Willard Reaves

Willard Sheldon Reaves (born August 17, 1959) is an American-Canadian former professional gridiron football running back and politician. Reaves played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Canadian Football League, and for the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Redskins in the National Football League. Reaves was twice a Manitoba Liberal Party candidate for the division of Fort Whyte in 2022 and 2023.[1]

Willard Reaves
No. 38
Born: (1959-08-17) August 17, 1959
Flagstaff, Arizona, U.S.
Career information
CFL statusAmerican
Position(s)RB
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight200 lb (91 kg)
CollegeNorthern Arizona
High schoolFlagstaff (AZ) Coconino
Career history
As player
1983Edmonton Eskimos*
1983–1987Winnipeg Blue Bombers
1988–1989Washington Redskins
1989Miami Dolphins
Career highlights and awards
CFL All-Star1983, 1984, 1985, 1987
Awards1983 - Jackie Parker Trophy
1984 - CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award
Career stats

College career

Reaves played college football at Northern Arizona University from 1977 to 1980. He rushed for 2,139 yards at university, the best being 1979 when he rushed for 1,084 yards and was voted First-team All Big Sky Conference First-team All American.

In 1992, Reaves was inducted into the Northern Arizona University Athletics Hall of Fame, and in 2002 he became a member of the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.[2]

Professional career

Canadian Football League

Reaves played five seasons for the Blue Bombers from 1983 to 1987. He rushed for 898 yards in his first year and was runner up for the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie Award and an all star. In 1984, he led the league rushing for 1,733 yards on 304 carries and 18 touchdowns, all team records. He also set a CFL record with 2,140 yards from scrimmage. He won the CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award.[3] He also helped his team win the 72nd Grey Cup, their first victory since 1962.[3]

Reaves rushed for 1,000 yards two other times (1,323 in 1985 and 1,471 in 1987), he led the league in both seasons. He finished his career with 5,923 total rushing yards for the Blue Bombers. He led the CFL in rushing 3 times in his career. He was a three time CFL all star.

National Football League

In 1988, he got into a contract dispute with the Bombers, who wanted Reaves to take a massive paycut. He was released and tried out with the NFL (he was originally undrafted) and in 1989 he played two games with the Miami Dolphins and one game with the Washington Redskins.[4][5]

Career regular season rushing statistics
CFL StatisticsRushing
YearTeamGPRushYardsY/RLgTD
1983Winnipeg Blue Bombers91648985.5759
1984Winnipeg Blue Bombers1630417335.76814
1985Winnipeg Blue Bombers1626713235.0689
1986Winnipeg Blue Bombers61044984.8273
1987Winnipeg Blue Bombers1527114715.4699
1989Washington Redskins21-1-1.0-10
1989Miami Dolphins1-----
CFL Totals62111059235.37544

Political career

In October 2021, Reaves was announced as the Manitoba Liberal Party's candidate in the 2022 Fort Whyte by-election to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.[6] Reaves ultimately lost to Progressive Conservative candidate and fellow former Blue Bomber, Obby Khan. Reaves was defeated by Khan in a rematch in the 2023 Manitoba general election.[1]

Personal life

Following his retirement from the NFL, Reaves moved back to Winnipeg and became a sergeant with the Manitoba Sheriff Service. Willard's eldest son, Ryan Reaves, is a professional ice hockey right wing for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League. Willard's youngest son, Jordan Reaves, is a professional football player with the Edmonton Elks of the CFL. He also has two daughters, Regina and Renee.[7]

References
  1. "Obby Khan beats Willard Reaves in Manitoba election battle of former Winnipeg Blue Bombers". 3DownNation. 2023-10-04. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  2. "Willard Reaves (August 17, 1959 - )". honouredmembers.sportmanitoba.ca. Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  3. Duff, Bob (January 27, 2011). "Duff: CFL roots set path for Reaves, Nurse". Windsor Star. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  4. "Willard Reaves". nfl.com. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  5. Allen, Taylor (February 9, 2018). "Blue Bomber great Reaves wanted badge, gun but police chief urged him to take ball, run". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  6. "Manitoba Liberals to Nominate Willard Reaves as Candidate in Fort Whyte By-Election". 28 October 2021.
  7. Odeven, Ed (October 1, 2004). "Reaves doesn't shy away from limelight". Arizona Daily Sun. Retrieved November 28, 2018. Reaves and his wife, Lise M. Reaves: daughters Renee, 44; Regina, who lives in Phoenix, 40; and sons Ryan, 36, and Jordan, 33.
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