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Rick Spielman
Richard Spielman (born December 2, 1962) is an American football executive who was most recently the general manager of the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL) from 2012 to 2022. He was promoted to general manager in 2012 after spending 2006–2011 as the team's vice president of player personnel. He formerly worked for ESPN on ''NFL Live''. Spielman is a graduate of Massillon Washington High School located in Massillon, Ohio and is the older brother of Chris Spielman, former Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills linebacker. Playing career Spielman played linebacker at Southern Illinois University (1983–86), earning first-team All- Gateway Conference honoree as a junior. He was also part of the 1983 NCAA Division I-AA national championship team as a redshirt freshman. Upon entering the NFL, as an undrafted free agent, he was invited to training camp with the San Diego Chargers (1987) and Detroit Lions (1988), but did not make it as a professional football player ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Canton, Ohio
Canton () is a city in and the county seat of Stark County, Ohio. It is located approximately south of Cleveland and south of Akron in Northeast Ohio. The city lies on the edge of Ohio's extensive Amish country, particularly in Holmes and Wayne counties to the city's west and southwest. As of the 2020 Census, the population of Canton was 70,872, making Canton eighth among Ohio cities in population. It is the largest municipality in the Canton–Massillon metropolitan area, which includes all of Stark and Carroll counties, and was home to 401,574 residents in 2020. Founded in 1805 alongside the Middle and West Branches of Nimishillen Creek, Canton became a heavy manufacturing center because of its numerous railroad lines. However, its status in that regard began to decline during the late 20th century, as shifts in the manufacturing industry led to the relocation or downsizing of many factories and workers. After this decline, the city's industry diversified into the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Redshirt (college Sports)
Redshirt, in United States college athletics, is a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen their period of eligibility. Typically, a student's athletic eligibility in a given sport is four seasons, aligning with the four years of academic classes typically required to earn a bachelor's degree at an American college or university. However, in a redshirt year, student athletes may attend classes at the college or university, practice with an athletic team, and "suit up" (wear a team uniform) for play – but they may compete in only a limited number of games (see " Use of status" section). Using this mechanism, a student athlete has at most five academic years to use the four years of eligibility, thus becoming what is termed a fifth-year senior. Etymology and origin According to ''Merriam-Webster'' and '' Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged'', the term ''redshirt'' comes from the red jersey commonly worn by such a player in prac ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Blair Walsh
Blair Richard Walsh (born January 8, 1990) is an American football placekicker who is a free agent. Walsh played college football at Georgia and was selected by the Vikings in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. In his first year, Walsh set the NFL records for the most field goals of 50 or more yards in a season and the highest field goal percentage by a rookie. He also earned Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors. However, after missing a game-winning kick during the 2015 playoffs, Walsh struggled the following season, which led to his release from Minnesota. Walsh later spent one season with the Seattle Seahawks. High school career left, Walsh at the 2008 U.S. Army All-American Bowl Walsh attended Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and played football for coach Michael Morill as their punter and placekicker. As a senior, he made 14 of 20 field goal attempts and 30 of 31 extra point attempts. Twice he hit field goals from 59 yards. Walsh also ave ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Harrison Smith (American Football)
Harrison Smith (born February 2, 1989) is an American football safety for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Notre Dame and was drafted by the Vikings in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft with the 29th overall pick. In 2017, Smith was graded the third-best player in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. His season grade of 98.8 was also the highest among safeties in Pro Football Focus history. He was named to his third straight Pro Bowl on January 22, 2018 and was named first-team All-Pro. He followed with a 4th consecutive Pro Bowl in 2019 and second-team All-Pro. High school career Smith, who was named by his parents after actor Harrison Ford, attended Knoxville Catholic High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. In his senior season, he gained 1,340 yards rushing to go with 19 touchdowns, caught 23 passes for 453 yards and six touchdowns, and also made 61 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, and caused two fumbles o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Matt Kalil
Matthew Francis Kalil (born July 6, 1989) is a former American football offensive tackle. He played college football at USC and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings fourth overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. He was also a member of the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans. High school career Kalil attended Servite High School in Anaheim, California, where he played for the Servite Friars high school football team. He made the 2005 Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomore first-team. As a junior in 2006, he made Cal-Hi Sports All-State first-team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass first-team, All-CIF Pac-5 Division first-team, Los Angeles Times All-Star and All-Trinity League Co-Lineman of the Year. His 2007 senior season honors included Parade All-American, Super Prep All-American, Prep Star All-American, EA Sports All-American first-team, USA Today All-USA second-team, Scout.com All-American second-team, and ESPN 150, as a senior offensive and defensive lineman at Servite High in Anah ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kyle Rudolph
Kyle Daniel Rudolph (born November 9, 1989) is an American football tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Notre Dame, and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft. He has been selected to two Pro Bowls. He also played for the New York Giants. Early years Rudolph attended Elder High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he played high school football for the Panthers. As a junior, he caught 30 passes for 400 yards and seven touchdowns en route to earning first-team All-city and All-conference honors. As a senior in 2008, he was named first-team All-American by ''USA Today'' after totaling 37 receptions for 673 yards (18.2 yards per catch) and 11 touchdowns. He was placed on the Scout.com All-America first-team and was the lone tight end among the 11 finalists for the high school Maxwell Award. He received first-team All-Southwest Ohio as a senior after being nam ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Christian Ponder
Christian Andrew Ponder (born February 25, 1988) is a former American football quarterback. He played for the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers. He played college football at Florida State, and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings with the 12th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Ponder had an up-and-down career with the Vikings. He started all 16 games and helped lead the team to a playoff berth in 2012, but also suffered several injuries and inconsistent play, eventually being benched in favor of rookie Teddy Bridgewater in 2014; he totaled a 14–21–1 record in his four seasons with the Vikings. He then spent time in a backup role for the Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers, but never took another NFL snap before retiring in 2016. Since December 2012, Ponder has been married to ESPN personality Samantha Ponder. Early years Ponder was born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in Grapevine, Texas. His father, David Ponder, played college f ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Toby Gerhart
Tobin Bo Gunnar Gerhart (born March 28, 1987) is a former American football running back. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football for Stanford University, and was a unanimous All-American. In 2009 Gerhart won the Doak Walker Award and was the runner-up for the 2009 Heisman Trophy. He received 1,276 points in the Heisman voting, coming in second to Mark Ingram II, who received 1,304 points; the 28-point margin was the closest vote in Heisman history. Gerhart had a breakout senior season in 2009, leading all running backs in the nation in rushing yards, touchdowns, and points scored, and setting several Pac-10 and school records. He held the Stanford record for most rushing yards in a season (1,871) until Christian McCaffrey broke it in 2015, and still holds Cardinal records for touchdowns in a season (28) and most touchdowns in a career (44). Early years Gerhart was born in Norco, California. He had a reco ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chris Cook (American Football)
Christopher O'Shea Cook (born February 15, 1987) is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at Virginia and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. High school career Cook attended Heritage High School in Lynchburg, Virginia. He played running back, wide receiver and quarterback on offense, and cornerback on defense. He rushed for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns and caught 10 passes for 250 yards and three more scores as a senior, he also threw six TD passes. He was named first-team all-state defensive back as a junior when he made more than 50 tackles and intercepted eight passes. Considered a three-star by ''Rivals.com'', Cook accepted a scholarship to Virginia over Virginia Tech. College career Cook started 31-of-38 games for the Virginia Cavaliers, collecting 143 tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery for a touchdown, 19 passes breakups and seven interceptions, two which he r ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Phil Loadholt
Philip Loadholt Jr. (born January 21, 1986) is a former American football offensive tackle. He played college football at Oklahoma, and played for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL) from 2009 until his retirement in 2015. High school career Loadholt attended Fountain Middle School and Fountain-Fort Carson High School in Fountain, Colorado, where he was a two-way lineman, team captain and a two-time All-State selection. His senior year of football ended in the second round to Palisade High School; in that match-up, he played against another two-time All-State selection, Matt Popick. In his senior year he also had 113 tackles along with eight touchdowns and was named Colorado Springs Area Player of the Year. He obtained a 1.23 GPA throughout his high school career as well. Also a standout in basketball and track, Loadholt led Fountain-Fort Carson's basketball team to the state title game when he averaged 17 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks per game. In t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Percy Harvin
William Percival Harvin III (born May 28, 1988) is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at Florida, when the Gators won the BCS National Championship in 2006 and 2008, and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL) in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Harvin also played for the Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets and Buffalo Bills. He was named the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2009 and won Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seahawks in 2013 over the Denver Broncos. He attended and played football for Landstown High School in Virginia Beach, where his team won the high school state championship in 2004. Early life Harvin was born to William Percival Harvin, Jr. and wife Linda in Chesapeake, Virginia, where after his father's departure, he lived with his mother and his older sister, Lintera. His mother, Linda, ran a daycare out of their home as Harvin helped with the children. Harvin's mother ran trac ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John Sullivan (center)
John Sullivan (born August 8, 1985) is a former American football center. He played college football at Notre Dame and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft, later playing for the Washington Redskins and Los Angeles Rams. Early years Sullivan was born in Mount Kisco, New York, but grew up in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. He attended Greenwich High School in Greenwich, the same high school that produced former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young. There, Sullivan was a Parade and Super Prep All-American, as well as USA Today and ESPN.com second-team prep All-American. He was also named Gatorade Player of the Year in Connecticut. Sullivan was originally an Offensive Tackle as a freshman at Greenwich High School but was then converted to center after the starting center came down with the flu. He was a starter at center during the final three seasons, but also played as a defensive tackle on defense. He was named offensive MVP by the C ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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