Rueben Mayes, who has a long list of standards by which Canadian running backs are measured in the NFL, is hoping Chuba Hubbard can set the bar even higher.
In 1986, Mayes became the first Canadian to rush for more than 1,000 yards in an NFL season, running for a career-high 1,353 yards (over 16 regular season games) as a New Orleans Saints rookie.
On December 8, Hubbard became the second Canadian to surpass the 1,000-yard plateau and needs 159 yards in the Carolina Panthers’ final two regular season games to surpass Mayes’ single-season record.
“I’m rooting for him to do that,” Mayes said. “I did what I did 38 years ago, and I take a lot of pride in that because I was the first (as a Canadian) to do it.
“But now it’s Chuba’s time. 1,353 yards is definitely within reach, and I think Canadians should be really proud to have a homegrown player doing that on such a big stage. The most important thing is to stay healthy and have an opportunity, but Chuba is in a position to do that.”
Sask., now 61 years old. Mayes, a North Battleford native, played in the NFL with New Orleans (1986-90) and Seattle (92-93), rushing for 3,484 yards (4-yard average) with 23 touchdowns. He was the NFL’s top offensive rookie in 1986, made the Pro Bowl twice (1986, ’87), and was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 2004.
Hubbard, 25, of Sherwood Park, Alta., has some work to do to surpass Mayes.
Carolina (4-11) closes out the season on the road against division rivals Tampa Bay (8-7) and Atlanta (8-7). The team is tied for the lead in the NFC South and still has a chance to make a run.
Additionally, Tampa Bay’s defense ranks 10th against the run (104 yards per game), just ahead of Atlanta (111.9).
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“He’s going to have to make money,” Mayes said. “These two teams are good running teams. I learned from the game that teams with a good running game are good at running. Because that’s what they practice.
“But I’m going to track down where he is. It’s really fun and exciting to be involved with another running back.”
Hubbard rushed for 152 yards in Carolina’s 36-30 overtime win over Arizona on Sunday, eliminating the Cardinals from playoff contention. Hubbard also scored two TDs, including the game-winner in overtime on a 21-yard run.
This brings Hubbard’s season total to 1,195 yards (4.8 yard average) with 10 TDs. Last month, Hubbard signed a four-year contract extension worth $33.2 million.
Carolina selected Hubbard in the fourth round of the ’21 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State.
Mayes is currently the director of regional partnerships and philanthropy at Seattle Children’s Hospital. He and his wife of 37 years, Marie, have two sons, Logan (a senior financial analyst at Amazon) and Kellen (a third-year medical student at the University of Washington).
Mayes says he hasn’t felt any effects since playing football.
“Honestly, I feel so blessed,” Mayes said. “I’ve had two surgeries, one after football and one after surfing. I tore the cartilage in my right knee, I ski a lot and hurt my shoulder once, but I’m fine now.
“I inherited good genes from my father and mother. My father is 93 years old. “I have so much life left to live, so I’m just grateful.”
New Orleans selected Mays in the third round of the ’86 NFL Draft after a standout career at Washington State. A two-time Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year (1984-85) and a shared All-American (’84), Mayes set single-season (1,632) and career (3,519) rushing records, then NCAA single-record records. also erected. -Game rushing yards (357 yards vs. Oregon in 1984).
During his junior year, Mayes finished 10th in voting for the Heisman Trophy, awarded annually to the outstanding player in American college football. He was inducted into the University Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.
“My mindset when I played was always to be the best,” Mayes said. “I wanted to be the best running back in the NFL.
“I remember meeting one of my idols, Walter Payton, in person during training camp with the Chicago Bears. Whether in North Battleford, Sherwood Park or Toronto, Chuba could be the best in the NFL and that would be very exciting.
“That’s always been my mindset, even today. I just pursue it.”
© 2024 The Canadian Press
