Naaman Roosevelt
Encyclopedia
Naaman Roosevelt is an American football
wide receiver
with the Buffalo Bills
of the National Football League
. His strange name comes from a mistake made at Buffalo Mercy when a nurse mistakenly took the answer of "Nah Man" when his father was asked whether or not it was his son as the father proclaiming it was in fact his son Naaman.
in Buffalo where he played at the quarterback position before staying in Buffalo to attend the University at Buffalo
. Roosevelt was the first recruit of new head coach Turner Gill
. He started 7 games as a freshman and was converted into a wide receiver, catching 31 passes and 2 touchdowns. In his second year, the wide receiver caught 63 passes and 4 touchdowns. In his junior season, Roosevelt dramatically increased his production, catching 104 passes, primarily from quarterback Drew Willy
. On September 13, 2008 Rooselvelt caught a Hail Mary Pass from QB Drew Willy as time expired against the Temple Owls
. Also in his junior season, Buffalo won the 2008 MAC Championship Game
against Nate Davis
and the Ball State Cardinals
. Roosevelt's 104 receptions was one short of the MAC Conference record at the time. Roosevelt graduated in 2009 and, the following season, Roosevelt caught 70 passes and 9 touchdowns.
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...
with the Buffalo Bills
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...
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...
. His strange name comes from a mistake made at Buffalo Mercy when a nurse mistakenly took the answer of "Nah Man" when his father was asked whether or not it was his son as the father proclaiming it was in fact his son Naaman.
High school and collegiate career
Roosevelt attended St. Joseph's Collegiate InstituteSt. Joseph's Collegiate Institute
St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute, founded in 1861, is an independent Roman Catholic college preparatory school for young men. Established by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, SJCI is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State and accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges...
in Buffalo where he played at the quarterback position before staying in Buffalo to attend the University at Buffalo
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, also commonly known as the University at Buffalo or UB, is a public research university and a "University Center" in the State University of New York system. The university was founded by Millard Fillmore in 1846. UB has multiple campuses...
. Roosevelt was the first recruit of new head coach Turner Gill
Turner Gill
Turner Hillery Gill is an American football coach who most recently served as the head coach at Kansas from 2010-2011, and was one of 11 African-American head coaches in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision at the time of his hiring.-College:Gill graduated from Arlington Heights High...
. He started 7 games as a freshman and was converted into a wide receiver, catching 31 passes and 2 touchdowns. In his second year, the wide receiver caught 63 passes and 4 touchdowns. In his junior season, Roosevelt dramatically increased his production, catching 104 passes, primarily from quarterback Drew Willy
Drew Willy
Drew Willy is an American football quarterback for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
. On September 13, 2008 Rooselvelt caught a Hail Mary Pass from QB Drew Willy as time expired against the Temple Owls
Temple Owls football
The Temple Owls football team participates in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference...
. Also in his junior season, Buffalo won the 2008 MAC Championship Game
2008 MAC Championship Game
The 2008 Marathon MAC Championship Game was played on December 5, 2008 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The game featured the winner of each division of the Mid-American Conference. The game featured the Ball State Cardinals, of the West Division, and the Buffalo Bulls, of the East Division...
against Nate Davis
Nate Davis (quarterback)
Nate Charles Davis is an American football quarterback with the Kansas City Command of the Arena Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL draft...
and the Ball State Cardinals
Ball State Cardinals
Ball State University's athletic teams are called the Cardinals. The Cardinals are part of the NCAA Mid-American Conference and located in Muncie, Indiana...
. Roosevelt's 104 receptions was one short of the MAC Conference record at the time. Roosevelt graduated in 2009 and, the following season, Roosevelt caught 70 passes and 9 touchdowns.