Another chapter has been added to a remarkable CFL comeback story.
Larry Dean, who missed the entire 2021 season after suffering a torn Achilles’ tendon in a pre-training-camp workout, is an All-Star for the fourth time.
Dean was named to the West Division’s dream team on Thursday, alongside two Saskatchewan Roughriders teammates — returner Mario Alford and punter Adam Korsak.
“It’s a blessing, first and foremost, just to be acknowledged,” Dean said on Thursday. “I’m definitely appreciative of the opportunity.”
As a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Dean made the East Division’s All-Star team in 2017 and 2018. In the latter season, he was also named the East’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
After signing with Edmonton as a free agent, Dean became a first-time West All-Star in 2019.
A two-year hiatus followed, due to the COVID-influenced cancellation of the 2020 CFL season and the aforementioned Achilles’ injury — from which he has rebounded in spectacular style.
On Thursday, Dean referenced “the journey that I’ve been on to get back to this point” and the difficult questions a player inevitably asks himself after a serious injury.
“You’re thinking, ‘Are you ever going to be that same calibre of player?’ ” he reflected. “To be back at this (level) — the full circle — there’s some significance to it.”
In 2022, Dean amassed 101 defensive tackles, a total he increased by three this past season. Factor in the 106 stops he made for Hamilton in 2018 and he is one of only seven players in CFL history to register 100-plus defensive tackles in three or more seasons.
Success of that description often leads to personal accolades, such as All-Star recognition — the downside for Dean being that a consummately team-oriented individual is put in a position where talking about himself is part of the routine.
“Honestly, it’s a little uncomfortable,” he said. “I accept the award, but on behalf of my teammates and the coaching staff.
“We’re all pieces of the puzzle and sometimes certain pieces of the puzzle have more of the spotlight than others, but we all work together for a common goal. Without them doing their job, I’m not able to do my job.”
In addition to hitting triple digits in tackles, Dean recorded two sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble in 2023 en route to becoming the second-oldest Roughriders defensive player to make an All-Star team. Charleston Hughes was approaching 36 when he was recognized as an All-Star defensive end in 2019. Dean turned 35 on Aug. 7.
There are 11 instances of a Roughriders offensive or special teams player making an All-Star team at an age exceeding that of Dean.
Roger Aldag was an All-Star at 36 (in 1989), 37 (1990) and 38 (1991).
Gene Makowsky, also an offensive lineman, was an All-Star at 35 (2008), 36 (2009) and 37 (2010).
Ron Lancaster was the West’s All-Star quarterback at 37 (1975) and 38 (1976).
George Reed had just turned 36 when, in 1975, he was honoured as the West’s All-Star fullback for the 10th time.
Jeremy O’Day, at 35, was the West’s All-Star centre in 2010.
Jon Ryan was nearing his 38th birthday when, in 2019, he was decorated as the West’s All-Star punter after registering the highest average yards per punt (48.8) in Roughriders history.
As a first-year Roughrider in 2023, Korsak boasted the team’s second-best average (47.9) in a single season.
Ryan and Korsak are among three All-Star punters in Roughriders history. The first one was Ken Clark, in 1982 — five years after a punter was first included on the West squad.
Since a special teams player spot was added to the All-Star team in 1986, the Roughriders have been represented three times — by returners Corey Holmes (2002, 2005) and Alford (2023).
Holmes was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player in 2002 and 2005. Alford received that award in 2022, when Winnipeg Blue Bombers returner Janarion Grant was the West’s All-Star special teams player.
Alford had a league-high four return touchdowns in 2022. He followed up with three more scores this season.
In 2023, he tied the Roughriders’ record for punt return touchdowns in a season (three), matching the output of Willis Jacox (1991) and Curtis Mayfield (1999).
Alford and Mayfield are the only Roughriders to score two punt-return touchdowns in one game. Mayfield accomplished that feat against the visiting Blue Bombers on Sept. 5, 1999. Alford twice went the distance on July 15 against the Calgary Stampeders at Mosaic Stadium.
Alford, Mayfield and six other players share the CFL’s single-game record for punt return touchdowns.
Edmonton’s Henry (Gizmo) Williams had three such games (in 1987, 1991 and 1993). The list also includes Ron Howell (1959) and Earl Winfield (1993), both of Hamilton, and the Montreal Alouettes’ Keith Stokes (2002).
