Ben Cahoon
Encyclopedia
Ben Cahoon is a former professional Canadian football
slotback
in the Canadian Football League
who spent his entire career with the Montreal Alouettes
. He won the award for the Most Outstanding Canadian in the CFL two years in a row in 2002 and 2003.
As of the 2010 CFL season
, Cahoon is sixth overall in career receiving yards with 13,301 yards and the all-time leader overall in pass receptions with 1,017. He is also the all-time leading receiver in Grey Cup
history with 46 receptions and 658 receiving yards.
Cahoon had caught at least one pass in 202 of his last 203 games and at least one pass in each of his last 144 games.
in Orem, Utah
, where he earned All-Region and All-State honors in football, basketball, and soccer. He was named Mountain View's Athlete of the Year in 1990.
in Provo, Utah
. He played in every game for the Cougars in 1996, when BYU became the first Division I-A team in NCAA history to win 14 games in a single season. In his senior season (1997), Cahoon became BYU's top receiver with 84 catches. He averaged 84.6 receiving yards per game during that season including an 8-catch, 217-yard performance in the Cougars' 10-7 win at Arizona State University.
in the first round (sixth overall) in the 1998 CFL Draft
. He won the 90th Grey Cup
, 97th Grey Cup
and 98th Grey Cup
with Montreal in 2002, 2009 and 2010. He was named Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian
in both 2002 and 2009. His number with the Montreal Alouettes
is 86.
On August 2, 2007, Cahoon kicked a game winning 22-yard field goal in overtime in a 30-27 victory over the Toronto Argonauts
. He replaced Damon Duval
, who had been ejected from the game.
Ben Cahoon stands only 5'9, but is able to bench press 225 lbs 19 times. He is also considered to be one of the greatest slotbacks ever, and was nominated with Anthony Calvillo
for the CFL Greatest QB-WR Combo of All Time. He was named an East Division All-Star in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. He has also been named a CFL All Star on numerous occasions. In 2008, Cahoon broke Peter Dalla Riva
's record for most touchdowns ever by an Alouette receiver. He has had nine 1,000 yard receiving seasons, including a streak of eight straight.
On December 15, 2008, Ben Cahoon re-signed with the Alouettes, where the deal called for a one-year contract with an option. This enables Cahoon to play his 12th CFL season, all of them with the Montreal Alouettes. On May 14, 2010 Cahoon confirmed his return for the 2010 season.
On October 11, 2010, in a home game against the Calgary Stampeders
, Cahoon became the CFL's all-time reception leader, catching his 1,007th career pass from Anthony Calvillo
in the 4th quarter. The previous record of 1,006 was held by Terry Vaughn
.
On January 26, 2011, Ben Cahoon announced his retirement.
, announced Ben Cahoon would join the BYU coaching staff as the wide receivers coach.
Governor
Gary R. Herbert
.
A devout Mormon
, said Cahoon disliked playing football on Sunday, which he believed should be reserved for rest and prayer.
Canadian football
Canadian football is a form of gridiron football played exclusively in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete for territorial control of a field of play long and wide attempting to advance a pointed prolate spheroid ball into the opposing team's scoring area...
slotback
Slotback
Slotback is a position in Gridiron football . The slotback is similar to the wide receiver but also has many of the same traits as a running back, lines up closer to the offensive line and often farther back...
in the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
who spent his entire career with the Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
. He won the award for the Most Outstanding Canadian in the CFL two years in a row in 2002 and 2003.
As of the 2010 CFL season
2010 CFL season
The 2010 CFL season is the 57th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it is the 53rd season of the league. Edmonton is scheduled to host the 98th Grey Cup on November 28...
, Cahoon is sixth overall in career receiving yards with 13,301 yards and the all-time leader overall in pass receptions with 1,017. He is also the all-time leading receiver in Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
history with 46 receptions and 658 receiving yards.
Honours
- Grey Cup Most Outstanding Canadian: 2003, 2009
- CFL Most Outstanding Canadian: 2002, 2003
- East Division Most Outstanding Canadian: 2002, 2003, 2008, 2009
- Alouettes' Most Outstanding Player: 2006, 2007
- Alouettes' Most Outstanding Canadian: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
- CFL All-Star: 1999, 2004, 2008
- East Division All-Star: 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
- CFLPA All-Star: 2002
- CFLPA East Division All-Star: 1999,2000,2001,2002 2003, 2004, 2005,
Cahoon had caught at least one pass in 202 of his last 203 games and at least one pass in each of his last 144 games.
Early years
Cahoon spent part of his childhood in Southern Alberta and is therefore considered a non-import under the CFL's import/non-import ratio rule. Cahoon played his high school sports at Mountain View High SchoolMountain View High School (Utah)
Mountain View High School is a high school located in Orem, Utah and part of Utah County's Alpine School District. The school first opened its doors in the 1980-81 school year...
in Orem, Utah
Orem, Utah
Orem is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States, in the north-central part of the state. It is adjacent to Provo, Lindon, and Vineyard and is about south of Salt Lake City. Orem is one of the principal cities of the Provo-Orem, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Utah and...
, where he earned All-Region and All-State honors in football, basketball, and soccer. He was named Mountain View's Athlete of the Year in 1990.
College career
Cahoon played two seasons (1993–94) at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. He set school records for most receptions and most receiving yards in a single season and in a career. In 1994, he ranked second in the nation in receiving and was named Junior College All-American. He transferred to Brigham Young UniversityBrigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
in Provo, Utah
Provo, Utah
Provo is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Utah, located about south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. Provo is the county seat of Utah County and lies between the cities of Orem to the north and Springville to the south...
. He played in every game for the Cougars in 1996, when BYU became the first Division I-A team in NCAA history to win 14 games in a single season. In his senior season (1997), Cahoon became BYU's top receiver with 84 catches. He averaged 84.6 receiving yards per game during that season including an 8-catch, 217-yard performance in the Cougars' 10-7 win at Arizona State University.
Professional career
He was drafted by the Montreal AlouettesMontreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
in the first round (sixth overall) in the 1998 CFL Draft
1998 CFL Draft
The 1998 CFL Draft took place on April 7, 1998. 43 Canadian football players were chosen from eligible players from Canadian universities as well as Canadian players playing in the NCAA.- Round one :- Round two :- Round three :- Round four :...
. He won the 90th Grey Cup
90th Grey Cup
The 90th Grey Cup was the 2002 Canadian Football League championship game played between the Edmonton Eskimos and the Montreal Alouettes on November 24 at Commonwealth Stadium, in Edmonton, Alberta...
, 97th Grey Cup
97th Grey Cup
The 97th Grey Cup was played on November 29, 2009, at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Alberta, and decided the Canadian Football League champion for the 2009 season. The Montreal Alouettes came from behind to defeat the Saskatchewan Roughriders 28-27, on a 33-yard field goal by Damon Duval as time ran...
and 98th Grey Cup
98th Grey Cup
The 98th Grey Cup was a Canadian football game played between the Eastern Division champion Montreal Alouettes and Western Division champion Saskatchewan Roughriders to decide the champion of the Canadian Football League for the 2010 season...
with Montreal in 2002, 2009 and 2010. He was named Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian
Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian
The Dick Suderman Trophy for the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Canadian is awarded annually to the Canadian player deemed to have the best performance in the Grey Cup game, the championship of the Canadian Football League....
in both 2002 and 2009. His number with the Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
is 86.
On August 2, 2007, Cahoon kicked a game winning 22-yard field goal in overtime in a 30-27 victory over the Toronto Argonauts
Toronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
. He replaced Damon Duval
Damon Duval
Damon Duval is a professional Kicker and Punter for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. Raised by his mother, Cynthia, Damon attended Central High School in Harrison, Tennessee. At age 13, he played professional soccer in the United States Indoor Soccer League as a Striker for...
, who had been ejected from the game.
Ben Cahoon stands only 5'9, but is able to bench press 225 lbs 19 times. He is also considered to be one of the greatest slotbacks ever, and was nominated with Anthony Calvillo
Anthony Calvillo
Anthony Calvillo is a Canadian Football League quarterback, currently playing for the Montreal Alouettes. He is the all-time professional football passing yards leader and first in all-time CFL passing yards...
for the CFL Greatest QB-WR Combo of All Time. He was named an East Division All-Star in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. He has also been named a CFL All Star on numerous occasions. In 2008, Cahoon broke Peter Dalla Riva
Peter Dalla Riva
Peter Dalla Riva, , is a former professional Canadian football player with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League at the tight end and wide receiver positions. Dalla Riva played with the Alouettes for his entire 14 year career...
's record for most touchdowns ever by an Alouette receiver. He has had nine 1,000 yard receiving seasons, including a streak of eight straight.
On December 15, 2008, Ben Cahoon re-signed with the Alouettes, where the deal called for a one-year contract with an option. This enables Cahoon to play his 12th CFL season, all of them with the Montreal Alouettes. On May 14, 2010 Cahoon confirmed his return for the 2010 season.
On October 11, 2010, in a home game against the Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
, Cahoon became the CFL's all-time reception leader, catching his 1,007th career pass from Anthony Calvillo
Anthony Calvillo
Anthony Calvillo is a Canadian Football League quarterback, currently playing for the Montreal Alouettes. He is the all-time professional football passing yards leader and first in all-time CFL passing yards...
in the 4th quarter. The previous record of 1,006 was held by Terry Vaughn
Terry Vaughn
Terry Vaughn is a former Canadian Football League receiver most recently with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. On July 14, 2006 he became the all-time leader in receptions in the Canadian Football League, surpassing Darren Flutie's previous record of 973 receptions...
.
On January 26, 2011, Ben Cahoon announced his retirement.
Statistics
| Receiving | Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | Games | Catch | Yards | Avg | Long | TD | Games | No. | Yards | Avg | Long | TD | ||
| 1998 1998 CFL season -1998 CFL Awards:*CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award – Mike Pringle , Montreal Alouettes*CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award – Mike Morreale , Hamilton Tiger-Cats*CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award – Joe Montford , Hamilton Tiger-Cats... |
MTL 1998 Montreal Alouettes season The 1998 Montreal Alouettes finished in 2nd place in the East Division with a 12–5–1 record. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats finished with the same record, but won the season series and thus, the tie-breaker... |
18 | 33 | 471 | 14.3 | 36 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1999 1999 CFL season -1999 CFL Awards:*CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award – Danny McManus , Hamilton Tiger-Cats*CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award – Mike O'Shea , Toronto Argonauts*CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award – Calvin Tiggle , Hamilton Tiger-Cats... |
MTL 1999 Montreal Alouettes season The 1999 Montreal Alouettes finished in 1st place in the East Division for the first time since 1979 with a 12–6–0 record.-CFL Draft:-Preseason:-Season Standings:-Season Schedule:-Roster:-East Final:-1999 CFL All-Star Selections:... |
18 | 52 | 846 | 16.1 | 48 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 67 | 13.4 | 23 | 0 | ||
| 2000 2000 CFL season -2000 CFL Awards:*CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award – Dave Dickenson , Calgary Stampeders*CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award – Sean Millington , BC Lions*CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award – Joe Montford , Hamilton Tiger-Cats... |
MTL 2000 Montreal Alouettes season The 2000 Montreal Alouettes finished in 1st place in the East Division with a 12–6–0 record. They appeared in the Grey Cup for the first time since 1979, but lost to the BC Lions.-CFL Draft:-Preseason:... |
18 | 71 | 1,022 | 14.4 | 73 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 95 | 31.7 | 59 | 1 | ||
| 2001 2001 CFL season The 2001 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 48th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 44th Canadian Football League season.-CFL news in 2001:... |
MTL 2001 Montreal Alouettes season The 2001 Montreal Alouettes finished in 3rd place in the East Division following a disastrous end to the season. After starting the season with a 9–2 record, the team lost its remaining seven games, as well as their playoff game, to finish the season with a 9–9 record... |
18 | 56 | 809 | 14.4 | 68 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 29 | 14.5 | 20 | 0 | ||
| 2002 2002 CFL season The 2002 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 49th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 45th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2002:... |
MTL 2002 Montreal Alouettes season The 2002 Montreal Alouettes finished in 1st place in the East Division with a 13–5–0–1 record. They appeared in the Grey Cup, winning their first championship since 1977.-CFL Draft:-Preseason:- Season Standings :-Season Schedule:-Roster:... |
18 | 75 | 1,060 | 14.2 | 52 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 62 | 12.2 | 15 | 0 | ||
| 2003 2003 CFL season The 2003 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 50th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 46th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2003:... |
MTL 2003 Montreal Alouettes season The 2003 Montreal Alouettes finished in 1st place in the East Division with a 13–5–0 record. They appeared in the Grey Cup, but lost to the Edmonton Eskimos.-CFL Draft:-Preseason:-Season standings:-Season schedule:-Roster:... |
18 | 112 | 1,561 | 13.9 | 66 | 13 | 2 | 11 | 182 | 16.5 | 69 | 2 | ||
| 2004 2004 CFL season The 2004 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 51st season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 47th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2004:... |
MTL 2004 Montreal Alouettes season The 2004 Montreal Alouettes finished in 1st place in the East Division with a franchise record 14–4–0 record. They appeared in the East final, but with Anthony Calvillo out with injury, they lost to the Toronto Argonauts.-CFL Draft:-Preseason:... |
16 | 93 | 1,183 | 12.7 | 60 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 109 | 15.6 | 25 | 0 | ||
| 2005 2005 CFL season The 2005 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 52nd season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 48th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2005:... |
MTL 2005 Montreal Alouettes season The 2005 Montreal Alouettes finished 2nd place in the East Division with a 10–8–0 record. They appeared in the Grey Cup but lost to the Edmonton Eskimos.-CFL Draft:-Preseason:-Season schedule:-Roster:-Scotiabank East Semi-Final:... |
14 | 73 | 1,067 | 14.6 | 73 | 9 | 3 | 21 | 288 | 13.7 | 52 | 1 | ||
| 2006 2006 CFL season -2006 Rogers CFL Awards:* CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award – Geroy Simon , BC Lions* CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award – Brent Johnson , BC Lions* CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award – Brent Johnson , BC Lions... |
MTL 2006 Montreal Alouettes season The 2006 Montreal Alouettes finished in 1st place in the East Division with a 10–8–0 record. They won their first seven games, only to lose the next six in a row. After ending the losing streak against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, head coach Don Matthews resigned, expressing undisclosed health issues... |
17 | 99 | 1,190 | 12.0 | 51 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 174 | 12.4 | 25 | 0 | ||
| 2007 2007 CFL season The 2007 CFL season was the 54th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it was the 50th season of the league, and many special events were held to commemorate the event. Regular-season play began on June 28, 2007 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario and concluded on... |
MTL 2007 Montreal Alouettes season The Montreal Alouettes finished third place in the East Division in 2007. Jim Popp decided to remain as Head Coach rather than hire a replacement for Don Matthews, who unexpectedly resigned the previous season. The result was unintended as the Alouettes endured their first losing season since... |
17 | 90 | 1,127 | 12.5 | 97 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 30 | 15.0 | 19 | 0 | ||
| 2008 2008 CFL season The 2008 CFL season was the 55th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it was the 51st season for the league. It was also the first CFL season in which all of the league's regular season and post-season games, including the Grey Cup game, were aired on TSN. This meant the CFL... |
MTL 2008 Montreal Alouettes season The Montreal Alouettes finished first place in the East Division, won the East Final and advanced to the 96th Grey Cup in Montreal, where they lost to the Calgary Stampeders.-Offseason:... |
17 | 107 | 1,231 | 11.5 | 29 | 7 | 2 | 13 | 183 | 14.1 | 35 | 0 | ||
| 2009 2009 CFL season The 2009 CFL season was the 56th season of modern professional Canadian football. Officially, it was the 52nd season of the Canadian Football League. The Montreal Alouettes won the 97th Grey Cup on November 29 with a last second 28–27 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders... |
MTL 2009 Montreal Alouettes season The 2009 Montreal Alouettes season is the 43rd season for the team in the Canadian Football League and their 55th overall. The Alouettes won their 6th Grey Cup championship, 28–27 against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.... |
18 | 89 | 1,031 | 11.6 | 30 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 76 | 10.9 | 18 | 1 | ||
| 2010 2010 CFL season The 2010 CFL season is the 57th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it is the 53rd season of the league. Edmonton is scheduled to host the 98th Grey Cup on November 28... |
MTL 2010 Montreal Alouettes season The 2010 Montreal Alouettes season is the 44th season for the team in the Canadian Football League and their 56th overall. The Alouettes won their 7th Grey Cup championship, 21–18 against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, becoming the first team to repeat as Grey Cup champions since the 1996 and 1997... |
17 | 67 | 703 | 10.5 | 29 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 58 | 9.7 | 17 | 0 | ||
| CFL Canadian Football League The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football.... totals |
224 | 1017 | 13,301 | 13.1 | 97 | 65 | 23 | 92 | 1353 | 14.7 | 69 | 5 | |||
Coaching Career
On February 1, 2011, Brigham Young University head football coach, Bronco MendenhallBronco Mendenhall
-Personal life:Mendenhall has three children: Raeder-Steel, Breaker, and Cutter. Mendenhall is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.-External links:**- References :...
, announced Ben Cahoon would join the BYU coaching staff as the wide receivers coach.
Personal life
Cahoon was owner of Power Pad Insoles, LLC a company that sells performance enhancing insoles. He is the son-in-law of current UtahUtah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
Gary R. Herbert
Gary R. Herbert
Gary Richard Herbert is the 17th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Utah. Having served as the sixth Lieutenant Governor of Utah from 2005 to 2009, he assumed the governorship on August 11, 2009, following the resignation of Jon Huntsman, who was appointed United States Ambassador to the...
.
A devout Mormon
Mormon
The term Mormon most commonly denotes an adherent, practitioner, follower, or constituent of Mormonism, which is the largest branch of the Latter Day Saint movement in restorationist Christianity...
, said Cahoon disliked playing football on Sunday, which he believed should be reserved for rest and prayer.