Ex-NFL star Mayes pulling for Panthers’ Hubbard to break his Canadian rushing mark | CBC Sports

Long the standard by which Canadian running backs are measured in the NFL, Rueben Mayes is hoping Chuba Hubbard can set that bar even higher.

In 1986, Mayes became the first Canadian to rush for over 1,000 yards in an NFL season, running for a career-best 1,353 yards (over 16 regular-season games) as a New Orleans Saints rookie.

On Dec. 8, Hubbard became the second Canadian to crack the 1,000-yard plateau and needs 159 yards in the Carolina Panthers’ final two regular-season games to surpass Mayes’ single-season mark.

“I’m cheering for him to do it,” Mayes said. “I did what I did 38 years ago and being the first (Canadian) to do it, I feel a lot of pride about that.

“But now it’s Chuba’s time. It (1,353 yards) is definitely within reach and I think Canadians should be really proud to know there’s a homegrown player who’s doing that on a big stage like that. The big thing is to stay healthy and have the opportunity but Chuba is in position to do that.”

Now 61, Mayes, of North Battleford, Sask., played in the NFL with New Orleans (1986-90) and Seattle (92-93), rushing for 3,484 yards (four-yard average) with 23 touchdowns. He was the NFL’s top offensive rookie in 1986, went to the Pro Bowl twice (1986, ’87) and was inducted into the Saints’ Hall of Fame in 2004.

Hubbard, 25, of Sherwood Park, Alta., has some work to do to surpass Mayes.