The 10 years of Ottawa REDBLACKS history have produced many highlights, celebrations, and memorable moments. For the fans, the players on the field have become idols, important figures in the community, and in some cases, close friends.
In celebration of the REDBLACKS’ All-Decade game on August 24th, members of the media were given the opportunity to vote on who they believed earned a spot on the All-Decade Team, and now, you’ll find out who made the list. Today we reveal the offensive backfield.
Quarterback – Henry Burris
Without a shadow of a doubt, everyone knew Henry Burris was the only person fit to be the REDBLACKS’ All-Decade quarterback. Joining the franchise in the inaugural season, Burris immediately became a fan favourite, bringing legitimate star power to the nation’s capital.
Though the REDBLACKS finished the 2014 season 2-16, Burris was determined to reward the team and the city for their belief in his abilities, leading the club to back-to-back Grey Cup appearances in 2015 and 2016, winning the 104th Grey Cup with a performance of a lifetime, despite nearly missing the game entirely with a knee injury.
Burris claimed the league’s Most Outstanding Player award in 2015, throwing for 5,683 yards, and earned the Grey Cup MVP in 2016. In just three seasons with the REDBLACKS, Burris threw for 11,830 yards, the second-highest mark in franchise history.
Running back – William Powell
Across two stints with the REDBLACKS, William Powell gave the offence a new ability to move the football on the ground. His first stint is what has earned him a spot on this list, however, using 2017 and 2018 to become a marquee name in the CFL.
Powell’s first CFL season in 2015 came with limited touches, though he managed nearly 450 yards in his debut season. He missed the entirety of 2016 with an injury, but in 2017, Powell had his coming out party. It resulted in his first 1,000-yard season, and in 2018, he exploded, romping for a franchise-record 1,363 yards. In both seasons, he was named an East All-Star.
Powell rejoined the REDBLACKS in 2022, adding another 306 yards to his Ottawa accomplishments, winding up with 14 touchdowns in red and black.
Fullback – Patrick Lavoie
If you don’t think fullbacks are important, you’ve never met Patrick Lavoie in a big game. Lavoie spent four seasons with the REDBLACKS between 2014 and 2017, hauling in 796 yards worth of receptions in his time.
In both the 2015 and 2016 Grey Cup Games, Lavoie made perhaps his biggest contributions in the CFL, catching a touchdown in both games, and winning a ring in Toronto in 2016.
There was never the hype surrounding Lavoie that the other two guys on this list got, but make no mistake, he played a key role in bringing winning football back to Ottawa.
