By The Numbers: Andy Fantuz Leaves Mark In Ticats History Books

Faantuuuuuz!
It’s no question that 2016 has been by far the most productive year during Andy Fantuz’s tenure with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
After signing with the Ticats in 2012 following six years with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, as well as a brief stint with the Chicago Bears of the NFL, Fantuz has placed his stamp on the Hamilton receiver corps as well as the league as one of the best.
Since coming into the league in 2006 as the third-overall pick by Saskatchewan out of the University of Western Ontario, Fantuz has made his name well known across the CFL. In 2007, he won the Grey Cup with Saskatchewan while also being awarded the Dick Suderman Trophy as the top Canadian in the championship game.
Fantuz had himself a game in last Friday’s dramatic come from behind win in overtime over the Ottawa Redblacks that saw him clinch numerous milestones in what has already been a very decorated career.
On a night that saw him have eight receptions for 67 yards, the Chatham, Ontario native also passed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the second time in his 11-year career. His first came when he was still a member of the Roughriders in 2010; when he went on to have 87 receptions for 1,380 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He would also be named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian that same year.
Those 87 receptions in 2010 would stand as his career high until this season. Friday night brought Fantuz two milestones in the receptions category. Early in the first half against Ottawa, Fantuz would make his 628^th career reception. That catch would move him passed Hall of Fame receiver Jock Climie into 17^th all-time in career receptions. Not bad company to have your name associated with by any means.
But Fantuz would not stop there. In the fourth quarter, the six-foot-four receiver would make his 99^th reception of the year, surpassing Ticats great Darren Flutie (98) for the most receptions by a Tiger-Cat in a single season and stake claim to a record that stood since 1998.
With two games remaining in the 2016 season, Fantuz can do nothing but continue to add to his stat line. He currently stands with 101 receptions on the year, which also makes him the first Ticat to ever achieve such a feat. Although he’s clinched the millennial mark in receiving yards with 1,059, it’s still 321 yards away from his career highest (2010). However, considering the list of accomplishments he’s achieved in this season alone, it might not be worth putting it past him.