If you are a fan of American football, you might have wondered if Sammie Coates, the wide receiver for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL), is related to Ben Coates, the former tight end for the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Both players share the same surname and have played in the same position, but are they actually family members? Here is what we found out.
Sammie Coates: A Big Play Threat
Sammie Coates was born on March 31, 1993, in Leroy, Alabama. He played college football at Auburn University, where he was part of the team that played in the 2013 SEC Championship Game and 2014 BCS National Championship Game. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft
Coates was known for his ability to make big plays, having 14 catches for 30+ yards in his sophomore season at Auburn He also set a school record with 206 receiving yards, five catches, and two touchdowns in the Iron Bowl against Alabama in 2014
In his second season with the Steelers, Coates caught a 72-yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger, marking his first career touchdown in a 31-13 win over the New York Jets. He finished the game with a career-high six receptions for 139 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions
However, Coates suffered a hand injury during that game, which affected his performance for the rest of the season. He was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2017, then signed with the Houston Texans in 2018. He also played briefly for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL before joining the CFL in 2021
Ben Coates: A Hall of Famer
Ben Coates was born on August 16, 1969, in Greenwood, South Carolina. He played college football at Livingstone College, a small school in North Carolina, where he broke nearly all meaningful records at the school. He was picked by the New England Patriots in the fifth round of the 1991 NFL Draft
Coates became one of the best tight ends in NFL history, earning five Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro honors. He also made one Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl XXXI with the Patriots. He was known for his durability, playing in every game from 1992 to 1998. He also had a strong connection with quarterback Drew Bledsoe, forming one of the most productive duos in NFL history
After nine seasons with the Patriots, Coates signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2000 and was part of the team that won Super Bowl XXXV. He retired after that season with 499 receptions for 5,555 yards and 50 touchdowns. He was named to the second NFL 1990s All-Decade Team in 2000 and inducted to the New England Patriots Hall of Fame in 2008
The Verdict: No Relation
According to our research, there is no evidence that Sammie Coates and Ben Coates are related by blood or marriage. They are not brothers, cousins, or distant relatives. They just happen to share a common surname and play a similar position in football.
However, they do have some things in common besides their name and position. They both played for teams that won Super Bowls (although Ben Coates did not play in Super Bowl XXXI due to injury). They both wore number 87 for most of their careers (although Sammie Coates switched to number 89 when he joined the Edmonton Elks). And they both have impressive records and achievements in their respective leagues.
So while Sammie Coates and Ben Coates are not related by family ties, they are certainly related by football excellence.
