Chris Rainey facts for kids
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Rainey with the Toronto Argonauts in 2019
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| Born: | March 2, 1988 Lakeland, Florida, U.S. |
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| Career information | |
| CFL status | International |
| Position(s) | Running back Kick returner |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| College | Florida |
| High school | Lakeland (Lakeland, Florida) |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2012 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 2013 | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2014 | Arizona Cardinals* |
| 2014 | Montreal Alouettes |
| 2015–2018 | BC Lions |
| 2019 | Toronto Argonauts |
| 2020–2021 | BC Lions |
| *Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| CFL All-Star | 2016 |
| CFL West All-Star | 2016, 2018 |
| Career stats | |
| Rushing yards | 1,038 |
| Receiving yards | 1,293 |
| Return yards | 10,413 |
| Total touchdowns | 19 |
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Christopher Rainey, born on March 2, 1988, is a former American football player. He was a talented running back and kick returner. Chris played in both the National Football League (NFL) and the Canadian Football League (CFL).
He was part of the University of Florida's college football team that won the BCS National Championship in 2009. Later, the Pittsburgh Steelers picked him in the 2012 NFL draft. He also played for other teams like the Indianapolis Colts, Montreal Alouettes, BC Lions, and Toronto Argonauts.
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Early Life and High School Football
Chris Rainey was born in Lakeland, Florida. His grandmother raised him. He went to Lakeland High School. There, he became a star running back for the Lakeland Dreadnaughts football team.
During high school, he lived with twin brothers Maurkice Pouncey and Mike Pouncey. All three were key players on the Dreadnaughts team. In 2006, as a senior, Chris ran for 2,478 yards and scored 32 touchdowns. Fifteen of his touchdowns were runs of 50 yards or more.
He helped the Lakeland Dreadnaughts win their third straight Florida Class 5A state championship. They also won their second straight USA Today national championship. After his senior year, he was named a U.S. Army high school All-American. He finished his high school career with over 7,000 total yards and 90 touchdowns.
Rainey and the Pouncey brothers all decided to play college football for the University of Florida. All three players later joined NFL teams.
College Football Career
Chris Rainey received a scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. He played for the Florida Gators football teams from 2007 to 2011. He was part of the Gators team that won the 2008 SEC Championship Game and the 2009 BCS National Championship Game.
During his time as a Gator, he played in 52 games. He ran for 2,464 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. He also caught 69 passes for 795 yards and 6 touchdowns. He gained 454 yards returning kickoffs. Chris holds the team record for blocked kicks with 4. After his senior season in 2011, his teammates voted him the team's most valuable player.
Track and Field Achievements
As a freshman, Chris also ran the 100-meter dash for the Florida Gators track and field team. He earned All-American honors as part of the Gators men's 4x100-meter relay team in 2008.
In 2010, as a junior, the Gators men's 4x100-meter relay team won the NCAA championship. Chris Rainey, Jeremy Hall, Terrell Wilks, and Jeff Demps were on this team. They finished first with a time of 39.04 seconds. This group received All-American honors for their win.
Professional Football Career
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers chose Chris Rainey in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL draft. He was the 159th player picked overall. He signed a four-year contract with the team on May 6, 2012.
He played his first game for the Steelers on September 9, 2012, against the Denver Broncos. He scored his first NFL touchdown on October 21, 2012, against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers released Rainey on January 10, 2013, due to issues off the field.
Indianapolis Colts
Rainey signed with the Indianapolis Colts on November 20, 2013. He spent three weeks with the team. He was inactive for his first week due to limited practice time.
He played in two games for the Colts in Weeks 13 and 14. After their Week 14 game, the Colts placed Rainey on Injured Reserve. In his two games, Rainey returned six kickoffs and four punts. He gained a total of 160 all-purpose yards. On July 28, 2014, Colts coach Chuck Pagano announced that Rainey had been released. This was due to a violation of team rules.
Arizona Cardinals
Rainey signed with the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on September 9, 2014. He was released by the team on September 18, 2014.
Montreal Alouettes
Rainey signed with the Montreal Alouettes practice roster on September 28, 2014. He was moved to the active roster on October 20, 2014. Rainey played in 5 games for the Alouettes in 2014. He had 22 touches on offense and 15 as a return specialist. The team released Rainey on June 15, 2015.
BC Lions (First Time)
Rainey signed with the BC Lions on August 28, 2015. He joined midway through the season and played in the final nine regular season games. He mainly played as a punt and kick returner.
In the 2016 CFL season, Rainey led the CFL in combined yards with 2,945. He also finished third in both kick and punt return yards. On December 5, 2016, Rainey and the Lions agreed to a two-year contract extension. This kept him with the team through the 2018 CFL season.
Toronto Argonauts
Chris Rainey signed with the Toronto Argonauts on February 12, 2019. In Week 4, against his old team the BC Lions, Rainey returned a punt for a touchdown. He was named Toronto's Most Outstanding Special Teams Player for the season. Rainey passed 10,000 career return yards during this season. He was released on February 7, 2020.
BC Lions (Second Time)
On February 11, 2020, it was announced that Rainey signed a one-year contract to return to the Lions. However, the 2020 CFL season was canceled. So, Rainey signed with the Lions again on February 9, 2021. Rainey became a free agent on February 8, 2022.
Personal Life
Chris and his wife, Jenn, have three children: Makari, Makynli, and Makailynn. Chris Rainey's older brother is Rod Smart, who also played football professionally.
See also
- 2008 Florida Gators football team
- List of Florida Gators in the NFL draft
- List of Pittsburgh Steelers players
