Key moments from Tevaughn Campbell that stole the spotlight in the 112th Grey Cup

I always enjoy the couple of days after a championship game, when the dust settles and we can look back on what really happened. During the post-game celebrations, with confetti falling and emotions running high, everything feels immediate and overwhelming. We’re thrilled for Trevor Harris, excited about the potential of Davis Alexander, and trying to calculate how much sleep we can squeeze in before Monday morning arrives.

One thing that stuck with me from the 112th Grey Cup was just how many legitimate candidates there were for Most Valuable Player. And to be clear, this isn’t leading into any “they chose the wrong MVP” argument — far from it. Trevor Harris fully deserved the award. Still, as CFL.ca’s Kristina Costabile highlighted, several Saskatchewan Roughriders delivered standout performances on Sunday.

Among those players, Tevaughn Campbell absolutely deserves recognition. Can you really fault him for aggressively jumping that route after already picking off Davis Alexander earlier in the quarter? On that play, Campbell showcased the athleticism that defies the old joke about defensive backs not being able to catch. He elevated as high as he could, breaking away from his man at just the right moment to snag the errant pass. It was equal parts instinct and pure physical ability.

That interception set up Saskatchewan’s final points of the night — a 48-yard field goal that stretched their lead to 25–7. No one knew it then, but Brett Lauther’s kick turned out to be crucial.

THE FORCED FUMBLE
This Grey Cup provided so many standout performances that you could build a case for multiple players being decisive. That alone shows how much the game truly embodied football’s reputation as the ultimate team sport. Yet one name absolutely needs to be part of the story: cornerback Tevaughn Campbell.

He wasn’t flawless, but he was at the centre of nearly every defining moment that pushed the Roughriders to their 25–17 win. These are the three key moments that stood out.

THE TOUGH TIMES
Late in the third quarter, with Saskatchewan ahead 25–7, Campbell tried to land a knockout blow with another interception that he hoped to return for a touchdown. But covering Tyson Philpot one-on-one in open space is a brutally difficult task, and Philpot made him pay. Campbell jumped the route, missed the ball and the tackle, and Philpot turned a second-and-five into a 22-yard gain.

Two plays later, Campbell was flagged for pass interference on Tyler Snead, grabbing the receiver as he tried to shake free on a double move toward the end zone. It’s the type of penalty that prevents a touchdown, but also the kind where you hope the officials don’t notice. Snead had leverage, and Campbell got caught.

THE INTERCEPTION
Before we get to the deciding play, it’s worth acknowledging how well Shea Patterson had been performing in short-yardage situations. If Tommy Stevens didn’t exist, Patterson might be viewed as one of the CFL’s best in that role.

Now let’s revisit the moment that will forever define the end of the 2025 season. With just over three minutes remaining, Montreal seemed destined to score. Down 25–17, having already punched in a similar touchdown earlier, the Alouettes appeared poised to tie the game. All momentum was on their side — until it suddenly wasn’t.

At the snap, Campbell collided with fullback Jacob Mason. Despite giving up roughly 20 pounds, Campbell not only held his ground but drove Mason backward and into Patterson. That impact jarred the ball loose, sending it straight into the arms of Marcus Sayles. In a single instant, Tevaughn Campbell flipped a near-certain touchdown into the most significant defensive play of the entire game.

To be clear, Trevor Harris undeniably earned the Grey Cup MVP — his long CFL journey has finally reached its peak. But Tevaughn Campbell’s story is remarkable in its own right. After spending six seasons in the NFL and not playing in the CFL since 2018 with Montreal, he returned this year, earned All-CFL honours, and then made the defining play of the Roughriders’ championship run.