Antonio Bryant
Encyclopedia
Antonio Bryant is an American football
wide receiver
who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys
in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Pittsburgh
.
Bryant has also played for the Cleveland Browns
, San Francisco 49ers
and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
.
at the University of Pittsburgh
, Bryant won the Fred Biletnikoff Award
in 2000, as the most outstanding college wide receiver. He accomplished this feat as a sophomore; the only other person to do so was Randy Moss
until fellow Panther Larry Fitzgerald
achieved the feat in 2003. Michael Crabtree
also won the award as a sophomore in 2008 and a Freshman in 2007. Oklahoma State Wide Receiver Justin Blackmon
is the latest sophomore to win the Fred Biletnikoff Award
, which he won in 2010.
by the Dallas Cowboys
, but in 2004
, after he threw a jersey in the face of Head Coach Bill Parcells
, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns
for wide receiver Quincy Morgan
.
and 2005
seasons with the Browns before becoming a free agent.
with the 49ers in 2006
.
On March 1, 2007 Bryant was released by the 49ers because of clashes with head coach Mike Nolan
. This came one year after he signed a four year, $14 million dollar contract.
. He had a career game on Monday Night Football
against the Carolina Panthers
. He had 9 receptions for 200 yards, including a one-handed touchdown catch dubbed "catch of the year". Despite his performance, the Buccaneers lost 38-23. Bryant finished the 2008 season with 83 catches for 1,248 yards and 7 touchdowns while averaging 15 yards per catch. He was the Buccaneers' leading receiver. On February 18, 2009, Bryant was given the franchise tag
by the Buccaneers, which he accepted on February 26, 2009. On February 25, 2010, after a somewhat disappointing and injury-plagued season, Antonio Bryant was released by the Buccaneers.
worth a reported $28 million, along with multiple incentives.
After the Bengals signing of WR Terrell Owens
, Bryant gave up his number 81 for Owens, who has worn the number his entire career. In return for the number, Bryant requested Owens make a donation to his charity. About the number switch Bryant said: "I'm a realist," "I said, 'Hey, man, I'm not going to make no big spectacle about it. You've got a bigger legacy and a number than I do. I've been on several teams like you, but I've changed my number several times. You've had the same number."
"I don't need your money,'" Bryant said. "'All I want you to do is take care of one of my little league programs in Miami. Send them a small donation and we'll go from there.'"
He wore jersey number 19 while attending the Cincinnati Bengals training camp in Georgetown, Kentucky where Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens
, Andre Caldwell
, Jordan Shipley
, Dezmon Briscoe
, Jerome Simpson
, Matt Jones
, and Bryant himself have been catching passes from quarterbacks Carson Palmer, J.T. O'Sullivan, Jordan Palmer.
On August 29, 2010, it was announced that Antonio Bryant's contract was terminated by the Bengals, making him a free agent.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft
2002 NFL Draft
The 2002 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft took place April 20–21, 2002 at the theater at...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Panthers football
Pittsburgh Panthers football is the intercollegiate football team of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Traditionally the most popular sport at the university, Pitt football has played at the highest level of American college football...
.
Bryant has also played for the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
.
College career
While playing college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
, Bryant won the Fred Biletnikoff Award
Fred Biletnikoff Award
The Fred Biletnikoff Award has been presented since 1994 to America's top college football receiver by the TQC Foundation, Inc. , an independent not-for-profit organization which created the award in 1994 and has sponsored it since...
in 2000, as the most outstanding college wide receiver. He accomplished this feat as a sophomore; the only other person to do so was Randy Moss
Randy Moss
Randy Gene Moss is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
until fellow Panther Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
achieved the feat in 2003. Michael Crabtree
Michael Crabtree
Michael Alex Crabtree is an American football wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the 49ers with the 10th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football for Texas Tech, where he received recognition as one of the nation's...
also won the award as a sophomore in 2008 and a Freshman in 2007. Oklahoma State Wide Receiver Justin Blackmon
Justin Blackmon
Justin Blackmon is an American football wide receiver. He currently attends Oklahoma State University–Stillwater in his junior season. He is considered one of the best wide receivers of his class....
is the latest sophomore to win the Fred Biletnikoff Award
Fred Biletnikoff Award
The Fred Biletnikoff Award has been presented since 1994 to America's top college football receiver by the TQC Foundation, Inc. , an independent not-for-profit organization which created the award in 1994 and has sponsored it since...
, which he won in 2010.
Dallas Cowboys
Bryant was selected in the 2002 NFL Draft2002 NFL Draft
The 2002 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft took place April 20–21, 2002 at the theater at...
by the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
, but in 2004
2004 NFL season
The 2004 NFL season was the 85th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 9, 2004 to January 2, 2005...
, after he threw a jersey in the face of Head Coach Bill Parcells
Bill Parcells
Duane Charles "Bill" Parcells is a former American football head coach, most recently with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006...
, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
for wide receiver Quincy Morgan
Quincy Morgan
Quincy Demond Earl Morgan is an American football free agent wide receiver in the National Football League who has played for the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Denver Broncos...
.
Cleveland Browns
Bryant spent the 20042004 NFL season
The 2004 NFL season was the 85th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 9, 2004 to January 2, 2005...
and 2005
2005 NFL season
The 2005 NFL season was the 86th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 8, 2005 to January 1, 2006...
seasons with the Browns before becoming a free agent.
San Francisco 49ers
Bryant would later sign as a free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
with the 49ers in 2006
2006 NFL season
The 2006 NFL season was the 87th regular season of the National Football League.Regular season play was held from September 7 to December 31, 2006...
.
On March 1, 2007 Bryant was released by the 49ers because of clashes with head coach Mike Nolan
Mike Nolan
Mike Nolan is an American football coach and the current defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins...
. This came one year after he signed a four year, $14 million dollar contract.
Reinstatement
On September 17, 2007, Bryant was reinstated by the league, but was not able to sign with a team, partly because of a failed drug test over the summer. In October 2007, he filed a lawsuit against the NFL to try to get them to stop drug testing him since he is not currently a player, and to drop the failed drug test. In December 2007, the case was resolved without the details being released.Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On March 10, 2008, Bryant signed a deal for the veteran minimum with the Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
. He had a career game on Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
against the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
. He had 9 receptions for 200 yards, including a one-handed touchdown catch dubbed "catch of the year". Despite his performance, the Buccaneers lost 38-23. Bryant finished the 2008 season with 83 catches for 1,248 yards and 7 touchdowns while averaging 15 yards per catch. He was the Buccaneers' leading receiver. On February 18, 2009, Bryant was given the franchise tag
Franchise Tag
In the National Football League, the franchise tag is a designation a team may apply to a player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. The tag binds the player to the team for one year if certain conditions are met. Each team has access each year to only one franchise tag and one...
by the Buccaneers, which he accepted on February 26, 2009. On February 25, 2010, after a somewhat disappointing and injury-plagued season, Antonio Bryant was released by the Buccaneers.
Cincinnati Bengals
On March 10, 2010 Bryant signed a 4-year contract with the Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
worth a reported $28 million, along with multiple incentives.
After the Bengals signing of WR Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Owens has been one of the dominant receivers of his era...
, Bryant gave up his number 81 for Owens, who has worn the number his entire career. In return for the number, Bryant requested Owens make a donation to his charity. About the number switch Bryant said: "I'm a realist," "I said, 'Hey, man, I'm not going to make no big spectacle about it. You've got a bigger legacy and a number than I do. I've been on several teams like you, but I've changed my number several times. You've had the same number."
"I don't need your money,'" Bryant said. "'All I want you to do is take care of one of my little league programs in Miami. Send them a small donation and we'll go from there.'"
He wore jersey number 19 while attending the Cincinnati Bengals training camp in Georgetown, Kentucky where Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Owens has been one of the dominant receivers of his era...
, Andre Caldwell
Andre Caldwell
Andre Jerome "Bubba" Caldwell is an American professional football player who is a wide receiver in the National Football League . Caldwell played college football for the University of Florida, and currently plays for the Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL.-Early years:Caldwell was born in Tampa,...
, Jordan Shipley
Jordan Shipley
Jordan Shipley is an American football player who currently plays wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League . He was drafted by Cincinnati in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
, Dezmon Briscoe
Dezmon Briscoe
Dezmon Jerrod Briscoe is an American football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Kansas.-Early years:Briscoe was born in Dallas, Texas to...
, Jerome Simpson
Jerome Simpson
Jerome Louis Simpson is an American football wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bengals in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
, Matt Jones
Matt Jones (American football)
Matthew Jones is a former American football wide receiver . He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft, and retired officially in November 2010. He played college football at Arkansas....
, and Bryant himself have been catching passes from quarterbacks Carson Palmer, J.T. O'Sullivan, Jordan Palmer.
On August 29, 2010, it was announced that Antonio Bryant's contract was terminated by the Bengals, making him a free agent.