Calgary Stampeders' Corey Mace earns Presidents Ring

Calgary Stampeders defensive lineman Corey Mace poses after winning the 2014 CFL Grey Cup, on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014. (Jimmy Jeong/The Canadian Press)

CALGARY -- The Calgary Stampeders players have singled out teammate Corey Mace for his contributions in a championship season.

The defensive tackle from Port Moody, B.C., was the recipient of the Presidents' Ring, a team award presented annually for performance on and off the field.

"This is for me, something I've been keeping an eye on myself and voted on in year prior," Mace said Tuesday at McMahon Stadium. "It is voted on by your teammates and to have that respect from your brothers in the locker-room, that's truly important."

Mace had a tackle in the Grey Cup game and an "extremely important sack that was a game-changer," Stampeders president Gordon Norrie said, to help Calgary to a 20-16 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The six-foot-three 286-pound defensive lineman recorded 11 tackles, a sack and had a 10-yard fumble recovery that set up a touchdown over his 12 starts last season. Mace also knocked down a pass in the West Division final.

"This man's play is reflected in the Stamps' great numbers in stopping the run," Norrie said.

Mace, 29, suffered season-ending injuries in the season-openers in 2011 (Achilles tendon) and 2013 (torn labrum). He was also sidelined six games in 2014 with injuries. The Stampeders signed Mace to a contract extension in January.

A healthy 2012 had him starting all 18 games. He recorded 25 tackles that season with a sack, a pass knockdown and a pair of forced fumbles. Mace even scored on a one-yard touchdown reception against B.C.

The Stampeders acquired Mace's rights from the Toronto Argonauts in the middle of the 2010 season.

Mace started a holiday turkey and ham drive two years ago for food banks and charitable groups. In 2013, he launched Mace's Faces, which allows 15 at-risk youth to attend every home game.

Previous winners of the award, established in 1967, include quarterbacks Henry Burris and Danny Barrett, receiver Allen Pitts, defensive back Keon Raymond and running back Rob Cote.

"You take a good look at that trophy and those names on that list, there are guys who have walked away from the game and are very successful post-career," Mace said. "The guys I've seen pick up the award since I've been here, Hank's still playing. Cote and Keon, those guys are going to have successful careers also after they leave.

"Hopefully I'm another one of those guys who walks away with a Stampeder horse on his back and rides into the next career."