Charles Roberts (Canadian football)

Last updated
Charles Roberts
Born: (1979-04-03) April 3, 1979 (age 44)
Montclair, California, U.S.
Career information
StatusRetired
CFL status American
Position(s) RB
Height5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Weight177 lb (80 kg)
College Sacramento State
Career history
As player
20012008 Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2008 BC Lions
Career highlights and awards
    CFL All-Star 20012007
    CFL East All-Star 2001, 2006, 2007
    CFL West All-Star 20022005
    Awards2001 - Frank M. Gibson Trophy
    Honors2007 - Fan Choice
    RecordsWinnipeg Career Rushing Leader (9,987 yards)
    Career stats
    • Playing stats at CFL.ca (archive)

    Charles Roberts (born April 3, 1979) is a former Canadian football running back who played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and BC Lions of the Canadian Football League.

    Contents

    College

    Roberts attended Sacramento State, where he set numerous DI-AA rushing records for the Sac State Hornets football team, including total rushing yards and most yards in a game (409 yards vs Idaho State in 1999). His nickname while with the Hornets was "Choo-Choo Charlie", in reference to the train that would often come by behind the stadium during games and practices. Upon graduation, he went to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to play for the Canadian Football League team, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

    Blue Bombers

    In his 8-year tenure he established himself as one of the premier running backs in the Canadian Football League, earning the nickname "Blink" for his amazing quickness and agility. [1] He led the league in rushing yards in 2006 with 1609 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning a nomination as the East's Most Outstanding Player. Off the field he experienced highs and lows. The enigmatic back missed team flights, led the league in all-purpose yards, pondered retirement, led the league in rushing yards, publicly criticized some decisions, and signed a long-term big money deal to remain as the face of the Bombers.

    Through the 2006 season, Roberts rushed for 8,091 yards in just six seasons with the Blue Bombers. He also tallied up 2,732 receiving yards and 57 touchdowns.

    On September 2, 2007 Roberts passed Leo Lewis to become the Winnipeg Blue Bombers all-time leading rusher. He is also fifth all-time in CFL career rushing totals.

    Roberts was selected in 2005 as one of the 20 All-Time Blue Bomber Greats.

    On September 1, 2008, Roberts was traded to the BC Lions for fellow RB Joe Smith.

    BC Lions

    On September 13, 2008, in a game against the Roughriders, Roberts ran to surpass 10,000 rushing yards in his CFL career. [2]

    On December 3, 2008, the Lions announced that Roberts' 2009 option was not being renewed and as a result he became a free agent. [3] He retired from the game shortly thereafter.

    Post-football

    Since retiring as a player, Roberts moved to and now resides in Long Beach, California, where he works for the United States Postal Service. [4]

    On September 18, 2013, Roberts was inducted into the Blue Bombers' Hall of Fame. [5]

    In 2014, he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

    Statistics

    YearTeamAttemptsYardsAverageLongTDFumblesReceptionsYardsAvgLongTD
    2001WPG1076205.822132728810430
    2002WPG2161,1625.470555561311596
    2003WPG2641,5545.951825154810472
    2004WPG3001,5225.149811533987265
    2005WPG2901,6245.669125494749320
    2006WPG3031,6095.3-105424119320
    2007WPG2461,3795.3-166473587350
    2008WPG/BC1768154.6-94443067200
    TotalsTOT1918102855.4706941368339696413

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    References

    1. Charles Roberts Gone in the Blink of an Eye
    2. "ROBERTS TOPS 10,000 YARD PLATEAU". Archived from the original on 2012-02-12. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
    3. Lions release Clermont, Roberts
    4. "Roberts, Graham, Warrington inducted into Blue Bomber Hall of Fame". WinnipegFreePress.com. June 25, 2013.
    5. "Blue Bombers to induct Charles Roberts into Blue Bomber Hall of Fame". BlueBombers.com. June 25, 2013. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved June 25, 2013.