Beaton was a first round draft pick of the BC Lions in the 1991 CFL College Draft.  Before playing any games for the Leos, Beaton was traded in September of 1992 to Ottawa for DB Brett Young.  Beaton joined the Rough Riders in 1993 and played two seasons in Ottawa.  Beaton became a free agent after the 1994 season and was signed by the Calgary Stampeders.  When the U.S. based teams folded after the 1995 season and the Baltimore Stallions were relocated to Montreal, a special draft was held to restock the non-import roster of the Alouttes.  Montreal made a smart choice and plucked Beaton off the Stampeders.  Beaton played two seasons in Montreal (1996-97), winning East All-Star honours in both seasons at offensive guard.  After two seasons in Montreal, Beaton became a free agent and signed with Edmonton for 1998.  Beaton played seven seasons with Edmonton from 1998 to 2003 and then coming back to play again in 2005 after sitting out 2004.  In those seven seasons Beaton won five more division All-Stars to raise his career total to seven.  Beaton won, as a guard in 1998, and then as a tackle in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003.  Beaton also won three CFL All-Stars in those Edmonton years (2001, 2002 and 2003). Beaton was nominated as Edmonton's top offensive lineman five times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003), and was the CFL runner-up for the award in 2002.  Beaton was also nominated for the award once when in Montreal in 1997.