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Andy Fantuz
Andy Fantuz
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Andrew Fantuz (born December 18, 1983) is a Canadian former professional football slotback. Fantuz spent the majority of his professional career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played for the Riders for six seasons after he was drafted by them in the first round of the 2006 CFL draft. He then played six seasons for the Tiger-Cats. Fantuz was also signed by the Chicago Bears in 2011. He played CIS football for the Western Ontario Mustangs.

Key Information

Early life

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Fantuz attended John McGregor Secondary School from 1997 to 2002, where he played football and basketball. He also played for the Essex County Ravens of the Ontario Varsity Football League.

University career

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Andy Fantuz attended the University of Western Ontario from 2002 to 2005, where he established himself as one of the best receivers in Canadian Interuniversity Sport history. Fantuz was awarded the CIS Rookie of the year award in 2002 with 1300 receiving yards (a single season record) and nine touchdowns.[1] Fantuz won the Hec Crighton Trophy as the top player in the CIS in 2005, finishing with 44 catches for 825 yards to become only the fifth receiver to win the award and first since Calgary's Don Blair in 1995. He finished his university career as the OUA and CIS leader with 189 receptions for 4,123 yards and 41 touchdown receptions. He was a four-time CIS all-Canadian and four-time OUA all-star while being named to the first-team all-Canadian in 2002, 2004, and 2005.[2] On January 21, 2006, Fantuz represented Eastern Canada in the East-West Shrine Game which showcases the best college talent in the United States and with invitees from Canada.

Professional career

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Saskatchewan Roughriders

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While many thought that he could go first overall in the 2006 CFL draft, Andy Fantuz was chosen in the first round and third overall by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. After the draft, Fantuz tried out for the Detroit Lions in May 2006, but was not offered a contract and, as such, signed a one-year plus an option contract with Saskatchewan on May 20, 2006.[3][4] Because he had signed the contract late, he missed a beginning portion of the 2006 training camp.

Fantuz was integrated slowly into the Roughriders offence in 2006, and caught his first pass against Toronto on July 22, 2006. He made his first start against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in week 10 and started the last nine games of the season as well as two playoff games. He scored his first touchdown in a bizarre play against the BC Lions on September 24, 2006. Quarterback Kerry Joseph was rushing towards the endzone deep in BC territory when he was tackled from behind and fumbled the ball forward. Fantuz promptly jumped on the ball in the endzone, culminating in his first CFL touchdown, which counted as a rushing touchdown by CFL rules. The same game went into overtime, with Fantuz catching his first touchdown reception and winning the game for the Roughriders, meaning that he got his first rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game. He had his first 100-yard receiving game in week 20 against the Edmonton Eskimos. Fantuz finished the season with 30 catches for 408 yards, 3 receiving touchdowns, and 1 rushing touchdown. On November 30, 2006, Fantuz agreed to a two-year plus an option contract.[5]

The 2007 season was presumably a promising one for Fantuz as the media and coaching staff alike were expecting big things from the sophomore receiver. However, the sophomore slump took its toll on Fantuz as numerous dropped balls at critical junctures led to his demotion from the starting line-up in week 5 by head coach Kent Austin. After catching just 17 balls for 201 yards through the first eight games, Fantuz had a turnaround game against Winnipeg with four reception for 96 yards. He continued his strong play with a 7 catch – 142 yard performance against the Montreal Alouettes, filling in for Matt Dominguez who was injured in the Banjo Bowl. On October 14, 2007, he had a blowout game with seven catches for 240 receiving yards and three touchdowns against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. It was the third best receiving yardage game in team history and tied for the best touchdown performance by a Roughrider in a single game. As a result, he was named the Canadian Player of the Month for September. Fantuz finished the season just short of 1,000 yards with 978 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He was the Roughriders' nomination for Most Outstanding Canadian. In three playoff games, Fantuz had 16 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns, including four catches for 70 yards and one touchdown in the 95th Grey Cup. Because of his performance in the Grey Cup game, he was named the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Canadian after the Roughriders won their third championship.

In 2008, Andy Fantuz had an excellent start to the season with 24 catches for 328 yards and was on pace for his first 1000-yard season. However, in a game against Toronto, Fantuz suffered a broken fibula, the smaller, non-weight bearing bone in his left leg while being tackled in the fourth quarter of the July 27, 2008, 28–22 victory. He was placed on the nine-game injured list and did not return until week 18 versus the Edmonton Eskimos. In total, he played seven games and finished the regular season with 36 catches for 488 yards and three touchdowns. He also attempted one deep pass to Weston Dressler but was intercepted in a game versus Hamilton. Despite playing in only seven games, he led the offence with six defensive tackles. He had two catches for 39 yards in the Roughriders' West-Semi Final loss to the BC Lions.

Once again, Fantuz had a good start to the season, on pace for just under 1000 receiving yards, with 219 yards and one touchdown, but was injured in the week four match-up with the Edmonton Eskimos. He returned for the Banjo Bowl against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and caught two passes for 64 yards and a touchdown, which was thrown by fellow receiver, Jason Armstead, on a gadget play. He had an outstanding outing in the overtime game against the Calgary Stampeders, contributing 10 catches for a season-high 149 yards and a game-tying touchdown. He had another dominant game against the Stampeders in the final game of the season with 12 catches for 123 yards, which was the highest reception total by a Roughrider since Curtis Marsh had 13 in 2001. Fantuz finished the season with a career-high 67 receptions for 882 yards and three touchdowns and was tied with Chris Getzlaf for the team lead in two-point conversions with two. In the 2009 West Final, he had a game-high five receptions for 89 yards and one touchdown, which was part of the 27–17 win over the Stampeders that featured all Roughrider scoring by Canadian players. In the 2009 Grey Cup, Fantuz had a team-high five catches for 67 yards and a touchdown, which wound up being a 28–27 loss to the Montreal Alouettes.

On October 15, 2009, Fantuz stated that he had verbally agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Roughriders, but would examine his NFL options before February 15, 2009.[6] If he did not sign with an NFL team by then, he would sign a one-year plus an option contract with the Roughriders.[7] On February 12, 2010, it was officially announced that Fantuz had re-signed with the Roughriders.[8]

Chicago Bears

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On February 4, 2011, Fantuz signed a future contract with the Chicago Bears for the 2011 NFL season.[9][10] He was waived on September 2.[11] In two preseason games with the Bears, Fantuz recorded two receptions for 19 yards.[12]

Saskatchewan Roughriders (II)

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On September 7, 2011, Fantuz rejoined the Saskatchewan Roughriders and played his first game of the season on September 11 making 2 catches for 47 yards. As a result of his time with the Chicago Bears (missing half the CFL season) and a lingering ankle injury Fantuz finished the season with only 175 yards receiving on 13 catches having only played in 4 games.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

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On February 17, 2012, Fantuz signed a four-year contract with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.[13] In his first season in with the Tiger-Cats Fantuz played in 17 of the 18 regular season games and amassed 971 receiving yards and a career-high 8 touchdowns. Fantuz missed a significant portion of the 2015 season with an injury.[14] Fantuz set a personal best for most receptions in a season when he caught 101 in 17 games during the 2016 CFL season. He missed the final game of the season after being diagnosed with a torn ACL.[15] After recovering from his injury Fantuz only played in three games for the Ti-Cats in 2017, catching six passes for 55 yards. Fantuz announced his retirement from professional football on July 19, 2018.[16][17]

Administrative career

[edit]

On May 18, 2017, it was announced that Fantuz had re-joined the Tiger-Cats, but in an administrative role as the team's player development coordinator.[18] Fantuz returned to a playing role, re-signing with the team, on September 18, 2017.

Fantuz Flakes

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During the Summer of 2010, as part of their "100 years of The Roughriders" promotional campaign, Federated Co-op Ltd. released a breakfast cereal under the name "Fantuz Flakes". The box featured an image of Fantuz on the front, and the cereal itself was similar to Oatmeal Crisp in texture and colour.[19]

Career statistics

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[20]

Receiving   Regular season   Playoffs
Year Team Games No. Yards Avg Long TD Games No. Yards Avg Long TD
2006 SSK 18 30 408 13.6 30 3 2 4 53 13.3 15 0
2007 SSK 17 56 978 17.5 72 7 3 16 263 16.4 30 2
2008 SSK 7 36 488 13.5 31 3 1 2 39 19.5 21 0
2009 SSK 13 67 882 13.2 40 4 2 10 156 15.6 39 2
2010 SSK 18 87 1,380 15.9 66 6 3 6 77 12.8 31 0
2011 SSK 4 13 175 13.5 31 0 Team did not qualify
2012 HAM 17 72 971 13.5 27 8 Team did not qualify
2013 HAM 15 65 896 13.8 64 3 3 24 235 9.8 18 2
2014 HAM 13 62 639 10.3 31 3 2 6 81 13.5 21 0
2015 HAM 9 42 432 10.3 23 2 2 8 88 11.0 39 0
2016 HAM 17 101 1,059 10.5 39 5 Injured
2017 HAM 3 6 55 9.2 16 0 Team did not qualify
CFL totals 148 637 8,363 13.1 72 44 18 76 992 13.1 39 6

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Andrew "Andy" Fantuz (born December 18, 1983) is a Canadian former professional who played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for 12 seasons from 2006 to 2017 and briefly in the (NFL) with the in 2011, primarily known for his tenure with the and . Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 215 pounds, Fantuz recorded 637 receptions for 8,363 yards and 44 touchdowns over his career, establishing himself as one of the league's top Canadian receivers. His professional journey was preceded by a stellar amateur career, including the Hec Crighton Trophy in 2005 as Canada's outstanding university player at Western University. Born and raised in Chatham, , Fantuz attended John McGregor and played junior football for the Essex County Ravens, earning league MVP honors in 2002, before committing to Western University, where he was a four-time All-Canadian and set school records for receiving yards. Fantuz entered the CFL after being selected in the first round of the 2006 draft by the , where he played until 2011 and helped the team win the 2007 , catching four passes for 70 yards, including a , in the championship game and earning the Dick Suderman Trophy as the game's most outstanding Canadian. His breakout year came in 2010 with , when he led the CFL in receiving yards with 1,380 on 87 catches, earning the Most Outstanding Canadian award and NFL tryouts, including with the . Traded to the in 2012, Fantuz continued his productivity, achieving a career-high eight that year and a personal-best 1,059 yards in 2016. He retired following the 2017 season and was inducted into the Chatham Sports Hall of Fame in 2022 and the Football Ontario Hall of Fame in 2023 for his contributions to the sport. Post-retirement, Fantuz has transitioned into roles within the CFL, including as a video official at the league's head office as of 2024.

Early life and education

Youth and high school

Andy Fantuz was born on December 18, 1983, in . Raised in Chatham, a community with a vibrant local sports scene, Fantuz developed his athletic talents from a young age amid strong familial encouragement. He attended John McGregor Secondary School from 1997 to 2002, where he starred as a receiver for the McGregor Panthers and also competed in . In , Fantuz contributed to the Panthers' success, helping secure Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) 'AA' provincial championships in 2000 and 2001, followed by a fourth-place finish at the OFSAA 'AAAA' level in 2002. Beyond high school, Fantuz played for the Essex County Ravens in the Ontario Varsity Football League, where he earned honors and was named the league's MVP in 2002, contributing significantly to the team's achievements. These formative experiences in Chatham's sports environment honed his skills and prepared him for higher levels of competition.

University career

Andy Fantuz enrolled at the in 2002, where he played as a for the team through the 2005 season. In his rookie year of 2002, Fantuz earned the CIS Rookie of the Year award, setting a single-season record with 1,300 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, which highlighted his immediate impact on the Mustangs' offense. Over his four-year university career, Fantuz amassed 189 receptions for 4,123 yards and 41 , establishing CIS records in career receiving yards and touchdown catches at the time. During the 2005 season, his senior year, Fantuz delivered a dominant performance with 44 receptions for 825 yards and a league-leading 12 touchdown catches, tying for the most receptions in Canadian university football while ranking second in receiving yards. These statistics earned him the Hec Crighton Trophy as the top player in , making him only the fifth receiver to win the award. Fantuz's contributions were instrumental in the Mustangs' successes, including a 7-1 regular-season record in 2005 that advanced the team to the conference final, where they fell to the eventual national champions. He was named a CIS All-Canadian in each of his four seasons, underscoring his consistent excellence and role as a transformative for the program.

Professional playing career

Saskatchewan Roughriders (2006–2011)

Andy Fantuz was selected by the with the third overall pick in the first round of the 2006 CFL Draft, following a standout university career at Western where he set Canadian Interuniversity Sport records for receptions and receiving yards. In his rookie season of 2006, Fantuz quickly adapted to professional play, recording 30 receptions for 408 yards and three touchdowns over 18 games, establishing himself as a reliable in the Roughriders' offence. His sure hands and physical presence at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds made him a key target for quarterback , contributing to Saskatchewan's push toward the playoffs despite a 9-9 regular-season record. Fantuz's breakthrough came in 2007, when he amassed 56 receptions for 978 yards and seven touchdowns during the , earning the Roughriders' nomination for Most Outstanding Canadian. The season culminated in Saskatchewan's first victory in 19 years, a 23-19 win over the , where Fantuz was named the game's Most Valuable Canadian after catching four passes for 70 yards and the game's only offensive touchdown. His performance exemplified the team's resilient spirit, helping foster a culture of shared success among the "Canadian Air Force" receiving group that emphasized teamwork and offensive balance under head coach . The 2008 and 2009 seasons presented challenges due to injuries, including a broken leg in 2008 that limited him to 36 receptions for 488 yards and three touchdowns, and a injury in 2009 that restricted him to 13 games but still yielded 67 catches for 882 yards and four scores. Despite these setbacks, Fantuz played a pivotal role in the Roughriders' return to the in 2009, recording five receptions for 67 yards and a in a narrow 28-27 loss to the Alouettes, underscoring his importance in high-stakes Western Conference matchups. His perseverance helped maintain team morale during a period of transition, contributing to Saskatchewan's consistent contention in the West Division. Fantuz reached the peak of his Roughriders tenure in , leading the CFL with 1,380 receiving yards on 87 catches and six touchdowns, earning the league's Most Outstanding Canadian award and West Division All-Star honours. This dominant performance powered the Roughriders to another appearance, though they fell short in the final; Fantuz's league-leading output highlighted his growth into one of the CFL's premier Canadian receivers and solidified his legacy within the franchise's revitalized culture of excellence. Over six seasons with from 2006 to 2011, Fantuz tallied 289 receptions for 4,311 yards and 23 touchdowns in 77 regular-season games, ranking among the team's all-time leaders in Canadian receiving production. His contributions extended beyond statistics, as he embodied the Roughriders' emphasis on national talent development and community engagement, later recognized by his 2021 induction into the team's Plaza of Honour. Fantuz departed the Roughriders in early 2011 to pursue an NFL opportunity with the , briefly returning to play four games late in the season with 13 receptions for 175 yards before signing with Hamilton the following year.

Chicago Bears (2011)

Fantuz signed a reserve/future contract with the on February 4, 2011, following his standout performance as the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian with the the previous season. Transitioning to the presented significant challenges for Fantuz, including a higher level of competition and more rigorous physical demands compared to the CFL. He participated in and the preseason, appearing in four games but receiving limited opportunities, with just two targets resulting in two receptions for 19 yards. On September 2, 2011, the Bears waived Fantuz as they reduced their roster to the required 53 players, ending his brief stint. This experience underscored the difficulties of adapting to the 's intensity, ultimately leading Fantuz to return to the CFL after a 10-day window to explore other opportunities expired without success.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2012–2017)

Following a brief and unsuccessful stint with the in the , Fantuz returned to the CFL by signing a four-year contract with the as a on February 17, 2012. Fantuz quickly established himself as a key contributor in Hamilton's receiving corps. In his debut 2012 season, he recorded 72 receptions for 971 yards and a career-high eight touchdowns across 17 games, providing reliable production for quarterback . The following year, in 2013, he followed up with 65 receptions for 896 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games. His 2014 campaign saw him play 13 games, catching 62 passes for 639 yards and three touchdowns, as the advanced to the for the first time since 1999; Hamilton fell 20-16 to the in the championship game at Investors Group Field, where Fantuz earned the Dick Suderman Trophy as the top Canadian performer with six receptions for 81 yards. Injuries increasingly hampered Fantuz's availability and performance in later years. A dislocated elbow sidelined him for much of 2015, limiting him to nine games with 42 receptions for 432 yards and two touchdowns. Despite tearing his ACL in late 2016, he delivered a resurgent performance that season, setting career highs with 101 receptions for 1,059 yards and five touchdowns over 17 games—a mark that earned him the East Division Most Outstanding Canadian honour—while helping Hamilton secure a playoff berth. Returning from the knee injury in 2017, he managed only three games with six receptions for 55 yards before being released as a free agent in February 2018. Across his six seasons with the Tiger-Cats from 2012 to 2017, Fantuz compiled 348 receptions for 4,052 yards and 21 touchdowns in 71 regular-season games, ranking tied for seventh in franchise history in receptions at the time of his departure. On July 19, 2018, at age 34, he announced his retirement after a 12-year CFL career encompassing 148 regular-season games.

Post-playing career

Administrative roles with Hamilton Tiger-Cats

In 2017, Andy Fantuz transitioned into an administrative role with the , accepting the position of player development coordinator while rehabilitating from a torn ACL injury sustained late in the 2016 regular season. This dual capacity allowed him to remain affiliated with the team as an active player on the practice roster, signed in September 2017, enabling him to contribute to football operations during his recovery. Fantuz's appointment leveraged his veteran status and deep understanding of the Tiger-Cats' offensive system, gained from six seasons as a key receiver with the team since , to support broader front-office initiatives. The role positioned him to assist in player development activities, drawing on his experience to foster growth among team members and enhance overall team preparation. Following his from professional football in July 2018 after 12 CFL seasons, Fantuz maintained his association with the Tiger-Cats in administrative and support capacities for several years, contributing to the organization's operations until his departure in May 2024. During this period, his efforts focused on mentoring emerging talent and strengthening team culture, informed by his insider perspective as a former all-star player.

CFL video official and league office

In May 2024, Andy Fantuz joined the (CFL) head office as a video official in the Command Centre, transitioning from his previous broadcasting and administrative positions. This role marked his entry into league-wide operations, where he contributes to the replay review process during games. As a video official, Fantuz is part of a four-person crew in the Command Centre, responsible for reviewing critical plays to ensure accuracy, including scoring plays, turnovers, quarterback hits, and coach-initiated challenges. He communicates directly with on-field officials to provide insights and supports decisions aimed at upholding the integrity of the game, focusing on clear and obvious errors rather than subjective judgments. His extensive playing experience, spanning 12 CFL seasons as a receiver, allows him to leverage an in-depth understanding of gameplay for unbiased replay assessments. Fantuz's position continued into the 2025 season, where he has expressed enjoyment in the analytical demands of the control booth, viewing it as a fulfilling extension of his football that fills a post-playing void. This ongoing league role represents a complete shift to impartial oversight, building on his prior administrative work with the as a stepping stone to broader CFL contributions.

Media and endorsements

Broadcasting work

Following his retirement from professional football in 2018, Andy Fantuz transitioned into broadcasting in 2021, leveraging his extensive CFL experience as a receiver to provide expert analysis. Fantuz joined the newly launched Hamilton Tiger-Cats Audio Network as an on-air analyst, contributing to pre-game, halftime, and post-game coverage for the team's online radio broadcasts. In this role, he offered incisive game insights, player breakdowns, and interviews, often collaborating with former teammate Luke Tasker on segments like the podcast Task 'n Tuz, where they discussed team strategies and CFL trends. His commentary drew on his on-field achievements, including over 600 receptions and a Grey Cup victory, to enhance credibility in evaluating receiver play and offensive schemes. Beyond the Audio Network, Fantuz made guest appearances on CFL-related media, including panels and interviews on outlets like CHCH Television, where he shared perspectives on team dynamics and league developments. He continued in these capacities through the 2023 season, contributing to fan engagement via podcasts and broadcast segments. In May 2024, Fantuz departed the Ticats Audio Network to assume a full-time position as a video official in the CFL's command centre, marking the end of his primary broadcasting tenure.

Fantuz Flakes endorsement

In 2010, amid Andy Fantuz's rising prominence as a star slotback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders during a season in which he recorded 87 receptions for 1,380 yards and six touchdowns, the Federation Co-operative Limited launched "Fantuz Flakes," a limited-edition breakfast cereal branded in his honor. The product featured Fantuz's portrait on the box and was exclusively available at Co-op stores across , with marketing emphasizing its ties to Roughriders fandom and football-themed promotions at fan events where supporters lined up to purchase it. A portion of the proceeds supported the Children's Hospital Foundation in ; the initial run sold out rapidly, prompting a second edition in October that doubled the box quantity and generated $10,000 for the charity. The endorsement created significant media attention, including a satirical response from the who produced promotional materials spoofing "Fantuz Flakes" as an anti-dandruff shampoo ahead of a game against the Roughriders. This venture underscored Fantuz's off-field marketability in and endures as a quirky, fan-favorite example of athlete-branded novelty products in the CFL.

Career statistics

CFL regular season

Andy Fantuz amassed 637 receptions for 8,363 yards and 44 touchdowns over 148 regular-season games in his 12-year CFL career, split between the (2006–2011) and (2012–2017). His consistent production as a highlighted his reliability, with career averages of 13.1 yards per reception. Fantuz's most prolific season came in 2010 with , where he recorded 87 receptions for 1,380 yards and 6 touchdowns, earning CFL West All-Star and Most Outstanding Canadian honors. He later set a personal best for receptions in 2016 with Hamilton, catching 101 passes for 1,059 yards and 5 touchdowns in 17 games. The table below details his year-by-year regular-season receiving statistics, including games played.
YearTeamGPRecYdsAvgLgTD
2006Saskatchewan Roughriders183040813.6303
2007Saskatchewan Roughriders175697817.5727
2008Saskatchewan Roughriders73648813.6313
2009Saskatchewan Roughriders136788213.2404
2010Saskatchewan Roughriders18871,38015.9666
2011Saskatchewan Roughriders41317513.5310
2012Hamilton Tiger-Cats177297113.5278
2013Hamilton Tiger-Cats126589613.8643
2014Hamilton Tiger-Cats136263910.3313
2015Hamilton Tiger-Cats94243210.3232
2016Hamilton Tiger-Cats171011,05910.5395
2017Hamilton Tiger-Cats36559.2160
Career1486378,36313.17244
Receiving statistics sourced from StatsCrew.com; games played from CFL.ca.

Postseason and Grey Cup

Andy Fantuz appeared in 18 playoff games over his CFL career, recording 76 receptions for 992 yards and 6 touchdowns. His postseason contributions were particularly notable in championship contests, where he played in five s with the (2007, 2009, 2010) and (2013, 2014). In the 2007 , Fantuz earned the Dick Suderman Trophy as the game's Most Outstanding Canadian after catching 4 passes for 70 yards and 1 touchdown, helping defeat the 23–19. In the 2014 , he again won the Dick Suderman Trophy, hauling in 6 receptions for 81 yards in Hamilton's 20–16 loss to the . One of Fantuz's standout postseason performances came in the 2009 Western Final, where he recorded a game-high 5 receptions for 89 yards and 1 , aiding the Roughriders' 27–17 victory over the .
YearRoundOpponentResultReceptionsYardsTDs
2007Grey CupWinnipeg Blue BombersW, 23–194701
2009Western FinalW, 27–175891
2009Montreal AlouettesL, 28–275671
2010Montreal AlouettesL, 18–214660
2013L, 23–457760
2014L, 20–166810
Receiving statistics sourced from StatsCrew.com; games played from CFL.ca.

References

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