S.J. Green is a surefire Canadian Football Hall of Famer.
Green has been in the CFL since 2007 and produced a spectacular resume: 10,000 career receiving yards; seven 1,000-yard campaigns; three Grey Cup championships; and two league all-star selections.
The six-foot-three, 215-pound specimen developed a chemistry with Anthony Calvillo and earned his role as the No. 1 target during a dominant era of Montreal Alouettes football. Green could line-up anywhere on the field and get open — boundary-side receiver and every other spot across to the strong side. When at his best, Green could beat defensive backs over the top or adeptly using his body to high-point the football and keep it away from prying hands.
During the second week of the 2016 CFL season, Green shredded his knee — his medial collateral ligament (MCL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus were all torn. Many coaches, talent evaluators and pundits believed it was the end of his decorated career. However, Jim Popp still had faith.
After Popp was hired as Argonauts’ general manager on April 20, 2017, he sent a sixth-round pick plus an additional selection to Montreal and brought Green to Toronto. Green set a new single-game career high with 210 yards during that regular season on the way to a single-season career-best 1,462 yards and 10 touchdowns on 104 receptions. The tandem of Ricky Ray and Green played a key role in the Argos’ unlikely Grey Cup title in 2017.
During three seasons in double blue, Green posted at least 1,000 yards every year. Despite the production, there was little to no interest from CFL teams to sign the University of South Florida product during following the 2019 season, which is why the 35-year-old isn’t higher on the CFL top 100 rankings.
He’s had a rare career, although the rankings are based on current ability — his skills aren’t near his prime. Through 170 CFL games, Green sits 15th all-time in receiving yards (10,222) and 12th in receptions (716) with 60 touchdowns — many of the highlight reel variety — in his illustrious career.
It’s one of a kind and earned Green a spot among the CFL’s elite.
3DownNation is unveiling its list of the top 100 active CFL players, a project that will run through December 31, 2020. To read the criteria for player eligibility, click here. The list to date can be found below.
95. DB Mike Edem, Saskatchewan Roughriders
96. DL John Bowman, Montreal Alouettes
97. DB Taylor Loffler, Montreal Alouettes
98. QB Nick Arbuckle, Ottawa Redblacks
99. ST Mike Miller, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
100. DE Chris Casher, B.C. Lions
