Expect Burris to hit 60,000 vs. Blue

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This article was published 23/10/2015 (3977 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Henry Burris is just eight passing yards shy of 60,000 for his CFL career.

His next completion, or the one after that, will move him into elite company, as he would join Anthony Calvillo and Damon Allen as the only pivots to reach the mark in the CFL.

Burris currently leads the CFL with 4,735 yards passing and, should that hold, he would become only the second Ottawa quarterback in league history to accomplish that feat. The last was Russ Jackson in 1969 (3,461 yards). There’s more: Burris is also trying to become the oldest player to lead the league in passing yards in a season at 40 years, six months. Montreal’s Anthony Calvillo was 39 years, three months old when he was tops in 2011 and Ron Lancaster the second-oldest at 39 years, one month in 1977.

BUCKNOR HONOURED: The Bombers announced Friday Matt Bucknor is this year’s Ed Kotowich Good Guy Award winner, recognizing the player for “excellence in combining football ability, team camaraderie, and extraordinary effort in the community.”

“I take pride in being involved in the community,” said Bucknor. “It’s kinda cool to be honoured, but that’s not why I do it. I looked at the history of the award and the other recipients and that’s pretty big company.”

Kotowich was a member of the Bombers from 1955-61, playing in three Grey Cup games, being named a Western all-star and a member of the Tommy Lumsden Award as the Bombers’ outstanding Canadian Player.

After retiring he worked with the Winnipeg Rods and minor football programs in Winakwa and Windsor Park, served as an alderman and worked on a number of community boards.

The award has been presented annually since 1987.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPEdTait