Calgary Stampeders running back Jon Cornish is the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player for 2013. Cornish, who was also named the league’s Most Outstanding Canadian earlier in the evening, was presented with the honour at the CFL Player Awards ceremonies on Thursday night in Regina.

Cornish is the first Canadian to win the MOP award since Tony Gabriel in 1978. Russ Jackson, who earned the honour in 1963, 1966 and 1969, is the only other Canadian to be named the league’s top player.

Cornish won his second consecutive rushing title this past season as he ran for 1,813 yards, the fourth-highest total in CFL history. He also led the league and set a new franchise record with 2,157 yards from scrimmage. Cornish led all running backs with an average of 7.0 yards per carry and was tops in the CFL this season with 14 touchdowns. 

His spectacular season featured nine 100-yard games — including five in a row to tie a franchise record — and a career-best 208-yard effort on Oct. 5 against Winnipeg. He won nine weekly CFL awards in 2013 as well as four monthly honours.

Six others Stampeders have won the Most Outstanding Player award — Henry Burris in 2010, Dave Dickenson in 2000, Doug Flutie in 1992, 1993 and 1994, Willie Burden in 1975, Peter Liske in 1967 and Lovell Coleman in 1964.