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Rueben Mayes

Rueben Mayes

From small-town Saskatchewan to NFL Rookie of the Year: A Canadian success story

2000

Reuben Mayes first gained notoriety as a running back at North Battleford Comprehensive High School in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Mayes then played for Washington State Cougars where he became All American and finished among the top 10 in Heisman Trophy balloting.

Mayes set single-season and career-rushing records (1,632; 3,519 yards) with the Cougars, and established an NCAA record for most rushing yards in one game (357 vs. Oregon in 1984).

Mayes was drafted in the third round of the 1986 draft by the NFL’s New Orleans Saints. He proceeded to win the NFL offensive rookie of the year award that year, and was featured in Sports Illustrated. Although the rest of his NFL career was hampered by injuries, he was named to the Pro Bowl twice.

In total Mayes played four seasons with the Saints before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks for the final two years of his career.

After football, Mayes became active in efforts to better educate at-risk youth. He would later earn a master's degree and return to Washington State University as an administrator.