Mike Benson (born May 13, 1987) is a Canadian football long snapper for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played CIS football for the Acadia Axemen and attended St. Paul's High School in Winnipeg.[1] He has also been a member of the Edmonton Eskimos, Toronto Argonauts, BC Lions, Ottawa Redblacks, and Montreal Alouettes.
| No. 40 Winnipeg Blue Bombers | |
 Benson with the Blue Bombers in 2021 | |
| Born: | May 13, 1987 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | Active |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | Long snapper |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| University | Acadia |
| CJFL | Winnipeg Rifles |
| High school | Winnipeg (MB) St. Paul's |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2012–2013 | Edmonton Eskimos |
| 2014 | Toronto Argonauts* |
| 2014–2018 | BC Lions |
| 2019 | Ottawa Redblacks |
| 2020 | Montreal Alouettes* |
| 2021–present | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| *Offseason and/or practice roster member only | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Career stats | |
| |
Professional career
editEdmonton Eskimos
editBenson was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos on June 11, 2012. He was released by the Eskimos on June 17, 2012.[2] He signed with the Eskimos on October 18, 2012.[3]
Toronto Argonauts
editBenson signed with the Toronto Argonauts on June 1, 2014. He was released by the Argonauts on June 22, 2014.[4]
BC Lions
editBenson was signed by the BC Lions on August 31, 2014.[5] During his fourth year as the Lions' long snapper, Benson recovered a muffed punt that he had snapped and which Edmonton wideout Brandon Zylstra failed to secure. Benson returned the ball for a touchdown against his former team.[6] Benson received a one-year contract extension to remain with the Lions on January 11, 2018.[7] He played in all 18 games in 2018, but was released from BC during the following off-season on May 1, 2019. During six years in the CFL and 84 games played, Benson had accumulated 16 tackles on special teams.
Ottawa Redblacks
editBenson signed with the Ottawa Redblacks to a practice roster agreement on July 22, 2019.[8] Benson was called up when Ottawa's regular long snapper Louis-Philippe Bourassa was suspended for two games.[9] Benson also played the final three games of the season for Ottawa. He was released by the Redblacks on January 23, 2020.[10]
Montreal Alouettes
editOn January 27, 2020, it was announced that Benson had signed a one-year contract with the Montreal Alouettes.[11] However, the 2020 CFL season was cancelled and he did not play for the Alouettes.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
editUpon entering free agency, Benson signed with his hometown Winnipeg Blue Bombers on February 9, 2021.[12] He played in all 14 regular season games and both post-season games in 2021 as he finished the season as a Grey Cup champion following the Blue Bombers' victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 108th Grey Cup game.
References
edit- ^ "Mike Benson Bio". ssc-nutrition.com. May 8, 2015. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Transactions - June 2012". cfl.ca. Archived from the original on November 1, 2015. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
- ^ "Transactions - October 2012". cfl.ca. Archived from the original on August 2, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
- ^ "2014 TRANSACTIONS". argonauts.ca. Archived from the original on August 2, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
- ^ "Transactions". cfl.ca. Archived from the original on July 30, 2015. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
- ^ "BC Scores the Ultra-Rare Long Snapper Touchdown".
- ^ "Lions ink Benson through 2018". 11 January 2018.
- ^ "Transactions: July 22, 2019". July 22, 2019.
- ^ "Redblacks' Bourassa tests positive for banned substance, suspended two games".
- ^ "Transactions: January 23, 2020". Ottawa Redblacks. January 23, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
- ^ "Als sign Lalama, Termansen to extensions; add Benson". cfl.ca. January 27, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- ^ "Blue Bombers agree to terms with Winnipeg-born long snapper Mike Benson". Winnipeg Blue Bombers. February 9, 2021.