Charles Roberts (Canadian football)

Charles A. Roberts
Date of birth: April 3, 1979
Place of birth: Montclair, California
Career information
Status: Retired
CFL status: International
Position(s): RB
Height: 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
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 yards)
    Career stats

    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.

    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

    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

    References

    1. ↑ Charles Roberts Gone in the Blink of an Eye
    2. ↑ ROBERTS TOPS 10,000 YARD PLATEAU
    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.

    External links