It's a long way to go for a pro football career, but the Canadian Football League made it worthwhile for former Arkansas-Pine Bluff running back Martell Mallet Monday.
The CFL named Mallett the league's Rookie of the Year, the third time in four years that a rookie from the British Columbia Lions has received the honor.
Mallett made quite a show in his league debut, racking up 1,240 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 214 carries for an average of 5.8 yards per game. He also caught 43 passes for 342 yards (8.0 yards per game) and two scores. His high-point came in week 10 when he put up a franchise-record 213 yards against the Montreal Alouettes, who won the Grey Cup this year.
British Columbia finished the season 8-10, last in the CFL's western division.
Earlier, Mallett, who earned All-SWAC First Team honors in 2008 with UAPB, won the Jackie Parker Trophy for Most Outstanding Rookie in the Western Division.
The Rookie of the Year vote is cast by 55 panel members from the Football Reporters of Canada chapters in the eight CFL markets, plus the national chapter and also from league head coaches. Mallet earned 35 first-place votes.
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