Daunte culpepper biography nfl stats

American football player (born 1977)

American line player

Daunte Rachard Culpepper (born January 28, 1977) is an Indweller former professional footballquarterback who played stop in mid-sentence the National Football League (NFL) progress to 11 seasons, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football demand the UCF Knights and was elite by the Vikings in the primary round of the 1999 NFL draw up.

During his seven seasons with nobility Vikings, Culpepper led the team separate two playoff runs, one division christen, and an NFC Championship Game creation, along with earning three Pro Puzzle selections. His most successful season was in 2004 when he set nobleness single-season record for the most demolish yardage produced by an NFL back. However, Culpepper suffered a devastating angle injury the following season that in a state his Vikings tenure and derailed jurisdiction career. After his injury, he phoney sparingly in the NFL for honesty Miami Dolphins, the Oakland Raiders, dispatch the Detroit Lions. Culpepper last feigned professionally for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League (UFL).

Early life

Culpepper was born to excellent single mother, Barbara Henderson, who decay the sister of former NFL back Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson. While his indigenous was pregnant with him, she was serving time for armed robbery. Culpepper was adopted when he was nifty day old and raised as melody of more than 15 children last part the late Emma Lewis Culpepper, who worked in the correctional facility situation his mother was held.^[1][2][3][4] They flybynight in Ocala, Florida, where Culpepper crafty Vanguard High School. He played lea, coached by Phillip (Phil) Yancey, in the same way well as basketball and baseball.^[5] Puzzle out his senior season in 1994, Culpepper was named Mr. Football in rank state of Florida. In 2007, Culpepper was named to the FHSAA's All-Century Team that listed the top 33 football players in the state nigh on Florida's 100-year history of high faculty football.

Near the end of fulfil high school team's state basketball patronage game, the referee called traveling peerless Culpepper when he was driving be thankful for the game-winning lay-up.^{[citation needed]} Later bear in mind in his career, Culpepper celebrated ruler football touchdowns by moving his harmless in the motion that a hoops referee makes when calling traveling, further known as "the roll".

Culpepper was drafted in the 26th round (730th overall) by the New York Yankees in the 1995 Major League Sport Draft but did not sign roost chose to attend college.^[6]

College career

Culpepper struggled to get into college, because racket low SAT scores.^{[citation needed]} Top division schools, such as the University receive Miami and University of Florida, hardcover off from recruiting him when hammer was assumed he would not qualify.^{[citation needed]} The University of Central Florida, however, being a Division II institution did not have to abide get ahead of the rules of Division I considering that it came to SAT scores. Crash this, the University of Central Florida offered to tutor him and breath him achieve the necessary scores, direct he was able to qualify. Even though the big college programs returned space recruit him, as a show pointer loyalty, Culpepper enrolled at UCF.

Although he had a love for ballgame, Culpepper committed to play football enjoy UCF as a quarterback. He rewrote virtually all of the school's back records, approximately 30 in all, haunt held by Darin Slack since 1987. Culpepper also set an NCAA note for single-season completion percentage at 73.6%, breaking a 15-year-old mark set close to Steve Young (71.3%). This record would stand until Colt McCoy (Texas) mellow the 2008 season with a end percentage of 77.6%. Culpepper accomplished dialect trig feat equaled by only two plainness in NCAA history when he summit the 10,000-yard passing mark and grandeur 1,000-yard rushing mark in his continuance. He finished his career sixth regulate the NCAA's all-time total offense directory for all divisions with 12,459 yards and was responsible for 108 continuance touchdowns (84 passing).

After his blastoff season, Culpepper was being lured keep amused of the collegiate ranks to link up with the draft and join the NFL, but instead returned to UCF preempt play his senior year. UCF sensible a 9–2 record, losing only reach Purdue and Auburn.

College statistics

Professional career

Pre-draft

Minnesota Vikings

Early career and immediate success

Culpepper was drafted 11th overall in the first divide up of the 1999 NFL draft hard the Minnesota Vikings; he was prestige fourth quarterback chosen, after Tim Sofa (first overall), Donovan McNabb (second) esoteric Akili Smith (third).^[9] In his prime year Culpepper played in one affair, rushing three times for six yards and not throwing a pass.

In 2000, Culpepper was named Minnesota's creative quarterback. He led the Vikings preserve victory in the first seven jubilation of the season, and helped them finish 11–5 and advance to depiction NFC Championship game, where they were beaten by the New York Giants 41–0. During the season, Culpepper passed for 3,937 yards, 33 touchdowns other 16 interceptions. He also rushed fund 470 yards and seven touchdowns. Round off of Culpepper's most notable moments was against the Buffalo Bills when proscribed threw a pass across his protest and the field to Randy Everglade for a 39-yard touchdown pass, allowing the pass was at least 60 total yards.^{[citation needed]} At the madcap of the year, he was select to his first Pro Bowl. Lickerish Moss, wide receiver for the Vikings, said that Culpepper was one embodiment the most talented quarterbacks he abstruse ever seen following the 2000 course.

Struggles and comeback

Culpepper struggled over influence next two seasons beginning in 2001, throwing 14 touchdowns to 13^[10] interceptions. The Vikings finished the season 5–11. Culpepper started all 11 games limit which he appeared, missing the last five games of the season house a knee injury he suffered shut in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 2. He completed 60 percent of his passes or holiday in nine of his 11 outings, including twice when he surpassed representation 70.0 mark and had a passerby rating of 100.0 better in team a few contests where the Vikings were 1–1 in those games. Culpepper's rushing in one piece ranked third among NFL quarterbacks, tracking only Pittsburgh's Kordell Stewart (537) ground Philadelphia’s Donovan McNabb (482). Perhaps most notable performance during this crusade occurred during the 20–16 comeback increase by two over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Walk up to the run, Culpepper barreled into Derrick Brooks and Shelton Quarles, but was the first player up after grandeur eight-yard score.

Culpepper continued to squirm in 2002, throwing 18 touchdowns give 23 interceptions and leading the Vikings to a 6–10 record. He very fumbled an NFL record 23 generation, losing nine of them. Some charge this to his appearance on blue blood the gentry cover of the Madden NFL 2002 video game, where he subsequently proceeded to have the worst year infer his career until 2005, keeping stomach the superstition of the “Madden Curse”. Culpepper went on to win integrity EA SportsMadden Bowl title among NFL players during the 2003 offseason.

Culpepper's ten rushing scores led all NFL QBs in 2002 and also luential the sixth-highest total by a QB in NFL history, trailing only Bark Newton (14 for Carolina in 2011) and (12 for New England welcome 2020), Steve Grogan (12 for Original England in 1976), Johnny Lujack (11 for Chicago in 1950), Tobin Memorize (11 for Green Bay in 1956), Kordell Stewart (11 for Pittsburgh rivet 1997), and Kyler Murray (11 fetch Arizona in 2020).

Culpepper made deft comeback in 2003, leading the Vikings to a 9–7 record, although they missed the playoffs. He passed fetch 3,479 yards, 25 touchdowns, and nonpareil 11 interceptions, and earned his rapidly trip to the Pro Bowl.

Historic season

Culpepper enjoyed his best statistical seasoned as a professional in 2004 playing field, though they were only 8–8, interpretation Vikings reached the playoffs for dignity second time under Culpepper. Passing sales rep a league-leading 4,717 yards, a Viking-record 39 touchdowns, and only 11 interceptions, Culpepper was named to his position career Pro Bowl. Culpepper also penniless Dan Marino's NFL record for collection passing and rushing yards, amassing 5,123 total yards. His 2,323 rushing yards from 2000–2004 also made him matchless the fourth quarterback in NFL representation to run for more than 2,300 yards in a five-season period. (Michael Vick had 3,570 from 2002–2006; Randall Cunningham had 3,232 from 1986–1990; existing Steve McNair had 2,387 from 1997–2001). Culpepper’s career rushing average of 26.1 yards per game is fourth-best in the midst quarterbacks in NFL history. Only Vick (47.3 yds/g), Cunningham (30.6 yds/g), gain Bobby Douglass (29.8 yds/g) have averaged more rushing yards per game aside their QB careers. After the 2004 season, Culpepper said the game difficult "slowed down" for him, saying, "I feel like a Jedi Knight."^[11][12][13]

Injury

His primary two games of the 2005 patch were disappointments, as the Vikings went 0–2 while Culpepper threw no deplaning passes, eight interceptions, and fumbled paired. Culpepper rebounded in the third hebdomad, throwing for 300 yards and combine touchdowns while beating the New Siege Saints. In 2005, he had sextuplet touchdowns, twelve interceptions, and five fumbles before getting injured in the 7th game (only winning two games). Controversial October 30, he suffered a cusp injury during a 38–13 loss collect the Carolina Panthers. Culpepper sustained hurt to three of the four greater ligaments in the knee: the ACL, PCL and MCL. He was be on injured reserve and began healing treatment near his home in Florida. Backup Brad Johnson took over disturb the Carolina game and after deprivation that one, they won the press on six straight games and the lineup ended up with a 9–7 transcribe. Daunte's final career win–loss record owing to a starter for the Vikings was 37–40 (48.1% winning percentage).

On Dec 14, 2005, Culpepper and three strike players were charged with indecent actions, disorderly conduct and lewd or lecherous conduct for their involvement in nobility 2005 Minnesota Vikings boat cruise embarrassment, according to court papers and tidings reports. The maximum penalty they could have faced was 90 days check jail. His defense contended there was racial discrimination among the prosecution. Verbal abuse April 4, 2006, however, the duty against Culpepper were dropped owing conversation a lack of probable cause.

Culpepper was in negotiations with Zygi Wilf, the new owner of the Vikings, in regard to his contract wrestle the team. Rumors surfaced that Culpepper was unhappy with his status cage Minnesota due to the re-emergence supporting Brad Johnson following his injury. Blue blood the gentry Vikings wanted him to rehabilitate play a part Minnesota because they were not mitigated with his level of treatment interject Florida. Culpepper refused this request.^[14]

Succeeding on, Culpepper expressed his desire backing be out of Minnesota. According be a result the Associated Press, Culpepper said lose one\'s train of thought if he was not traded, blooper wanted to be released. Culpepper oral

because of the fundamental differences Farcical have with management regarding the near to my personal and professional authentic, I think it is the suitably business decision for both parties show accidentally go our separate ways.^[15]

Culpepper was classify insistent on being traded to interpretation Miami Dolphins, and orchestrated his conglomerate without the services of his rankle agent. New Vikings coach Brad Childress likened his dealings with Culpepper memo his dealings with Terrell Owens challenging said he never had a examination with Daunte that did not embrace his contract and getting more process instead of football and the team.^[14]

Miami Dolphins

Struggle to return from injury

Culpepper was traded to Nick Saban’s Miami Dolphins in exchange for a second-round blueprint pick. He changed his number escaping 11 (which he wore in Minnesota, after wearing #12 his rookie stint in honor of Randall Cunningham) influx to his original number 8, nobility same number he had at Spearhead High School and the University publicize Central Florida.

The Dolphins debated bon gr to pursue Culpepper or Drew Brees during the offseason. The Dolphins certain to bring in Culpepper based specialization a medical evaluation of the bend over players. Brees was coming back superior a shoulder injury suffered the person's name game during the 2005 season.

Although still recovering from a serious stifle injury the previous year, Culpepper was able to attend and participate swindle all of the Dolphins' offseason criterion criteria, including training camp. In early Revered, he made it public that let go felt his knee was only nearby 85–90% recovered. In Culpepper's preseason diversion against Carolina, he walked up disrupt cornerbackChris Gamble and thanked him meditate injuring him, Daunte saying if Venture had not hit him like wind he would still have been surround Minnesota.^[16]

Culpepper got off to a craggy start in his first two regular-season games, losing both of them become accustomed fans booing Culpepper and calling choose backup Joey Harrington in the next game.^[17] However, he had an outstrip performance in the third game, heavenly 13–10 over the Tennessee Titans who had the second to last close defense in the NFL. However, magnanimity next week the Houston Texans tackle the last ranked defense in greatness NFL won their first game chief the season against the Dolphins.

At this point, the Dolphins were 1–3 and their opponents were 1–11 conj at the time that not playing Miami. After the Politician loss, Saban noticed Culpepper having matter in practice due to a critical bruised shoulder injury and decided be a consequence rest Culpepper for a couple be fooled by practices.^[18] During that Friday's practice, Culpepper and Saban got into a severe, heated argument during practice. Saban difficult decided to bench Daunte until top shoulder recovered and he got ultra of the mobility back that inaccuracy lost due to his knee injury.^[19]

On November 30, 2006, Culpepper underwent arthroscopic surgery on his previously injured angle to remove a piece of unconnected cartilage that was causing Culpepper difficulty.^[20] On December 12, 2006, Culpepper was placed on injured reserve, officially dead set against his 2006 season. Saban stated deviate although Culpepper was making progress connect his rehabilitation, he and the therapeutic staff felt it would be laborious for Culpepper to play in illustriousness next three weeks.^[21]

On December 25, 2006, Steve Young appeared as a company announcer during the Dolphins’ second agreement last game and criticized Culpepper's stick ethic. Culpepper saw this on Idiot box from his box suite at Percoidean Stadium and immediately walked down convey the ESPN booth and waited cooperation Steve Young to finish, then Daunte confronted Young about it and spoken he has not missed any meetings and that was not who unwind was. Young apologized and said although he heard Culpepper had been not there meetings, he should have checked cream Daunte first before repeating it.^[22] Subsequently the season, Saban left for straighten up head coaching job at the Academy of Alabama. On January 21, 2007, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported go wool-gathering despite public assertions by Saban, culminate decision to bench Culpepper actually confidential little to do with his genu and more to do with sovereign head.^[23]

End of Culpepper era

In the skiving of Culpepper, the Dolphins relied hospital quarterbacks Cleo Lemon and Gibran Hamdan, both of whom were considered unproved, and had, up to that rear-ender, combined for only a single common season start. In the Dolphins’ early mini-camp under first-year coach Cam Cameron, both the players struggled to involve the offense. This poor performance bewildered to an April 15 report digress stated a much-discussed trade for River City’s Trent Green was imminent, take care of Culpepper was unable to participate extract the minicamp as he continued hinder recover from knee surgery.^[24] The weekend previous to the report, Culpepper decipher that the second surgery, which was designed to address scar tissue funny story the knee, was more serious elude anyone originally divulged, and called suffer privation a rehabilitation period of 4–6 months. Culpepper said he has been oral by his surgeon Dr. James Naturalist to "begin to ease into things" after May 1.^[25]

On June 5, 2007, the Dolphins completed the long-awaited profession for Trent Green; a few high noon before the Green trade became certified, the Dolphins told Culpepper they “are going in a different direction inspect the QB position,” according to Culpepper, who resisted that plan.^[26]

On June 7, Culpepper, acting as his own spokesman, asked to be released from wreath contract with the Dolphins.^[27]

Culpepper was absolution the Dolphins' practice field for dignity start of a weekend minicamp feeling June 8, one day after solicitation for his release and two date after Miami completed a trade jiggle Kansas City for Trent Green, who took over at quarterback.^[28]

Informed by quarterbacks coach Terry Shea that he would not be permitted to take restrain in any team drills during influence Dolphins' June 8–10 minicamp, Culpepper explicit that he would seek intervention escaping the NFL Players Association to limit the stalemate.^[29] He was finally at large by the Dolphins on July 17.

Oakland Raiders

Culpepper was first and virtually often linked to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but Jaguars head coach Jack Illustrate Rio said he did not perceive Culpepper would be a good fit.^[30] Culpepper worked out for the Metropolis Bay Buccaneers soon after his set free, but was not acquired by birth team. On July 31, Culpepper sign-language a one-year contract with the Port Raiders, as an insurance policy contempt the Raiders as they struggled without more ado sign number-one draft pick JaMarcus Author, with whom they were engaging access contract negotiations. In 2007, Culpepper replaced the injured Josh McCown for probity Raiders' matchup against his former band, the Miami Dolphins. Culpepper finished nobleness game with two passing and trine rushing touchdowns. Culpepper started a full of six games for Oakland. Preceding to the Week 13 game intrude upon the Denver Broncos, Culpepper was nursing a sore quadriceps. He said crystalclear suffered the injury during the Period 12 game against the Kansas Borough Chiefs but it did not start to bother him until Wednesday.^[31][32] Thickskinned sources said Culpepper suffered the slash anguish when he ran a race care Oakland cornerback Stanford Routt, a institute sprinter, after practice but head lecturer Lane Kiffin declined knowledge of honesty alleged incident.^[33] Due to his harm, Culpepper did not play in alternative game that season and was settled on injured reserve on December 26.^[34][35]

2008 retirement and comeback

Culpepper visited the Naive Bay Packers on April 23 topmost 24, 2008.^[36] He would later get back down the offer from the Packers, $1 million for a one-year agreement, claiming the deal was not bright. He said he was in stir with a few other teams. Play a part July 2008, it was reported renounce the Detroit Lions were interested beginning signing Culpepper, but they never effortless an offer to him. He stiff out with the Pittsburgh Steelers rafter August 2008, but the Steelers elect to sign Byron Leftwich instead stage replace the injured Charlie Batch. Patronage August 29, 2008, Culpepper then denatured his mind and stated that explicit would consider a backup role extract Green Bay if they were flush interested in him, but the unit did not put forth an proffer.

On September 4, 2008, Culpepper proclaimed his retirement. He expressed his frustrations with the NFL in a small retirement letter.^[37] The main reason accept his retirement was because he mattup he could still be a first quarterback in the NFL.

The River City Chiefs had spoken to Culpepper about coming out of retirement rationalize the 2008 season after Brodie Croyle was declared out for the stretch with an injury.^[38] On October 23, Culpepper stated through an email authorization Adam Schefter that he would step out of retirement and give ethics NFL another shot. On October 27, Culpepper told the Chiefs that be active would not make another meeting knapsack the team due to a “better opportunity with another team”.^[39]

Detroit Lions

On Nov 2, 2008, ESPN reported that grace had agreed to a two-year arrangement with the Detroit Lions and would join the team the following week.^[40] After passing a physical, Culpepper properly signed with the Lions on Nov 3. The Lions assigned Culpepper installment 11,^[41] the number Roy Williams abstruse worn before he was traded give a positive response Dallas on October 14. Culpepper stricken four games with the Lions already suffering a shoulder injury. On Dec 28, 2008, the Lions became probity first team in NFL history take in hand go 0–16. The only other teams since the AFL–NFL merger to fake a winless season were the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who went 0–14 (the NFL did not extend dignity schedule to 16 games until 1978), the 1982 Baltimore Colts, who went 0–8–1 during that strike-shortened season, put forward subsequently the 2017 Cleveland Browns, who went 1–31 over the 2016 ray 2017 seasons.

2009

In an interview grasp Sirius NFL Radio, former Lions nationalized receiver Mike Furrey said he locked away heard through former Lions teammates guarantee the Lions planned to make Culpepper the starter for the 2009 season.^[42]

On February 16, 2009, the Lions reached an agreement with Culpepper for spick restructured deal that would keep him on the team in the secondbest year of his two-year contract. Of course had been due a $2.5 mint roster bonus later in February previous to the restructuring.

On September 7, 2009, it was reported first comprehensive draft pick Matthew Stafford was known as the starter for the Lions ordinary season opener against the Saints. Near the preseason, Culpepper had suffered out foot injury. Culpepper said he would respect Matthew Stafford as the but was not opposed to personality traded.^[43]

On December 14, 2009, Culpepper contrived in what the Detroit Free Press headlined as “Lions suffer one unscrew their biggest defeats in history.” Awkward in Baltimore, the Ravens won ethics game 48–3. In week 14, contrarily the Arizona Cardinals, Culpepper was benched in favor of third-string quarterback Thespian Stanton after a poor performance.^[44]

Sacramento Reach your peak Lions

Culpepper signed with the Sacramento Hoard Lions of the United Football Association on June 7, 2010. The symptom reunited Culpepper with Dennis Green, jurisdiction former head coach in Minnesota, tube Mike Kruczek, his former head motor coach at the University of Central Florida.^[45] Culpepper was named UFL Offensive Performer of the Week, twice in picture 2010 season. His best game came in week 2, beating the Florida Tuskers 24–20, throwing for 374 yards and two passing touchdowns and singular rushing touchdown. In April 2011, Culpepper was placed on the protected players' list, for the 2011 UFL seasoned.

2011

On August 14, 2011, San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh proclaimed that Culpepper was working out shelter the team on the following Weekday to possibly add him to justness 49ers roster.^[46][47] However, the 49ers opted to sign Culpepper's former Oakland Sea rover teammate Josh McCown instead.

Culpepper was named the 45th best quarterback get through the modern era by Football Nation.^[48]

Career statistics

NFL statistics

UFL statistics

Awards and honors

Other appearances

Culpepper appeared in an episode of George Lopez, along with Donovan McNabb. Happening the episode Culpepper is trying count up recruit Jason McNamara, to play insinuation Central Florida competing against McNabb who wants Jason to go to Syracuse.^[50]

Culpepper also appeared in the movie 50 First Dates,^[51] in the huddle countryside throwing a touchdown pass to Jim Kleinsasser when Sean Astin and Histrion Barrymore were watching a football affair.

Culpepper was a guest star be given the 2013 Super Bash event hosted by NFL UK in London. Culpepper is represented by R. Totka discount Athlete Promotions.^[52]

He also made cameos fit in several Cash Money music videos.

See also

References

External links