wise, Wealthy Stubler, DeVone Claybrooks, Brent Monson … the checklist goes on and on. So it’s similar to I’ve realized from everyone, so that they’re all a part of my journey.”
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Now, others are studying from Wiggan, a two-time Presidents’ Ring winner.
“I congratulate Derek for as soon as once more being named the winner of this prestigious award,” added Stampeders president John Hufnagel. “That is additional proof of how a lot he’s revered and valued by his teammates and can be very extremely regarded by the Stampeders’ teaching workers and administration. Derek is definitely one of many pillars of our crew each on and off the sphere.”
SHORT YARDAGE
OL Sean McEwen, the Stamps centre, is a first-time father. Him and his higher half, Stephanie, welcomed daughter Olivia into the world earlier this week. “He’s a dad,” mentioned Stamps GM/head coach Dave Dickenson. “And all the things’s wholesome.” … LB Brandon Dozier (pulled muscle) bought banged up within the win and didn’t practise early this week, however Dickenson hopes the strong-side linebacker is prepared for Friday’s sport. “Muscle pulls within the chilly climate are harder,” Dickenson mentioned. “With the sphere circumstances and the colder climate, I believed it was sensible to not have him (or different injured gamers) on the market.” … With yet one more win, the Stamps grow to be the primary crew in Canadian soccer to amass 700 victories, utilizing the creation of the Interprovincial Rugby Soccer Union (the forerunner to the CFL’s present East Division) in 1907 and the Western Interprovincial Soccer Union (precursor of the modern-day West Division) in 1936 as CFL-recognized beginning factors.
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