Wes Cates facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Wes Cates

No. 20
Born:	(1979-10-03) October 3, 1979 (age 46) Columbus, Ohio
Career information
CFL status	International
Position(s)	RB
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	215 lb (98 kg)
College	California (PA)
Career history
As player
2006	Calgary Stampeders
2007–2011	Saskatchewan Roughriders
Career highlights and awards
Grey Cup champion (2007)
CFL All-Star	2008
CFL West All-Star	2008, 2010
Career stats
Playing stats at CFL.ca (archive)

Wes Cates (born October 3, 1979) is a former professional Canadian football player. He was a talented running back known for his speed and determination on the field.

College Football Star

Wes Cates went to California University of Pennsylvania. He played football there for four years and never missed a single game! He was an amazing player, setting many records for his school and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).

Setting Records

Wes gained a total of 5,647 yards during his college career. This was a record for the PSAC. He also scored 63 touchdowns by running with the ball. These achievements made him a true legend at his university.

Awards and Recognition

Wes was named an All-American in his last two years of college. This means he was recognized as one of the best players in the country. He also led the PSAC in rushing yards for three out of his four seasons. In 2001, he was named the PSAC-West Offensive Player of the Year. Because of his incredible college career, Wes Cates was inducted into his university's Athletic Hall of Fame.

Professional Football Journey

Wes Cates started his professional football career in 2006. He joined the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Starting in Calgary

In his first year, Wes played in 17 games for the Stampeders. He didn't get a lot of playing time at first. He ran for 181 yards and scored two touchdowns. He also caught 21 passes for 286 yards and one touchdown.

Becoming a Roughrider Hero

Just before the 2007 season, Wes Cates was traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. This move changed everything for him! He quickly became a favorite among fans. His speed and strong will made him a hero to many.

In 2007, Wes ran for 866 yards and caught 45 passes for 452 yards. He scored five touchdowns that season. During the playoffs, he showed incredible toughness. He ran for 128 yards even with a broken foot! His efforts helped the Saskatchewan Roughriders win the Grey Cup Championship in 2007. This is one of the biggest awards in Canadian football.

All-Star Season

The 2008 season was fantastic for Wes. He rushed for 1,229 yards and gained 451 receiving yards. He scored an amazing 16 touchdowns! Because of his great performance, he was named to the CFL All-Star team. He was also second in the league for most rushing yards.

Dealing with Injuries

Before the 2009 CFL season, Wes had surgery on his right shoulder. He had a shoulder injury that needed to be fixed. Even with the injury, he continued to play for the Roughriders.

End of His CFL Career

After playing for six seasons in the CFL, Wes Cates's time with the Saskatchewan Roughriders came to an end. In February 2012, he was not offered a new contract. He had a memorable career, especially with the Roughriders.

Career Statistics

Here's a look at Wes Cates's rushing statistics during his professional career: