Wes Cates

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Wes Cates
No. 20
WesCatesRiders.JPG
Born: (1979-10-03) October 3, 1979 (age 42)
Columbus, Ohio
Career information
CFL statusAmerican
Position(s)RB
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight215 lb (98 kg)
CollegeCalifornia (PA)
Career history
As player
2006Calgary Stampeders
2007–2011Saskatchewan Roughriders
Career highlights and awards
CFL All-Star2008
CFL West All-Star2008, 2010
Career stats
  • Playing stats at CFL.ca (archive)

Wes Cates (born October 3, 1979) is a former professional Canadian football running back.

College career[]

Cates attended California University of Pennsylvania and graduated in 2001 without ever missing a game in his four-year career. He had 5,647 total yards, a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) record, on 937 carries, 63 rushing touchdowns and 386 total points, all school records. He was an All-American for the last two years of his college career and he led the PSAC in rushing for three of his four seasons. Cates was also the PSAC-West Offensive Player of the Year in 2001 and he led the PSAC in rushing for three seasons. He was a PSAC-West first team All-Star selection for three years and he was also nominated for the Harlon Hill Award for best player in division 2 in his sophomore and senior seasons. A 1999 and 2001 All-American, Cates was drafted into the university's Athletic Hall of Fame in his first eligible year.

Professional career[]

Cates made his professional debut in 2006 after signing a contract with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He dressed for 17 of the Stampeders' 18 regular season games, but he did not get much playing time. He finished the season with only 25 rushing attempts for 181 yards and two touchdowns, while also catching 21 passes for 286 yards and one touchdown.

Just before the 2007 season began, Cates was traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Cates immediately turned into a fan favourite and a hero to many with his speed and determination. He ran for 866 yards on 153 carries, caught 45 passes for 452 yards and scored five touchdowns. During the 2007 playoffs, Cates rushed for 128 yards on 25 attempts with a broken foot and he helped the Saskatchewan Roughriders win the Grey Cup Championship.[1]

In 2008, Cates rushed for 1229 yards, amassed 451 receiving yards and scored 16 touchdowns. He earned a spot on the CFL All-Star team for his accomplishments and ranked second in the most rushing yards.[2]

Prior to the 2009 CFL season, Cates underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder and had been considered questionable to start the 2009 Saskatchewan Roughriders season.[3]

In February 2012, after 6 CFL seasons, Cates was not offered a new contract with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.[4]

Transactions[]

  • 2006 – Signed as a free agent by the Calgary Stampeders
  • 2007 – Traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders for Rob Lazeo and a conditional draft pick

Career statistics[]

[5]

Rushing   Regular season   Playoffs
Year Team Games No. Yards Avg Long TD Games No. Yards Avg Long TD
2006 CGY 17 25 181 7.2 64 2 1 0 0 0.0 0 0
2007 SSK 14 152 866 5.7 49 5 2 25 128 5.1 22 0
2008 SSK 15 216 1229 5.7 49 12 1 9 23 2.6 4 0
2009 SSK 16 195 932 4.8 37 5 2 27 148 5.5 17 0
2010 SSK 18 203 1054 5.2 83 15 3 37 208 5.6 24 3
2011 SSK 14 138 680 4.9 32 4
CFL totals 94 930 4,942 5.3 83 43 9 98 507 5.2 24 3

References[]

  1. ^ Riders' Cates ready to run
  2. ^ 2008 CFL Offensive All-Stars Announced
  3. ^ McCormick, Murray (2009-06-08). "Wes Cates may miss Game 1 for the Riders". Leader-Post. Retrieved 2009-06-08.
  4. ^ "Roughriders part ways with Wes Cates". The Globe and Mail. 10 February 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  5. ^ "Wes Cates #20". CFL. Retrieved 2009-12-14.
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