Long the standard by which Canadian running backs are measured in the NFL, Rueben Mayes hopes Chuba Hubbard can raise the bar even higher.
In 1986, Mayes became the first Canadian to rush for over 1,000 yards in an NFL season, throwing for a career-best 1,353 yards (in 16 regular season games) as a rookie. New Orleans Saints.
On December 8, Hubbard became the second Canadian to pass the 1,000-yard mark and needed 159 yards in the Carolina Panthers’ final two regular-season games to surpass Mayes’ single-season mark.
“I encourage him to do it,” Mayes said. “I did what I did 38 years ago and being the first (Canadian) to do it, I feel a lot of pride.
“But now it’s Chuba’s time. That (1,353 yards) is definitely within his reach and I think Canadians should be really proud to know that there’s a local player doing that on a big stage like that. The main thing is to stay healthy and get opportunities, but Chuba is able to do that.
Now 61, Mayes, of North Battleford, Sask., played in the NFL with New Orleans (1986-90) and Seattle (92-93), totaling 3,484 rushing yards (average of four yards) with 23 touchdowns. He was the NFL’s top offensive rookie in 1986, made the Pro Bowl twice (1986, 1987) and was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 2004.
Hubbard, 25, of Sherwood Park, Alta., has work to do to surpass Mayes.
Carolina (4-11) finishes its season on the road against division rivals Tampa Bay (8-7) and Atlanta (8-7), who are tied atop the NFC South and still have plenty to play for.
Additionally, Tampa Bay’s defense is ranked 10th against the run (104 yards per game) just ahead of Atlanta (111.9).
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“He’ll have to earn it,” Mayes said. “They’re both good running teams and I’ve learned through playing that teams that have good running games are good against the run because that’s what they practice.
“But I’ll follow where he is.” It’s kind of fun, kind of exciting to engage in that with another running back.
Hubbard is coming off a 152-yard rushing performance in Carolina’s 36-30 overtime win over Arizona on Sunday that eliminated the Cardinals from the playoffs. Hubbard also scored two touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime on a 21-yard run.
This brought Hubbard’s season total to 1,195 yards (4.8 yard average) with 10 touchdowns. Last month, Hubbard signed a four-year contract extension worth $33.2 million.
Carolina selected Hubbard in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State.
Mayes currently serves as regional manager of partnerships and philanthropy at Seattle Children’s Hospital. He and his wife of 37 years, Marie, have two sons, Logan (a senior financial analyst for Amazon) and Kellen (a third-year medical student at the University of Washington).
Mayes says he has no lingering effects after playing football.
“I’ve been so blessed, honestly,” Mayes said. “I had several surgeries after football, including one for surfing… I tore the cartilage in my right knee and I’m a great skier and once I injured my shoulder but now everything is fine .
“I have good genes from my father and mother. My father is 93 years old. I have a lot of gratitude for my life, and I still have a long way to go.
New Orleans selected Mayes in the third round of the 1986 NFL Draft after a stellar career at Washington State. A two-time Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year (1984-85) and consensus All-American (’84), Mayes set single-season (1,632) and career (3,519) rushing records while also setting an NCAA record for singles. – rushing yards in a game (357 against Oregon in 1984).
As a junior, 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 was playing was always to be the best,” Mayes said. “I wanted to be the best running back in the NFL.
“I remember one time we had training camp against the Chicago Bears and I met Walter Payton in person, who was one of my idols, and that year I I beat the rusher and it was like it doesn’t matter if you’re from North Battleford, Sherwood Park or Toronto, Chuba can be the best in the NFL and that’s exciting.
“That’s always been my mindset, even today I’m going.”
© 2024 The Canadian Press
