Raymond Christopher Perry (born December 27, 1981) is a former American college and professional
football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly c ...
player who was a
running back in the
National Football League (NFL) for five seasons during the mid-2000s. He played
college football
College football (french: Football universitaire) refers to gridiron football played by teams of student athletes. It was through college football play that American football rules first gained popularity in the United States.
Unlike most ...
for the
University of Michigan, and received
All-American honors. He was chosen by the
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional American football team based in Cincinnati. The Bengals compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The c ...
in the first round of the
2004 NFL Draft
The 2004 NFL draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 24–25, 2004 at the Theater at ...
, and played his entire NFL career for the Bengals.
Early years
Perry was born in
Advance, North Carolina
Advance (pronounced with the stress on the first syllable) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Davie County, North Carolina, United States. It is seventy-five miles northeast of Charlotte. As of the 2010 census it ...
. He attended
Fork Union Military Academy in
Fork Union, Virginia
Fork Union is an unincorporated community in southern Fluvanna County, Virginia, along U.S. Highway 15. Its ZIP code is 23055; the population within that ZIP code was 1148 according to the 2000 Census. It is known mainly as the home of Fork Unio ...
, where he helped his team win multiple VISFA State Championships.
College career
Perry attended the
University of Michigan, where he played for coach
Lloyd Carr's
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football team represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins in college football history. The team is known for its ...
team from 2000 to 2003. As a senior in 2003, he rushed for 1,674 yards and 18
touchdowns and finished fourth in
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy (usually known colloquially as the Heisman Trophy or The Heisman) is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard ...
voting and fourth in Michigan annals for rushing yards in a season. Perry was recognized as a consensus All-American, and also received the
Doak Walker Award, given to the nation's top running back, was the
Big Ten Conference rushing champion,
and was named the
Big Ten Conference MVP.
Perry set a Michigan game record with 51 carries in a 27–20 win over
Michigan State
Michigan State University (Michigan State, MSU) is a public land-grant research university in East Lansing, Michigan. It was founded in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, the first of its kind in the United States. It i ...
on November 1, 2003. He finished his career at Michigan fifth on the school's career rushing list with 3,696 yards and third in rushing touchdowns with 39.
Professional career
Cincinnati Bengals
Perry was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round (26th overall) in the
2004 NFL Draft
The 2004 NFL draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 24–25, 2004 at the Theater at ...
. He made his NFL debut at the
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. Founded in , the Steel ...
on October 3, but he played only two games in his
rookie season with the Bengals due to injuries.
Perry played in the
2005 season, complementing
Pro Bowl running back
Rudi Johnson. Perry finished the 2005 season with 279 rushing yards along with 51
receptions for 328 yards and two touchdowns. His 51 receptions were the most by a Bengals running back in one season since
James Brooks caught 54 passes in 1986.
Perry fractured his leg in the 11th game of the
2006 season, ending his season. On August 27, 2008, the Bengals cut running back Rudi Johnson from the team, solidifying Perry as the starter for the 2008 season. Perry was released after the season on April 27, 2009.
NFL statistics
Cincinnati Bengals
2004 season
In the 2004 season, Perry played in only two games, starting neither of them. He ran the ball twice, gaining 1 yard, with a long of 1 yard and no touchdowns, for an average of 0.5 yds/carry. However, he caught three receptions for 33 yards, with a long of 13 yards and no touchdowns, for an average of 11 yds/reception. He never fumbled.
2005 season
In 2005, he played in 14 games, only starting two. He rushed 61 times for 279 yards.
Career statistics
College
See also
*
Michigan Wolverines football statistical leaders
References
External links
Cincinnati Bengals bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Perry, Chris
1981 births
Living people
African-American players of American football
All-American college football players
American football running backs
Cincinnati Bengals players
Michigan Wolverines football players
People from Davie County, North Carolina
Players of American football from North Carolina
21st-century African-American sportspeople
20th-century African-American people