BROXTON: "It's coming back full circle. It's great"

It was a winding road that brought him back to Winnipeg six years later, with his decision to sign back with the Blue Bombers as a free agent after a handful of seasons with the B.C. Lions leading now to him being named the CFL's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.

Broxton’s teammate and the most decorated offensive lineman in league history, Stanley Bryant – a four-time winner of the award, broke the news in a team meeting. The moment is part of the CFL’s refreshed approach to recognizing award winners in lieu of a traditional awards ceremony, offering fans a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the people and stories behind the statistics and accomplishments.

"It's a blessing," said Broxton after practice Wednesday. "It just reminds me of all the work I put in in the offseason, coming in with a new team, learning off the people that are here, the new coaches... it's a blessing.

"Coming into the season everyone has a personal goal and, of course, I want to prove that I could be the best lineman in the league. But the Grey Cup trumps the individual awards. Like I said, it's a blessing to be noticed this year.

"It's a wild story," added Broxton on initially signing here in 2020 and returning six years later. "It's kind of like it was meant to happen, that I was meant to be here. It's coming back full circle. It's great."

Broxton's win marks the 11th time a Blue Bomber has been named the CFL's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman, including Bryant (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022), Dave Mudge (2001), Chris Walby (1987, 1993), Nick Bastaja (1985), John Bonk (1984), Larry Butler (1981). As well, two other Blue Bombers won the CFL's Most Outstanding Lineman award -- both defensive and offensive linemen were eligible from 1958-73) -- in Frank Rigney (1961) and Herb Gray (1960).

As part of a revamped awards process, every player who received a vote for team awards advanced to the final ballot for the corresponding CFL Award. The finalists were voted on by the same pool of local members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) who determined team award winners, as well as national members of the FRC. In total, 52 votes were counted with Broxton receiving 14 first-place votes -- double the next highest finalist in Montreal's Nic Callender -- seven second-place votes and four third-place votes for 92 points.

Broxton switched from left tackle in B.C. -- where he was the named the Lions top lineman in each of the last few years -- to right tackle this season here in Winnipeg. He finished with the highest grade among O-linemen according to Pro Football Focus, allowing just two sacks and 13 pressures this season, while also helping Brady Oliveira capture another rushing title.

"He really boosted this group for us," Oliveira said. "When we signed him in free agency, I remember talking to him through the whole process and when we brought him on board it was going to be a huge boost. "Just seeing what he's done for us... I call him the 'Silent Assassin' because he doesn't really say much but it's his work ethic and how he attacks the day and his level of play. You turn on the tape and he's physical, he's a specimen, he's massive, he's moving guys in the run game, he's blocking guys in the pass game. "He's just really good. And he's also just really good dude."