By Mitchell Blair
For Riderville.com

Ecstatic, excited and humbled. That is how John Chick is feeling after being named Wednesday as the Western Nominee for CFL Defensive Player of the Year. The 26-year-old will look to become the first Rider since Jerald Baylis in 1993 to be named the league’s top defensive player. He will go up against Montreal’s Anwar Stewart in the final.

“There are definitely a lot of guys out there who worked as hard as I did and had very good years, “the soft-spoken Chick said Friday afternoon.” I’m very honored to receive the recognition.”

2009 was a great year for Chick, who impressed many in his rookie season of 2007, before falling victim to the injury bug in 2008. He recorded 32 tackles, 11 quarterback sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries on the season

Chick wasn’t at Mosaic Stadium when the announcement was made. He was home sick.
“I was at home laying in bed when I received a text message saying congratulations,” said Chick. I was very excited about it, but I will admit I rolled over and went back to sleep after finding out, as I needed a couple of days rest to get rid of whatever was bothering me.”

Rest easy Rider fans, Chick says he is back at 100 percent and he is ready to resume preparations for the Western final against either the Edmonton Eskimos or Calgary Stampeders. It won’t be known until Sunday night who the Riders will play in the Western final, but Chick says it doesn’t matter to him who the opponent is.
“I can’t say one way or another who I want to win,” says the Utah State grad. “I’m just excited that the winner has to come to our place next weekend.”

Coach Ken Miller feels those that voted Chick as the Western Nominee for the award made the right choice. When asked his thoughts on the recognition, the reply from Miller was a simple one.
“Its fabulous,” Miller told reporters. “He’s very deserving.”

Defensive co-ordinator Gary Etcheverry is also very proud of Chick. Etcheverry telling the Leader-Post’s Ian Hamilton that Chick is more than what you see from the numbers he put up.
“With some of the things that we see him do, though they're not associated with some of the traditional statistics, he's an overpowering force in many ways,” said Etcheverry. “He’s a real load for anyone going against him.”

That’s a statement that most offensive linemen in the CFL likely agree with.