Former NFL running back Rueben Mayes is being inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.
The 58-year-old was born in North Battleford, Sask. and attended high school there before embarking on a prolific career at Washington State University. He rushed for 3,519 yards and 23 touchdowns over 44 games with the Cougars and was named the Pac-10 Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons (1984-1985).
Mayes was a third-round pick of the New Orleans Saints in the 1986 NFL Draft and had a sensational rookie season, rushing for 1,353 yards and eight touchdowns and being named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. He made the Pro Bowl that season and did so again the following year after rushing for 917 yards and five touchdowns.
The five-foot-eleven, 201-pound ball carrier was eventually traded to the Seattle Seahawks in April 1992 and retired following the 1993 season. He finished his career with 866 carries for 3,484 yards and 23 touchdowns along with 57 receptions for 401 yards.
Mayes was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame in 2014.
The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame includes a number of well-known retired football players including Gull Lake, Sask. native Roger Aldag, Central Butte, Sask. native Ron Atchison, Regina native Gerry James, and legendary Roughriders’ quarterback Ron Lancaster.
