Rueben Mayes

Rueben Mayes (born June 6, 1963) is a Canadian former American football running back who played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) from 1986 to 1993. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame for his contributions while playing for the Washington State Cougars football team.

Early life and high school

He first gained notoriety as a running back at North Battleford Comprehensive High School in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. In 1980 Mayes led the NBCHS Vikings to an undefeated season and the SHSAA 3A Provincial Football championship. In 1981 he set a provincial record in the 100 metre race at the SHSAA provincial track and field championship that still stands.

College career

Mayes played for the Washington State University Cougars, where he was recognized as a consensus All-American and finished tenth in the Heisman Trophy race. 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). That record remains the Pacific-10 Conference record.

In 1995, a panel of experts commissioned by The Spokesman-Review named Mayes to the all-time WSU team. The honor was repeated in 1998 by Cougfan.com when it picked its list of the school's all-time greatest players. May 1, 2008 was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.

Professional career

He was drafted in the third round of the 1986 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. He proceeded to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award that year from the Associated Press. Although his NFL career was hampered by injuries, he was named to the Pro Bowl twice. Mayes played five seasons with the Saints before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks for the final two years of his career.

Later life

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. He is now the regional director of development for Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene, Oregon, where he lives with his wife Marie and his two sons Kellen and Logan Mayes. His son Logan is a three-star recruited linebacker at Marist Catholic High School in Eugene Oregon. He committed to play at Washington State University, following his father's footsteps. He is one of the only four Saskatchewan natives to make it to the NFL, the other three being Arnie Weinmeister, Jon Ryan, and Brett Jones. Mayes was the subject of a 1989 documentary film, The Saint from North Battleford, directed by Selwyn Jacob.

Statistics

• Stats that are highlighted show career high