Rueben Mayes facts for kids

Rueben A. Mayes (born June 6, 1963) is a Canadian former professional football player. He was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) from 1986 to 1993. He played college football for the Washington State Cougars. He was recognized as an All-American and is now a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Canadian Roots

Rueben Mayes' family has a unique history. His ancestors were African Americans who left Oklahoma in 1910. They traveled north to Saskatchewan, Canada, looking for a better life. They were promised free land if they moved there. This group was known as the "Shiloh People". They built a small log cabin church called "Shiloh Baptist Church".

Rueben first became known for his football skills at North Battleford Comprehensive High School in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. In 1980, he led his team, the NBCHS Vikings, to an undefeated season. They won the SHSAA 3A provincial football championship. In 1981, he set a provincial record in the 100 metres race. This record still stands today. His sister, Lesa Mayes-Stringer, was also an athlete. She competed for Canada in bobsledding from 1999 to 2007.

College Football Star

Mayes played college football at Washington State University in Pullman. In 1984, he was named an All-American. He also finished tenth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy, a major award for college football players.

While playing for the Cougars, Mayes set new school records. He rushed for 1,632 yards in one season and 3,519 yards in his college career. He also set an NCAA record for the most rushing yards in a single game. He gained 357 yards against Oregon in 1984. This was the Pacific-10 Conference record for over 25 years.

In 1995, experts named Mayes to the all-time Washington State University football team. He received this honor again in 1998. On May 1, 2008, he was chosen for the College Football Hall of Fame. In 2017, a group of experts from the Pac-12 Network ranked him as the number one greatest Washington State player of all time.

Playing in the NFL

The New Orleans Saints picked Mayes in the third round of the 1986 NFL draft. He was the 57th player chosen overall. He was also picked second overall in the 1986 CFL Draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, but he chose to play in the NFL.

In his first year, Mayes won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. This award goes to the best offensive player in their first NFL season. Even though injuries affected his career, he was chosen for the Pro Bowl twice. The Pro Bowl is an all-star game for the best players in the NFL. After five seasons with the Saints, Mayes was traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 1992. He played his final two years in the NFL with the Seahawks.

NFL Stats

Life After Football

After his football career, Rueben Mayes started working in higher education and helping others. He earned a master's degree in business. He spent 15 years in leadership roles at Washington State University and the University of Washington. Later, he moved into healthcare and charity work. He worked for PeaceHealth System and Pullman Regional Hospital. Currently, he works at Seattle Children's Hospital.

Rueben has been married to his wife, Marie, for 36 years. Marie is a director and professor at Washington State University. Their oldest son, Logan, played college football at Washington State. He later graduated with a finance degree. Their younger son, Kellen, served in the Peace Corps in Albania. He is now studying to become a doctor at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Mayes is known as the most successful Canadian-born skilled player in the NFL. He is one of only six people from Saskatchewan to play in the NFL. In 1989, a documentary film called The Saint from North Battleford was made about him.