Erik Ainge
Encyclopedia
Erik Douglas Ainge is a retired American football
quarterback
formerly of the New York Jets
of the National Football League
. He was drafted by the Jets in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Tennessee
.
He is the nephew of former NBA
player Danny Ainge
, who currently serves as the general manager of his former team, the Boston Celtics
.
. He was raised just outside Portland in Hillsboro, Oregon
, where he was a star athlete at Glencoe High School. As a freshman and sophomore, he played baseball
and basketball in addition to football
. Ainge was the starting
pitcher
on his baseball team and was said to throw a 90 mph fastball
. He also averaged 17 points, 8 rebounds
, and three assists
in basketball as a junior, and as a senior was a preseason honorable mention on the Street and Smith's All-American team.
He was a two-year starter at quarterback on the football
team, leading the Glencoe Crimson Tide as deep as the Oregon state quarterfinals. As a junior he passed for 2,559 yards and 16 touchdowns. As a senior, he passed for 3,078 yards, 24 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Perhaps his most impressive game as a senior came against Aloha High School
, when he passed for 475 yards, 5 touchdowns and no interceptions to lead the Crimson Tide to 62 points through three quarters of action. Following his senior season Ainge was named all-state, prep star all-American, and the 2003 Oregon Gatorade
Player of the Year. During his senior season Ainge also became one of the most highly recruited quarterbacks on the west coast receiving offers from schools like Oregon, Arizona State, UCLA, and Tennessee. He eventually signed with the University of Tennessee
.
's freshman TD record of 15. His 1,452 passing yards ranked second behind Manning in UT freshman history. Ainge split time for much of the year with Brent Schaeffer
, who later transferred to Ole Miss
. After an injury just before halftime against Notre Dame
, Ainge was replaced by former University of Tennessee quarterback Casey Clausen
's brother Rick
.
In 2005, his sophomore season, he threw 5 touchdown passes and 7 interceptions. One of his most infamous moments was in a game against LSU where he was being sacked
by LaRon Landry
in the end zone
, and flung the ball up into the air just before he was ruled down for a safety. Ainge's head also hit the goalpost on the play, tweaking his neck. As a result, Senior QB Rick Clausen took over. Ainge finished his sophomore season with a strong performance and a win at Kentucky
.
As a junior in 2006, Ainge was named the starter heading into spring practice, and for the first time in his career was able to take all of the first team reps throughout the preseason. Ainge also had a new position coach and offensive coordinator
when David Cutcliffe
replaced Randy Sanders
. He led his team to 7-1 record before being injured in the closing minutes of a game against South Carolina
. He would then miss the majority of the next two losses for Tennessee before returning to lead his team to season-ending wins against Vanderbilt
and Kentucky. During the season Ainge would set career highs in most statistical categories and break the Tennessee single-season record for completion percentage. He now owns a 17-5 record as a starter. The 2007 Outback Bowl
was the first bowl appearance for Ainge. Ainge missed the 2005 Cotton Bowl Classic due to injury, and the Vols did not qualify for a bowl game following his sophomore season.
On March 8, 2007 it was reported that Ainge would have to undergo surgery for a torn meniscus
. Ainge stated that the injury occurred during weightlifting
exercise. However, he was able to recover in time for the 2007 season.
As a senior in 2007, Ainge passed for 3,522 passing yards and 31 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. Despite throwing 513 passes his senior year Erik was only sacked 3 times. He completed 62.6 % of his passes and had a 135.48 QB rating. Ainge was able to achieve this success despite nagging injuries which hampered him all season, including a broken pinky finger on his throwing hand and a shoulder injury on his throwing arm. The strongest statistical game for Ainge was a 52-50 triple-overtime win over Kentucky in which Ainge threw 7 touchdowns and 397 yards and his Bowl win over Wisconsin (Outback Bowl) in which Ainge threw for 365 yards and two touchdowns. Erik also lead Tennessee to a 35-14 victory of Nationally ranked Georgia in which he completed 17 of 22 passes. "My time at Tennessee transformed me from an amateur football into somebody everyone knew around the country. I learned a lot, and loved my 4 years at Tennessee."
by the New York Jets
. In May 2008, Ainge underwent surgery on the little finger on his throwing hand. On July 16, he signed a four-year, $1.87 million contract with a $165,000 signing bonus.
On November 21, 2008, Ainge was suspended four games by the NFL for violating the league's policy on steroids and related substances. Ainge, already on injured reserve and out for the season with a foot injury, was not allowed to be with the team or visit the team facility during the suspension. He was able to rejoin the team December 15, 2008, following the New York Jets' game against Buffalo
.
Ainge was expected to compete with Kellen Clemens
and Kevin O'Connell
for the final quarterback roster spot on the team in 2010. It was later announced that Ainge had entered "a drug treatment/rehab facility for 'recreational issues'," marking the second time he had violated the NFL's substance abuse policy.
Ainge made an announcement to The Associated Press on June 23, 2011, stating that he would retire from the NFL due to injuries sustained to his throwing shoulder and right foot. The Jets officially released Ainge on July 29, 2011.
in March 2011, Ainge admitted that he struggled with drug and alcohol abuse from the time he was twelve years old and by his senior year at Tennessee he became addicted to pain killers. Ainge continued to struggle with these issues in the NFL before seeking out help. Ainge also admitted to suffering from rapid cycling bipolar disorder
which he has been treated for in addition to his drug and alcohol treatment.
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...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
formerly of the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the Jets in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
. 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 Tennessee
Tennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
.
He is the nephew of former NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
player Danny Ainge
Danny Ainge
Daniel Ray "Danny" Ainge is an American basketball manager and retired professional basketball and baseball player, currently serving as President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics....
, who currently serves as the general manager of his former team, the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
.
Early years
Ainge was born in Portland, OregonPortland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. He was raised just outside Portland in Hillsboro, Oregon
Hillsboro, Oregon
Hillsboro is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and is the county seat of Washington County. Lying in the Tualatin Valley on the west side of the Portland metropolitan area, the city is home to many high-technology companies, such as Intel, that compose what has become known as the...
, where he was a star athlete at Glencoe High School. As a freshman and sophomore, he played baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
and basketball in addition to football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
. Ainge was the starting
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
on his baseball team and was said to throw a 90 mph fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
. He also averaged 17 points, 8 rebounds
Rebound (basketball)
A rebound in basketball is the act of successfully gaining possession of the basketball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds in basketball are a routine part in the game, as all possessions change after a shot is successfully made...
, and three assists
Assist (basketball)
In basketball, an assist is attributed to a player who passes the ball to a teammate in a way that leads to a score by field goal, meaning that he or she was "assisting" in the basket. There is some judgment involved in deciding whether a passer should be credited with an assist...
in basketball as a junior, and as a senior was a preseason honorable mention on the Street and Smith's All-American team.
He was a two-year starter at quarterback on the football
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...
team, leading the Glencoe Crimson Tide as deep as the Oregon state quarterfinals. As a junior he passed for 2,559 yards and 16 touchdowns. As a senior, he passed for 3,078 yards, 24 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Perhaps his most impressive game as a senior came against Aloha High School
Aloha High School
-Demographics:*American Indian 2%*Asian or Pacific Islander 12%*Black 6%*Hispanic 23%*White 62%*Multiple Categories Selected 5%-Academics:In 2008 75% of the school's seniors received their high school diploma. Of 517 students 389 graduated, 69 dropped out, 14 received a modified diploma, and 45 are...
, when he passed for 475 yards, 5 touchdowns and no interceptions to lead the Crimson Tide to 62 points through three quarters of action. Following his senior season Ainge was named all-state, prep star all-American, and the 2003 Oregon Gatorade
Gatorade
Gatorade is a brand of sports-themed food and beverage products, built around its signature product: a line of sports drinks. Gatorade is currently manufactured by PepsiCo, distributed in over 80 countries...
Player of the Year. During his senior season Ainge also became one of the most highly recruited quarterbacks on the west coast receiving offers from schools like Oregon, Arizona State, UCLA, and Tennessee. He eventually signed with the University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
.
College career
As a freshman at UT in 2004, Ainge threw 17 touchdown passes in 9 games, breaking Peyton ManningPeyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
's freshman TD record of 15. His 1,452 passing yards ranked second behind Manning in UT freshman history. Ainge split time for much of the year with Brent Schaeffer
Brent Schaeffer
Brentis Jarryn Schaeffer or "Shiv" is an Arena football Quarterback for the Central Valley Coyotes of the af2...
, who later transferred to Ole Miss
Ole Miss Rebels football
The football history of the University of Mississippi , includes the formation of the first football team in the state and is 26th on the list of college football's all-time winning programs...
. After an injury just before halftime against Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
, Ainge was replaced by former University of Tennessee quarterback Casey Clausen
Casey Clausen
Casey Clausen , is a former American football player who played quarterback for the University of Tennessee. Clausen attended Bishop Alemany High School....
's brother Rick
Rick Clausen
Richard James Clausen is a former American football player who played college football for Louisiana State University and University of Tennessee. During his two years at LSU he played in three games, starting the 2002 game against Ole Miss...
.
In 2005, his sophomore season, he threw 5 touchdown passes and 7 interceptions. One of his most infamous moments was in a game against LSU where he was being sacked
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
by LaRon Landry
LaRon Landry
LaRon Louis Landry is an American football strong safety for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Redskins sixth overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisiana State...
in the end zone
End zone
In gridiron-based codes of football, the end zone refers to the scoring area on the field. It is the area between the end line and goal line bounded by the sidelines. There are two end zones, each being on an opposite side of the field...
, and flung the ball up into the air just before he was ruled down for a safety. Ainge's head also hit the goalpost on the play, tweaking his neck. As a result, Senior QB Rick Clausen took over. Ainge finished his sophomore season with a strong performance and a win at Kentucky
Kentucky Wildcats football
The Kentucky Wildcats football team is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the East Division of the Southeastern Conference.-History:Paul "Bear" Bryant Era...
.
As a junior in 2006, Ainge was named the starter heading into spring practice, and for the first time in his career was able to take all of the first team reps throughout the preseason. Ainge also had a new position coach and offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
when David Cutcliffe
David Cutcliffe
David Cutcliffe is the head football coach of the Duke University Blue Devils. He is best known for coaching Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning at the University of Tennessee, and Manning's younger brother and fellow Super Bowl Champion Eli at the University of Mississippi...
replaced Randy Sanders
Randy Sanders
Randy Sanders is the American football offensive coordinator and assistant coach of quarterbacks for the University of Kentucky Wildcats...
. He led his team to 7-1 record before being injured in the closing minutes of a game against South Carolina
South Carolina Gamecocks football
The South Carolina Gamecocks football team represents the University of South Carolina in NCAA Division I college football. The Gamecocks have been a member of the Southeastern Conference since 1992. Steve Spurrier is the current head coach, and the team plays its home games at Williams-Brice...
. He would then miss the majority of the next two losses for Tennessee before returning to lead his team to season-ending wins against Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Commodores football
The Vanderbilt Commodores football program is a college football team that represents Vanderbilt University. The team currently competes in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Southeastern Conference...
and Kentucky. During the season Ainge would set career highs in most statistical categories and break the Tennessee single-season record for completion percentage. He now owns a 17-5 record as a starter. The 2007 Outback Bowl
2007 Outback Bowl
The 2007 Outback Bowl Game was a college football bowl game sponsored by Outback Steakhouse. It was part of the 2006–2007 bowl game season that concluded the 2006 NCAA Division I-BS football season. The Outback Bowl has been played annually since 1986...
was the first bowl appearance for Ainge. Ainge missed the 2005 Cotton Bowl Classic due to injury, and the Vols did not qualify for a bowl game following his sophomore season.
On March 8, 2007 it was reported that Ainge would have to undergo surgery for a torn meniscus
Meniscus
The meniscus is the curve in the upper surface of a liquid close to the surface of the container or another object, caused by surface tension. It can be either convex or concave. A convex meniscus occurs when the molecules have a stronger attraction to each other than to the material of the...
. Ainge stated that the injury occurred during weightlifting
Weight training
Weight training is a common type of strength training for developing the strength and size of skeletal muscles. It uses the weight force of gravity to oppose the force generated by muscle through concentric or eccentric contraction...
exercise. However, he was able to recover in time for the 2007 season.
As a senior in 2007, Ainge passed for 3,522 passing yards and 31 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. Despite throwing 513 passes his senior year Erik was only sacked 3 times. He completed 62.6 % of his passes and had a 135.48 QB rating. Ainge was able to achieve this success despite nagging injuries which hampered him all season, including a broken pinky finger on his throwing hand and a shoulder injury on his throwing arm. The strongest statistical game for Ainge was a 52-50 triple-overtime win over Kentucky in which Ainge threw 7 touchdowns and 397 yards and his Bowl win over Wisconsin (Outback Bowl) in which Ainge threw for 365 yards and two touchdowns. Erik also lead Tennessee to a 35-14 victory of Nationally ranked Georgia in which he completed 17 of 22 passes. "My time at Tennessee transformed me from an amateur football into somebody everyone knew around the country. I learned a lot, and loved my 4 years at Tennessee."
Awards and honors
- Rivals.com National Freshman of the Week, September 18, 2004 (vs. Florida)
- 2004 Freshman All-America The Sporting NewsThe Sporting NewsSporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
(2nd) - SEC Offensive Freshman of the Year The Sporting NewsThe Sporting NewsSporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
- Freshman All-SEC Coaches
- 2005 Academic All-SEC
- USA Today National Player of the Week, September 4, 2006 (vs. California)
- SEC Offensive Player of the Week, September 11, 2006 (vs. Air Force)
- SEC Offensive Player of the Week, October 2, 2006 (at Memphis)
- SEC Offensive Player of the Week, October 9, 2006 (at Georgia)
- Cingular All-America Player of the Week, October 9, 2006 (at Georgia)
- Walter Camp Div. I-A National Offensive Player of the Week, October 9, 2006 (at Georgia)
- 2008 Outback Bowl2008 Outback BowlThe 2008 Outback Bowl, part of the 2007-08 NCAA football bowl games season, was played on January 1, 2008 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida....
MVP - 2008 Senior Bowl2008 Senior BowlThe 2008 Under Armour Senior Bowl was a college football exhibition game featuring players from the 2007 college football season and prospects in the 2008 NFL Draft. It was played on January 26, 2008 at 3 p.m. EST at Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama...
Selection
New York Jets
Ainge was selected in the fifth round (162nd overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
by the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. In May 2008, Ainge underwent surgery on the little finger on his throwing hand. On July 16, he signed a four-year, $1.87 million contract with a $165,000 signing bonus.
On November 21, 2008, Ainge was suspended four games by the NFL for violating the league's policy on steroids and related substances. Ainge, already on injured reserve and out for the season with a foot injury, was not allowed to be with the team or visit the team facility during the suspension. He was able to rejoin the team December 15, 2008, following the New York Jets' game against Buffalo
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Ainge was expected to compete with Kellen Clemens
Kellen Clemens
Kellen Clemens is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
and Kevin O'Connell
Kevin O'Connell (American football)
Kevin William O'Connell is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
for the final quarterback roster spot on the team in 2010. It was later announced that Ainge had entered "a drug treatment/rehab facility for 'recreational issues'," marking the second time he had violated the NFL's substance abuse policy.
Ainge made an announcement to The Associated Press on June 23, 2011, stating that he would retire from the NFL due to injuries sustained to his throwing shoulder and right foot. The Jets officially released Ainge on July 29, 2011.
Personal life
In a first person account written for ESPN.comESPN.com
ESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. Since launching in 1995 as ESPNet.SportsZone.com, the website has developed numerous sections including: Page 2, SportsNation, ESPN 3.com, ESPN Motion, My ESPN, ESPN Sports Travel, ESPN Video Games, ESPN Insider, ESPN.com's...
in March 2011, Ainge admitted that he struggled with drug and alcohol abuse from the time he was twelve years old and by his senior year at Tennessee he became addicted to pain killers. Ainge continued to struggle with these issues in the NFL before seeking out help. Ainge also admitted to suffering from rapid cycling bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic–depressive disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or...
which he has been treated for in addition to his drug and alcohol treatment.