Canadians had an impact on the NFL in 2004, with 12 of the 15 Canadians that ended the season on NFL rosters making significant contributions on the field in 2004.
Receivers JEROME PATHON (Saints) and NATE BURLESON (Vikings), kickers STEVE CHRISTIE (Giants) and MIKE VANDERJAGT (Colts), linemen TOM NUTTEN (Rams) and ROB MEIER (Jaguars), and punter MITCH BERGER (Saints) were regular starters for their clubs.
Nutten was a surprise starter for the Rams this season, after having spent 2003 as a coach in NFL Europe.
Rob Meier’s "iron-man" streak of three and a half seasons (75 games) without missing a game came to a close in Week 12 when the Vancouver native broke his ankle. Meier ended the season on injured reserve.
Tight end and 2003 second-round draft pick TEYO JOHNSON (Raiders) earned his starting position late in the season, and linebacker MIKE LABINJO (Eagles) started for Philadelphia in weeks 16 & 17 when most of the regular starters were resting.
Former University of Manitoba Bison ISRAEL IDONIJE saw most of his action as a back-up on the Bears defensive line. Idonije recorded his first career sack in Week 8, taking down San Francisco QB Ken Dorsey for a loss of 13 yards.
Seahawks KERRY CARTER (kick returns) and J.P. DARCHE (long snaps) contributed to Seattle’s division-winning season on special teams.
Only three of the 15 Canadians who ended the season on NFL rosters did not see any regular season action. Offensive linemen STEVE MORLEY (Packers) and BRETT ROMBERG (Jaguars) travelled with their teams as part of the 53-man rosters but did not play. JESSE PALMER spent the season on the sidelines as the Giants third-string quarterback.
2004 CANADIANS IN THE NFL:
Player/Team | Ties to Canada | 2004 Statistics |
Mitch Berger, P, Saints | Born in Kamloops, BC & played high school football in North Delta, BC | Averaged 43.6 yards on 85 punts, also averaged 65.4 yards on kickoffs |
Nate Burleson, WR, Vikings | Born in Calgary, Alberta, while father Al Burleson played for CFL Stampeders | Started 15 games for the Vikings & caught 68 passes for 1006 yards & 9 TD |
Kerry Carter, RB, Seahawks | Born and played high school football in Toronto, Ontario | Rushed for 15 yards on 4 attempts, and averaged 21.3 yards returning 21 kickoffs |
Steve Christie, K, Giants | Born, raised and played high school football in Oakville, Ontario | Connected on 78.6% of field goal attempts, including 3 of 4 from 50+ yards |
J.P. Darche, LS, Seahawks | Montreal native played college football in Canada with CIS McGill Redmen | Made 3 tackles on special teams while serving as long snapper |
Israel Idonije, DE, Bears | Nigeria native played college football in Canada with CIS University of Manitoba Bisons | Recorded 11 tackles, 1 sack and 1 pass defense |
Teyo Johnson, TE, Raiders | Born in White Rock, BC | Caught 9 passes for 131 yards and 2 TD while earning the starting TE job by season’s end |
Mike Labinjo, LB, Eagles | Born and played high school football in Toronto, Ontario | Recorded 11 tackles in two starts |
Rob Meier, DT, Jaguars | Born and played high school football in Vancouver, BC | Was involved in 22 tackles & one sack as an 11-game starter at DE |
Steve Morley, OG, Packers | Halifax native played college football in Canada with CIS St. Mary’s | On roster but inactive |
Tom Nutten, OG, Rams | First football experience came with the Lennoxville CEGEP team while growing up in Magog, Quebec | Starting LG |
Jesse Palmer, QB, Giants | Born and played both junior and high school football in Nepean, Ontario | No regular season statistics |
Jerome Pathon WR Saints | Played high school football in Vancouver, BC, and played one year of CIS football with Acadia Axemen | Caught 34 passes for 581 yards, 23 first downs & 1 TD |
Brett Romberg, C, Jaguars | Born and played high school football in Windsor, Ontario | On roster but inactive |
Mike Vanderjagt, K, Colts | Born and played high school football in Oakville, Ontario | Connected on 80% of field goal attempts, none from more than 47 yards |
