In only a few months since arriving in Edmonton, Manny Arceneaux has dedicated himself to the community with the passion of someone that has spent their whole life in the community. The Green and Gold wideout was presented with the David Boone Award during the Edmonton Elks Annual Dinner at The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium on Monday. Named for the late Edmonton defensive lineman, a CFL All-Star who spent countless hours helping the less fortunate, the David Boone Award is presented annually to the Elks’ player that best displays the characteristics on the field and in the community that Boone stood for. “Being that there are (dozens) of guys on the team, to have the support of those within the organization to think I should even receive the award means a lot, especially when it’s my first year with the organization,” says Arceneaux, a veteran of 150 CFL regular season games. “I’ve been in the league a while, but just to come up to Edmonton and still have a presence, on and off the field, that’s huge to me.” Arceneaux served as a guest coach for minor football teams like the Edmonton Mustangs, coached at Chuba Hubbard’s free youth football camp, and runs a youth speed and agility camp at Turf Training Centre. He will be leading a camp as part of the upcoming youth Elks Experience with the Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta, and involved with the TELUS #EndBullying campaign to make the digital space a safe place for kids. “We always say the youth is the future so why not invest in our youth, give them the tools and the resources needed to be successful and help them build confidence?” Arceneaux says. “Every time we go to events, signing autographs, taking photos, that goes a long way. As athletes, we don’t think much of it, but you don’t know if that kid is dealing with bullying or dealing with something at home or dealing with confidence. But when they get around the players, whether it’s a fist bump or its an autograph, you brighten that kid’s day.” After being out of the CFL since 2019, Arceneaux charted a comeback when the former member of the B.C. Lions and Saskatchewan Roughriders signed with the Elks prior to the 2022 season. In 10 games with the Elks, the two-time CFL All-Star has 33 receptions for 456 yards, including 201 yards after catch (YAC), with one touchdown. He has caught 80.5% of his targets, one of the best rates in the CFL this season. “It’s not a pay cheque for me. This is my livelihood but going out there and competing … is why I’m still playing,” says Arceneaux, 35. “I play with a purpose when I’m out there on the field.” Previous David Boone Award Winners 2005 – Jason Maas 2006 – Ed Hervey 2007 – Dan Comiskey 2008 – Patrick Kabongo 2009 – Patrick Kabongo 2010 – Graeme Bell 2011 – Aaron Fiaconni 2012 – Mathieu Bertrand 2013 – Grant Shaw 2014 – Calvin McCarty 2015 – Ryan King 2016 – Grant Shaw 2017 – Adarius Bowman 2018 – Ryan King 2019 – Matt O’Donnell