Izel Jenkins
Encyclopedia
Izel N. Jenkins, Jr. is a former professional American football
defensive back
in the National Football League
for the Philadelphia Eagles
, Minnesota Vikings
, and New York Giants
during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was drafted
by the Eagles in the 11th round (288th overall) of the 1988 NFL Draft
. Jenkins frequently played in nickel and dime situations.
Jenkins acquired the nickname of "Toast", due to fans and commentators believing he gave up too many big pass plays (or colloquially being "burnt" - hence "toast") to opposing wide receivers.
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...
defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
in 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...
for the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
, and New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was drafted
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
by the Eagles in the 11th round (288th overall) of the 1988 NFL Draft
1988 NFL Draft
The 1988 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, 1988. The league also held a supplemental draft after the regular draft and...
. Jenkins frequently played in nickel and dime situations.
Jenkins acquired the nickname of "Toast", due to fans and commentators believing he gave up too many big pass plays (or colloquially being "burnt" - hence "toast") to opposing wide receivers.