Shalon Baker, born August 22, 1973, was a resident of Vancouver, Washington, an award winning Canadian Football League player and was a player/coach in the Arena Football League for many years.

Playing with the University of Montana Grizzlies between 1991 and 1994, Baker caught passes for 2,561 yards (third best in school history) and 26 touchdown receptions (a team record.)

He went to Canada, playing with the Edmonton Eskimos. In his first season, 1995, he had 79 catches gaining 1,156 yards and 5 touchdowns, and won the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie Award. He played in the CFL for 2 more years, but did not enjoy the same success due to coaching and quarterback changes, and after one season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1997, he left the CFL.

Baker started playing with the San Jose Sabercats of the Arena Football League in 1998 as a wide receiver/linebacker. This was the beginning of a 7 year career, in which Baker would catch 261 passes for 3551 yards and 61 touchdowns. He would also make 128 tackles and 7 interceptions.

Baker ended his playing career as the All-Time leader in assisted tackles and ranks in the top 10 in 9 categories for the San Jose Sabercats. In 2006 he began a new career as the Offensive Coordinator of the World Champion San Jose Sabercats. Under Baker's direction the 2006 Sabercats became the most prolific offense in the history of the Arena Football league. Baker credits is success to Terry Malley his long time mentor, coach and the current Offensive Coordinator of the San Jose Sabercats.

Baker is now a single father of daughters Kailyn, Quincy and Kendal. He owns an import/export business and is a football conditioning coach as well as an offensive quality control coach at Chandler High School in Chandler, Arizona^[1].

"There is nothing more important to me than the unconditional love of my wife and daughter. I would give all this success and wealth away any moment for them. Everything I do is from my heart and what you saw this year was a true blessing from God. Not a day goes by where I do not thank him not only for being here but for my lovely wife Amy and daughter Kailyn." ~Edmonton 1997

[edit] Childhood

Baker grew up in Vancouver, Washington, and graduated from Evergreen High School in 1991.

[edit] External links

• AFL stats

[edit] References

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