CFL Saskatchewan Roughriders

A New Contract for Zark

Published on April 3, 2003 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Saskatchewan Roughriders News Release


Today the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club announced that they have re-signed fullback Chris Szarka to a new two-year, plus an option deal. Financial terms were not released.

Szarka is coming off a career season setting personal bests in carries, rushing yards, and touchdowns. The punishing fullback finished last year with 424 rushing yards, 145 receiving yards, and five touchdowns.

The six-year CFL veteran has 859 career rushing yards, 789 receiving yards, 30 special teams tackles, and 10 touchdowns.

"Chris Szarka's contributions to this team are invaluable," stated Riders head coach Danny Barrett. "We can always rely on Szarka to get the first down, throw a key block, or break a big play. His contributions to our special teams also make Szarka one of the best all-around fullbacks in the CFL.

CHRIS SZARKA 33
FULLBACK
Height: 6'3 Weight: 215 Non-Import: Eastern Illinois
Born: February 12, 1975 Vancouver, BC
Yrs Pro: 7 Yrs CFL: 7 Yrs Rider: 7
How Acquired: Selected in 2nd Rnd (13th overall) of 1997 College Draft
Games Played: CFL: 92 2002: 18

PRO: Seventh season with Roughriders...selected by Saskatchewan in second round (13th overall) of 1997 CFL College Draft. 2002: Started 18 games at fullback...started Eastern Semi-Final at fullback...had career high 70 yards rushing in WEEK 7...had career highs in rushes with 104, yards with 424, and touchdowns with five...CAREER STATS: played in 74 career games...26 special team tackles...48 catches for 644 yards and five touchdowns...101 rushes for 415 yards...played in 2 playoff games and in the 1997 Grey Cup game...CAREER STATS: played in 92 career games...30 special team tackles...57 catches for 789 yards and 10 touchdowns...205 rushes for 839 yards...played in 3 playoff games and in the 1997 Grey Cup game.

2001: Dressed as starting fullback in 16 games...on waived injured list for two weeks with an ankle injury...led Riders in rushing in WEEK 2, 32 yards on two carries. SEASON STATS: 51 carries for 243 yards and three touchdowns...nine catches for 125 yards and two special team tackles.

CAREER: Dressed as starting fullback in 16 games in 2000...on waived injured list for two weeks...ran for 19 yards, longest run of career in WEEK 4...season totals: 24 carries for 149 yards...added 13 catches for 174 yards and a touchdown...returned two kicks for 16 yards...added one special team tackle...dressed in eight games in 1999...started at fullback in final week...missed WEEK 5 with shoulder injury...re-injured shoulder in WEEK 8...placed on 9 game injured list...also played special teams...credited with four rushes for nine yards and grabbed seven catches for 99 yards...added three kicks return for 34 yards...had two defensive tackles and 10 special team stops...blocked punt for a touchdown against Hamilton in WEEK 5 saw action on special teams and limited offensive playing time in last 17 games...made 11 special team stops...had career high four special team stops against Lions in WEEK 16...made seven catches for 78 yards and a one yard touchdown...made CFL debut in WEEK 2...on practice roster during WEEK 1.

COLLEGE: Played two seasons with Eastern Illinois...had outstanding season as starting fullback...started all 11 games as senior...was Panther's leading pass receiver with 35 receptions for 475 yards...added 26 rushes for 101 yards and a touchdown.

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Canadian Football League Stories from April 3, 2003


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