The Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award is annually awarded to the best defensive player in the Canadian Football League. The winner of the award is selected by members of the Football Reporters of Canada along with the head coaches in the CFL. The two nominees for the award are the James P. McCaffrey Trophy winner from the East Division, and the Norm Fieldgate Trophy winner from the West Division. Between the years of 1955 to 1973, both defensive players and offensive lineman had to compete for the CFL's Most Outstanding Lineman Award. By the 1974 season, the league decided to make two separate awards for both defensive players and offensive lineman. This is the third-last award to be given during the CFL Awards banquet, which takes place the week before Grey Cup weekend in the same c