Trey Vaval Shines at CFL Awards with Double Honors

Trey Vaval emerged as a standout star at the Canadian Football League’s Most Outstanding Player Awards, held during Grey Cup week. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers kick returner and cornerback made a memorable entrance, accepting two prestigious honors—CFL’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player and Most Outstanding Rookie. Dressed sharply in a white vest complemented by black and white sunglasses, Vaval’s night at the Club Regent Event Centre marked a highlight of the awards and the entire season.

Reflecting on his journey, Vaval shared the challenges he faced leading to this moment. “Last year I wasn’t even on a team,” he stated during the awards ceremony. “I was just at home with my family working out and waiting on an opportunity.” Signed on February 14, 2024, after a stint with the Atlanta Falcons, Vaval captivated Blue Bombers fans with his electrifying performances throughout the season.

Vaval led the CFL with four kick return touchdowns—two from kickoffs, one from a punt, and another from a missed field goal. He also topped the league in punt return yardage and missed field goal return yardage, finishing fifth in kickoff return yardage. His impressive 391 yards on missed field goal returns established a new record for the Blue Bombers, with his 128-yard return against Ottawa in September marking the longest in the club’s history.

On August 1, during a home win against Toronto, Vaval made history by becoming the first player in Blue Bombers history to return both a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns in the same game. His remarkable achievements led him to become only the third Blue Bomber to win two CFL Most Outstanding Player Awards in a single season, joining the ranks of Brady Oliveira and Albert Johnson III.

Vaval’s ascension in the CFL was unexpected. Initially, he entered training camp as a candidate for cornerback, having demonstrated kick return capabilities during his college career at Minnesota State and Missouri Western State. The Blue Bombers had also signed Peyton Logan, a proven return specialist, creating a competitive landscape. However, when Logan suffered an injury early in training camp, Vaval seized the opportunity to showcase his talent.

His pivotal performance came during the game against Ottawa, where the Blue Bombers secured a 26-18 victory despite only accumulating 54 yards passing. Vaval’s spectacular 128-yard missed field goal return was crucial to that win. “When I caught it, I was actually kinda scared because I was still deep in the end zone,” Vaval recalled. “I thought, ‘I’m about to get tackled deep in our zone and my coaches and my teammates are going to be f’in pissed.’”

Discussing his rookie season, Vaval emphasized the supportive environment cultivated by the Blue Bombers. “It’s the team, the family environment,” he explained. “We just love each other. We have fun every day. We didn’t feel like we were going to work—this was fun as hell.” He credited his teammates and coaches, including Mike O’Shea and Jordan Younger, with creating a culture that made it easy to play hard for one another.

As Vaval prepares for the next season, his remarkable journey from uncertainty to recognition serves as an inspiring narrative in the world of professional sports. The Blue Bombers and their fans eagerly anticipate what the future holds for this promising athlete.