Ben Cahoon
Montreal Alouettes Getting Headlines For Football Play on the Field
And Upholding his Standards off the Field
Ten year CFL veteran Ben Cahoon is used to getting headlines. In July he got headlines for a new reason. With the team’s kicker ejected from the game, Ben came in and kicked the winning field goal in overtime. Cahoon admitted his hand was shaking as he placed the tee on the ground before the play. It was his first field-goal attempt ever in a game.
In the above Canada.com article, Alouettes coach Jim Popp said that this future CFL Hall of Famer has been overlooked by many.
"This will add to his legacy when he's named to the Hall of Fame," Als general manager/head coach Jim Popp said. "In the 16 years I've been in this league, I've been around some good ones. He and (retired offensive-tackle Uzooma) Okeke, by far, deserve to be in the top 50. "Ben has been overlooked and overshadowed, and some players have put up bigger numbers. But he has made some phenomenal catches. He's a big-play guy who's dependable, and we have confidence when he's in there. Even when he's getting 10 balls a game, it's unbelievable the attention he receives.
"Passes that aren't near the mark, he makes the ones most guys wouldn't catch. There's no denying he'll be a Hall of Famer. This will add to the discussions of what he's capable of."
Football Fans can read the rest of the article at: canada.com
In addition to his overtime kicking heroics, a Cahoon catch early in the second quarter was the 707th of his career, putting him alone in eighth place on the CFL's all-time receptions list ahead of Hamilton's Rocky DiPietro.
A Peculiar Ball Player
Ben Cahoon is a peculiar football player for another reason. Prior to the 2002 Grey Cup there were numerous articles about Ben Cahoon and how his membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints made him a different football player. The following quotes come from a cbc.ca article:
“However, if the Alouettes finally manage to break through and win the Grey Cup, there won't be any pictures of Cahoon swilling champagne.
As a practicing Mormon, Cahoon won't touch alcohol, or coffee, for that matter. But while Cahoon doesn't spend much time partying with his teammates he says they all respect his lifestyle.
"They're well aware of it. I get teased a little, but it's all in good-natured fun," says Cahoon. "I always had (former Alouette) Jock Climie tell me if we won the Grey Cup he was going to force champagne down my throat. He would have had a fight on that one!"
The father of three girls says his strong religious beliefs help keep his priorities in order.
"More than anything, the Church gives me perspective on life and what's really important. I don't know if that gives me an advantage athletically, but I realize that the truly important things in life are my family, health and relationships…My family is my foundation."
That year (2002) another TSN article (which is no longer on the web) Ben talked about how his missionary experienced helped prepare him for life including football.
Later that week (in 2002) the lds.org website carried the following quote when Ben was voted the top Canadian in the CFL.
Ben Cahoon Is CFL’s Top Canadian
“November 22, 2002 — Church in the News
Church member Ben Cahoon was named as the Canadian Football League's "Outstanding Canadian" at the CFL's award ceremony in Edmonton last Thursday. Cahoon plays slotback for the Eastern Division champion Montreal Alouettes, catching a team-leading 75 passes for 1,060 yards and scoring six touchdowns. "I am surprised," he admitted. "I didn't have a speech prepared. I had my game-face on to show a good loser. I'm shocked. The award could have gone to any number of players on our team."
While Brother Cahoon may never kick another field goal again – he has put together some impressive records in his CFL career. (As of August 11, 2007)
2007 Stats
Ben’s StatsLeague Ranking
Passes Received 2007561st (2nd has 36)
Yards Received 20075861st (2nd has 545)
Ben Cahoon All Time Career Stats (Source cfl.ca)
YearCatchesYardsTouchdownsAwards
199951 823 2 CFL All Star Team
200276 1076 6League: Most Outstanding Canadian
2003112 1561 13 Grey Cup Game:Most Outstanding Canadian
League: Most Outstanding Canadian
200493 1183 6 CFL All Star Team
200699* 1190 4 *2nd in League
2006 – First player in Montreal Alouette history to have five 1000 yard consecutive receiving seasons.
2003 His 112 Receptions is the most ever by a Canadian receiver in CFL history.
If Ben averages 75 catches per season he could become the all time pass receiver leader by the 2010 season (at age 38)
All Time Pass Receiving Leaders in the Canadian Football Leauge
RankPlayerNumber of CFL catches
1Terry Vaughn 1006
2Darren Flutie 972
3Alan Pitts 966
4Don Narcisse 904
5Ray Elgaard 830
6Derrel Mitchell 815
7Milt Stegal * 786
8Ben Cahoon* 720
9Rocky DePietro 706
•Denotes active player
