Rueben Mayes facts for kids

Rueben A. Mayes, born on 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. Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the Washington State Cougars. He was recognized as one of the best college players and is now in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Early Life and High School Success

Rueben Mayes' family has a unique history. His ancestors were a group of African Americans who moved from Oklahoma to Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1910. They were looking for a better life and free land. These pioneers were known as the "Shiloh People".

Mayes first became known for his football skills as a running back at North Battleford Comprehensive High School in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. In 1980, he helped lead his team, the NBCHS Vikings, to an undefeated season. They won the SHSAA 3A provincial football championship. In 1981, he also set a provincial record in the 100 metres at the SHSAA provincial track and field championship, which is still unbroken. His sister, Lesa Mayes-Stringer, was a bobsled athlete who competed for Canada.

College Football Career

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

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

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

Professional Football Career

The New Orleans Saints selected 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. However, he never played in the CFL.

In his first year, Mayes won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Even though injuries affected his NFL career, he was chosen for the Pro Bowl twice. After playing five seasons with the Saints, Mayes was traded to the Seattle Seahawks in April 1992. He played his final two years in the NFL with the Seahawks.

NFL Career Statistics

Life After Football

After his football career, Mayes started working in higher education and helping charities. He earned a master's degree in business administration. He spent 15 years in leadership roles at Washington State University and the University of Washington.

Later, he moved into healthcare administration and charity work. He worked for PeaceHealth System and then as a chief officer at Pullman Regional Hospital. Currently, he works at Seattle Children's Hospital, focusing on partnerships and fundraising.

Rueben Mayes is married to Marie Mayes, who is a director and professor at Washington State University. Their oldest son, Logan, played football at Washington State and later graduated from California Polytechnic State University. He is now a financial analyst. Their younger son, Kellen, served in the Peace Corps in Albania. He is now a medical student 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.