| No. -- CFL Free Agent | |
| Date of birth: | April 3, 1979 |
| Place of birth: | Montclair, California |
| Career information | |
|---|---|
| Status: | Free Agent |
| CFL status: | Import |
| Position(s): | RB |
| Height: | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Weight: | 177 lb (80 kg) |
| College: | Sacramento State |
| Organizations | |
| As player: | |
| 2001-2008 2008 |
Winnipeg Blue Bombers BC Lions |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| CFL All-Star: | 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 |
| CFL East All-Star: | 2001, 2006, 2007 |
| CFL West All-Star: | 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 |
| Awards: | 2001 - Frank M. Gibson Trophy |
| Honors: | 2007 - Fan Choice |
| Records: | Winnipeg career Rushing Leader (9,470) |
| Playing stats at CFL.ca | |
Charles Roberts (born April 3, 1979 in Montclair, California) is a free agent running back who most recently played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and BC Lions in the Canadian Football League.
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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 (an amazing 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.
In his 8-year tenure to date, he has 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 again in 2006 with 1609 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning a nomination as the East's Most Outstanding Player. Off the field he has experienced highs and lows. The enigmatic back has 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 has rushed for 8,091 yards in just six seasons with the Blue Bombers. He has also tallied up 2,732 receiving yards and 57 touchdowns in his professional career so far.
On Sept. 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.
Despite being relatively early in his career, 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.
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]
| Year | Team | Attempts | Yards | Average | Long | TD | Fumbles | Receptions | Yards | Avg | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | WPG | 107 | 620 | 5.8 | 22 | 1 | 3 | 27 | 288 | 10 | 43 | 0 |
| 2002 | WPG | 216 | 1,162 | 5.4 | 70 | 5 | 5 | 55 | 613 | 11 | 591 | 6 |
| 2003 | WPG | 264 | 1,554 | 5.9 | 51 | 8 | 2 | 51 | 548 | 10 | 47 | 2 |
| 2004 | WPG | 300 | 1,522 | 5.1 | 49 | 8 | 11 | 53 | 398 | 7 | 26 | 5 |
| 2005 | WPG | 290 | 1,624 | 5.6 | 69 | 12 | 5 | 49 | 474 | 9 | 32 | 0 |
| 2006 | WPG | 303 | 1,609 | 5.3 | - | 10 | 5 | 42 | 411 | 9 | 32 | 0 |
| 2007 | WPG | 246 | 1,379 | 5.3 | - | 16 | 6 | 47 | 358 | 7 | 35 | 0 |
| 2008 | WPG/BC | 176 | 815 | 4.6 | - | 9 | 4 | 44 | 306 | 7 | 20 | 0 |
| Totals (to 2008) | TOT | 1918 | 10285 | 5.4 | 70 | 69 | 41 | 368 | 3396 | 9 | 64 | 13 |