It didn’t take long for Chase Claypool to make NFL history in his young professional career.
The native of Abbotsford, B.C. capped his rookie season on Sunday by catching five passes for 101 yards and one touchdown in a 24-22 loss to the Cleveland Browns. He’s finished the year with 62 receptions for 873 yards and nine touchdowns, all of which rank among the best all-time seasons by a Canadian NFL receiver.
The No. 1 Canadian receiving season in NFL history is Nate Burleson’s performance with the Minnesota Vikings in 2004. The Calgary native made 68 receptions for 1,006 yards and nine touchdowns, which remains the lone 1,000-yard NFL receiving season by a Canadian player.
Claypool was also involved in Pittsburgh’s run game this year, recording ten carries for 16 yards and two touchdowns. His single-season total of 11 touchdowns tied Burleson’s Canadian record from 2007 with Seattle when he scored as a receiver nine times and a returner twice.
Burleson is now a popular NFL analyst who expressed high expectations for the rookie heading into 2020. He called Claypool “the next great wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers” in September before he’d scored his first touchdown.
Claypool made history a number of times this season. He became the first receiver in the Super Bowl era to score ten touchdowns in his first ten games and scored the longest NFL touchdown ever by a Canadian-born player at 84 yards.
Mapletron was named Pittsburgh’s Rookie of the Year and his 62 receptions on the season tied the team’s all-time rookie record.
Here’s how Claypool’s rookie season ranks among other Canadian greats.
Top five NFL seasons by a Canadian — receptions
1. Nate Burleson — 73, 2011
2. Nate Burleson — 68, 2004
3. Nate Burleson — 63, 2009
4. Chase Claypool — 62, 2020
5. Austin Collie — 60, 2009
Top five NFL seasons by a Canadian — receiving yards
1. Nate Burleson — 1,006, 2004
2. Chase Claypool — 873, 2020
3. Nate Burleson — 812, 2009
4. Tommy Kane — 776, 1990
5. Tommy Kane — 763, 1991
Top five NFL seasons by a Canadian — touchdowns scored
T-1. Nate Burleson — 11, 2007
T-1. Chase Claypool — 11, 2020
3. Nate Burleson — 10, 2004
T-4. Austin Collie — 8, 2010
T-4. Rueben Mayes — 8, 1986
