Mathieu Betts of the B.C. Lions named CFL’s top defensive player

NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. — Mathieu Betts of the B.C. Lions was named the CFL’s top defensive player Thursday night.

Betts was honoured during the CFL awards banquet at Fallsview Casino & Resort.

The six-foot-three 250-pound defensive lineman had a CFL-high 18 sacks, which was also the most ever by a Canadian.

Betts, from Montreal, also had a career-best 44 tackles (three for a loss), three fumbles and a blocked punt.