Toshiki Sato (gridiron football)

Toshiki Sato (born September 30, 1993) is a Japanese professional gridiron football placekicker and punter for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Waseda. He has also been a member of the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL, and the IBM Big Blue of the X-League.

Toshiki Sato
No. 39     Calgary Stampeders
Sato with the Toronto Argonauts in 2022
Born: (1993-09-30) September 30, 1993 (age 31)
Yokohama, Japan
Career information
StatusPractice roster
CFL statusGlobal
Position(s)Placekicker, punter
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight180 lb (82 kg)
CollegeWaseda
Career history
As player
2016–2019IBM Big Blue
20212022Toronto Argonauts
2023–presentCalgary Stampeders*
*Offseason and/or practice roster member only
Career highlights and awards
Career stats

Early life

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Sato was born in Yokohama, Japan.[1]

College career

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Sato played four years of college football for the Waseda Big Bears of Waseda University in Shinjuku, Japan.[1] With three seconds remaining in the 2015 Koshien Bowl, Sato missed a 52-yard field goal as Wasada lost to the 2015 Ritsumeikan Panthers by a score of 28–27.[2]

Professional career

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X-League

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Sato played for the IBM Big Blue of the X-League from 2016 to 2019.[3] In 2019, he earned All-X-League honors and also set a league record with a 58-yard field goal.[4][1][5]

The Spring League

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Sato played for the Austin Generals of The Spring League (TSL) in 2019 and the Aviators of the TSL in 2020.[1][6]

Toronto Argonauts

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Sato was selected by the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in the second round, with the 16th overall pick, of the 2021 CFL Global Draft.[7] He signed with the team on April 20, 2021.[8] He spent the majority of the 2021 season on the practice roster but was promoted to the active roster for the final game of the regular season.[8] In that game, Sato punted nine times for 311 yards, kicked off twice for 116 yards, scored a rouge and missed one extra point as the Argonauts lost 13–7 to the Edmonton Elks.[1][9][10] He was released on December 5 and re-signed by the Argonauts on December 30, 2021.[8]

Sato was released by the Argonauts on May 29, 2022, and signed to the practice roster on June 5, 2022.[11] He remained on the practice roster for the duration of the season, including when the Argonauts won the 109th Grey Cup by defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers by a score of 24–23.[12] His practice roster contract expired on November 21, 2022.[11]

Calgary Stampeders

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Sato signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL on February 6, 2023.[13] He was moved to the practice roster on June 3, 2023. He was released by the Stampeders on November 5, 2023.[14] Sato was signed to the practice roster again on June 2, 2024.[15]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "STAMPS SIGN SATO". stampeders.com. February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  2. ^ Ikezawa, Hiroshi (July 14, 2020). "Memory of missed field goal drives Toshiki Sato's NFL ambitions". japantimes.co.jp. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  3. ^ Koshan, Terry (July 15, 2021). "Sato's goal at first CFL camp, via Japan, with Argos: Make a fine impression, earn a job". torontosun.com. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  4. ^ "HOGAN: SATO MOVING FROM BIG BLUE TO DOUBLE BLUE". argonauts.ca. November 16, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  5. ^ "Japanese kicker Toshiki Sato hoping for offer from NFL's Cowboys, Raiders". kyodonews.net. June 22, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  6. ^ Nagatsuka, Kaz (October 25, 2020). "Kicker Toshiki Sato gears up for long-awaited Spring League test". japantimes.co.jp. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  7. ^ Abbott, JC (April 15, 2021). "2021 CFL Global Draft: Instant Analysis". 3downnation.com. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c "Toronto Argonauts Transactions". footballdb.com. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  9. ^ Mitchell, Mike (November 16, 2021). "Elks-Argos Game Recap: Edmonton Downs Backup Toronto Team In The Six". cflnewshub.com. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  10. ^ "Toshiki Sato". footballdb.com. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Toronto Argonauts Transactions". footballdb.com. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  12. ^ Murphy, Bryan (November 21, 2022). "Grey Cup 2022 final score, result: Argonauts defeat Blue Bombers at the 109th Grey Cup to deny Winnipeg of three-peat". sportingnews.com. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  13. ^ "TRANSACTIONS – 2023". stampeders.com. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  14. ^ "Calgary Stampeders Transactions". footballdb.com. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  15. ^ "Stampeders bring back Global kicker Toshiki Sato". 3DownNation. June 2, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
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