Smilin’ Hank, a.k.a. Henry Burris, has done it again.
The Ottawa REDBLACKS quarterback, who turns 41 next June, has been named the CFL’s top player of October, the second time Burris has garnered the monthly award this season.
Burris is having a career season. The Temple grad has completed an astounding 453 passes and has a shot at setting the CFL record for the most completions in one season (479), set by Ricky Ray in 2005 while he played for the Edmonton Eskimos.
Burris’ 453 completions ranks fifth on the all-time CFL list for completions in one season, behind Ray’s 479, Anthony Calvillo with 472 (2008), Doug Flutie with 466 (1991) and Kent Austin with 459 (1992).
Already, Burris has surpassed Calvillo into second place on the all-time CFL list for career completions (4,423), trailing Allen who had 5,158.
Burris began October with a performance for the ages on the month’s first day, completing a league-record 45 passes at TD Place during a victory over the Montreal Alouettes. He also set a career high with 504 passing yards in that game.
In his last five games, Burris has completed an average of 30 passes and 345 yards in each and has helped his team to four wins over that span.
The REDBLACKS are 11-6 heading into the final game of the regular season on Saturday against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at TD Place. A victory would set an all-time record for most wins in a season by any Ottawa CFL club, and would also clinch first place in the CFL East Division and a bye into the Eastern Final, which would be held at TD Place on Sunday, November 22.
Regardless of this weekend’s outcome, Ottawa clinched a home playoff game at TD Place during last Sunday’s 12-6 win in Hamilton.
Tickets for a REDBLACKS home playoff game at TD Place are available here, or by calling 613-232-6767, x1.
