| No. 70[1] | |
|---|---|
| Position | Wide receiver |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1963-01-23)January 23, 1963 (age 63) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Listed height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Listed weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Career information | |
| University | Toronto |
| CFL draft | 1987: 2nd round, 18th overall pick |
| Career history | |
| 1987 | BC Lions* |
| 1987–1988 | Toronto Argonauts* |
| 1988–1989 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Awards and highlights | |
| |
Paul Shorten (born January 23, 1963) is a Canadian former professionalfootballwide receiver who played one season with theWinnipeg Blue Bombers of theCanadian Football League (CFL). He was selected by theBC Lions in the second round of the1987 CFL draft. He playedcollege football at theUniversity of Toronto.
Paul Shorten was born on January 23, 1963, inToronto, Ontario.[1]
Shorten attended theUniversity of Toronto, and playedcollege football for theToronto Varsity Blues of theCanadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union (CIAU) as aslotback.[1][2] He caught 33 passes for a CIAU-leading 676 yards during the 1986 season, earningAll-Canadian honors.[3][2]
Shorten was selected by theBC Lions of theCanadian Football League (CFL) in the second round, with the 18th overall pick, of the1987 CFL draft.[1] He officially signed with the team on May 26 for $34,000 plus a $2,000 signing bonus that would have doubled if he made the team.[4][5] He was released on June 20.[6] However, on June 22, it was reported that Shorten had been re-signed to the team's practice roster.[7] On June 27, it was reported that he had been re-released by the Lions.[8]
Shorten was then signed to the practice roster of theToronto Argonauts of the CFL in mid July 1987.[9] He was released by the Argonauts on August 21, 1987, so he could return to the University of Toronto for his final season of college football.[10][3] Initially, the CIAU was not sure if Shorten still qualified as an amateur due to his stints on the practice rosters of both the Lions and Argonauts during the 1987 season.[3] Nonetheless, the CIAU ended up letting him play the 1987 season.[11] He returned to the Argonauts in 1988 but was released in July 1988 before the start of the1988 CFL season.[12] He was signed to the practice roster again shortly thereafter.[13]
On July 17, 1988, it was reported that Shorten had been signed to theWinnipeg Blue Bombers' practice roster after being released from the Argonauts' practice roster the same day.[13] He was promoted to the active roster several days later, replacing American wide receiverKen Winey.[14][15] Shorten dressed in 15 games for the Blue Bombers during the 1988 season, recording three catches for 34 yards, 24 punt returns for 88 yards, one kickoff return for 15 yards, and one tackle.[1] He was released by the Blue Bombers on October 29 but signed back to the team's practice roster in early November.[16][17] The Blue Bombers finished the year with a 9–9 record, second place in theCFL Eastern Division.[18] Shorten replaced offensive guardBrad Tierney on the active roster for the team's Eastern Semi-Final game against theHamilton Tiger-Cats.[19] Shorten then played in the Eastern Final victory over theToronto Argonauts.[20] On November 27, 1988, Shorten split time on kick returns with teammateKen Pettway as the Blue Bombers beat theBC Lions by a score of 22–21 to win the76th Grey Cup.[21][18] The next year, Shorten was placed on the injured list on July 1, 1989, with a finger injury.[22][23] On August 7, 1989, it was reported that he had been released by the Blue Bombers.[24]
Shorten then playedsemi-pro football for theOttawa Bootleggers in 1989.[25] He also later played for theGateshead Senators in Britain and was inducted into the team's hall of fame in 2003.[26]
In 1991, Shorten returned to the University of Toronto to earn more credits on his physical education degree with hopes of getting into teachers' college.[27] Despite having already played professional football, Shorten played college football for the Toronto Varsity Blues during the 1991 season as both acornerback and receiver.[28][27] In one November game that year, he scored four receivingtouchdowns.[28]
In 1995, Shorten played for the Toronto Landell Lightning at the Canadiantouch football championships.[29]