Flagstaff Native, And NAU Hall Of Fame Running Back, Willard Reaves Running For Political Office In Canada

Flagstaff-native, and former Coconino Panther and NAU running back, Willard Reaves is running for political office in Canada. The “CBC” reports Reaves is running for a seat in the Manitoba legislature for Fort Whyte, which is a southwestern suburb of Winnipeg. Reaves played five seasons for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League from 1983 until 1987. He won the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie Award in 1983 and was CFL MVP in 1984, leading Winnipeg to its first Grey Cup Championship since 1962. Reaves has lived in Manitoba for 36 years, becoming a Canadian citizen in 1990. Before he played in the CFL, Reaves played at NAU from 1977 until 1980, rushing for 2,139 yards as a Lumberjack and entered the school’s Hall of Fame in 1992. Before his days at NAU, he was a star running back at Coconino High School. Reaves held a press conference last week and when he announced his candidacy saying, “I love the teamwork, I love being the team player, but when things are wrong, I like to speak up and I will speak up.” A meeting to confirm his nomination will take place Friday.