Rashied Davis
Encyclopedia
Rashied Khalid Davis is an American football
wide receiver
for the Detroit Lions
of the National Football League
. He was originally signed by the San Jose SaberCats
of the Arena Football League as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He played college football
at San José State
. He has also played for the Chicago Bears
and attended John F. Kennedy High School in Granada Hills, California. Unlike most other football players on the team, Davis had not played organized football prior to his sophomore year in high school. He did not start a single game in high school, and spent of the time on the bench.
He later attended West Los Angeles College
, where he played football
as wide receiver
and defensive back
for the college's team. . He was the team's most productive player as a junior. He later finished his collegiate career at San Jose State
. In 2002 he served as a graduate assistant at San Jose State, and also served as a running backs coach
at West Valley College
in Saratoga, California
in 2004.
and cornerback
for the San Jose SaberCats
. His best years came in 2004 and 2005, in which Davis emerged as one of the team’s most productive players, posting a team leading 1,785 yards in all-purpose yards. In 2005, Davis scored 44 touchdowns and 264 points as a return specialist and wide receiver. He caught 100 passes for 1,420 yards and 30 touchdowns, which was a franchise record, and also scored eight rushing touchdowns. Davis’ feats earned him recognition as the team’s most valuable player and offensive player of the year.
in hopes of finding a new career. He tried out for the San Francisco 49ers
, but failed to make the team. The Oakland Raiders
planned to offer Davis a contract, but later retracted their offer. The Chicago Bears
finally signed Davis to a contract in 2005. He initially started his career as a cornerback, but was converted into a wide receiver before the 2006 season
.
Davis had to work very hard to adapt to the rigors of being an NFL wide receiver. Rex Grossman
, then the team's starting quarterback, claimed Davis was one of the team’s hardest workers in the 2006 offseason. Despite being overshadowed by more experienced wide receivers like Muhsin Muhammad
, Bernard Berrian
, and Mark Bradley
, he proceeded to stun critics and skeptics by emerging as one of the Bears’ most productive assets in the 2006 preseason, culminating his preseason with a 100-yard touchdown return on August 18, 2006. His preseason success earned him a spot on the Bears' starting roster
, making him one of the three receivers in a regular three wide receiver set.
During the 2006 season, Davis amassed 303 yards for two touchdowns on 22 receptions. He made many clutch receptions during the season; catching a game winning touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings
during week three, and later an overtime reception that set up a game winning field goal in week fourteen against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
. Arguably, his most important catch came in the Divisional Round of the 2006 playoffs, when he caught another overtime pass that set up the game’s winning field goal, allowing the Bears to advance to the NFC Championship. After the Bears won the NFC Championship, Davis caught one pass for 2 yards and returned one kick for 15 yards in Super Bowl XLI
. Davis only caught 17 passes during the 2007 season, and primarily played on the Bears special teams unit.
A restricted free agent
in the 2008 offseason, Davis signed his one-year, $
1,927,000 tender offer on April 18. Davis caught a career high 35 passes, for 445 yards and 2 touchdowns. At one point during the 2008 season, the Bears were prepared to use Davis as a reserve cornerback due to several injuries in their secondary. During the 2009 preseason, Davis was locked in fierce competition with Devin Aromashodu
and Brandon Rideau
for a spot on the team's final 53-man roster. Despite only catching three passes during the entire preseason, Davis, a key special teams contributor, beat out Rideau for the final wide receiver spot. Davis only recorded five receptions during the entire 2009 season, and spent most of his time on special teams.
Davis continued to be a regular member of the Bears special teams in 2010. He finished the 2010 season with nine receptions, for 84 yards and one touchdown.
in San Jose while playing for the SaberCats.
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...
for the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
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 originally signed by the San Jose SaberCats
San Jose SaberCats
The San Jose SaberCats are a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League was Darren Arbet, who will be a part of the...
of the Arena Football League as an undrafted free agent in 2002. 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 San José State
San José State Spartans Football
The San Jose State Spartans represent San Jose State University and the Silicon Valley in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The Spartans play all home games in Spartan Stadium, which offers a seating capacity of over 30,000...
. He has also played for the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
Early years
Davis was born in Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
and attended John F. Kennedy High School in Granada Hills, California. Unlike most other football players on the team, Davis had not played organized football prior to his sophomore year in high school. He did not start a single game in high school, and spent of the time on the bench.
He later attended West Los Angeles College
West Los Angeles College
West Los Angeles College is a community college located in Culver City, California. It opened in 1969 and serves approximately 10,000 students....
, where he played 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...
as 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...
and 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...
for the college's team. . He was the team's most productive player as a junior. He later finished his collegiate career at San Jose State
San José State University
San Jose State University is a public university located in San Jose, California, United States...
. In 2002 he served as a graduate assistant at San Jose State, and also served as a running backs coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
at West Valley College
West Valley College
West Valley College is a community college in northern California. Founded in 1963, the campus is located on in the city of Saratoga. One of the distinguishing features of the school's location is that it is located right off of the West Valley Freeway....
in Saratoga, California
Saratoga, California
Saratoga is a city in Santa Clara County, California, USA. It is located on the west side of the Santa Clara Valley, directly west of San Jose, in the San Francisco Bay area. The population was 29,926 at the 2010 census....
in 2004.
San Jose SaberCats
Prior to signing with the Bears, Davis spent nearly four years in the Arena Football League, playing as a wide receiverWide 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...
and cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
for the San Jose SaberCats
San Jose SaberCats
The San Jose SaberCats are a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League was Darren Arbet, who will be a part of the...
. His best years came in 2004 and 2005, in which Davis emerged as one of the team’s most productive players, posting a team leading 1,785 yards in all-purpose yards. In 2005, Davis scored 44 touchdowns and 264 points as a return specialist and wide receiver. He caught 100 passes for 1,420 yards and 30 touchdowns, which was a franchise record, and also scored eight rushing touchdowns. Davis’ feats earned him recognition as the team’s most valuable player and offensive player of the year.
Chicago Bears
Despite his success in the Arena Football League, Davis ventured into the National Football LeagueNational 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...
in hopes of finding a new career. He tried out for the 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...
, but failed to make the team. The Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
planned to offer Davis a contract, but later retracted their offer. The Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
finally signed Davis to a contract in 2005. He initially started his career as a cornerback, but was converted into a wide receiver before the 2006 season
2006 Chicago Bears season
The 2006 Chicago Bears season was their 87th regular season and 25th post-season completed in the National Football League. The club posted a 13-3 regular season record, the best in the NFC, improving on their previous year’s record of 11-5...
.
Davis had to work very hard to adapt to the rigors of being an NFL wide receiver. Rex Grossman
Rex Grossman
Rex Daniel Grossman, III is an American football quarterback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League . Grossman played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he has played professionally for the Chicago Bears, Houston Texans and Washington Redskins of...
, then the team's starting quarterback, claimed Davis was one of the team’s hardest workers in the 2006 offseason. Despite being overshadowed by more experienced wide receivers like Muhsin Muhammad
Muhsin Muhammad
Muhsin Muhammad II is a retired American football wide receiver who played for the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Panthers in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft...
, Bernard Berrian
Bernard Berrian
Bernard Berrian is a free agent American football wide receiver who last played for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
, and Mark Bradley
Mark Bradley
Mark Anthony Bradley is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
, he proceeded to stun critics and skeptics by emerging as one of the Bears’ most productive assets in the 2006 preseason, culminating his preseason with a 100-yard touchdown return on August 18, 2006. His preseason success earned him a spot on the Bears' starting roster
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...
, making him one of the three receivers in a regular three wide receiver set.
During the 2006 season, Davis amassed 303 yards for two touchdowns on 22 receptions. He made many clutch receptions during the season; catching a game winning touchdown against the 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...
during week three, and later an overtime reception that set up a game winning field goal in week fourteen against the 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...
. Arguably, his most important catch came in the Divisional Round of the 2006 playoffs, when he caught another overtime pass that set up the game’s winning field goal, allowing the Bears to advance to the NFC Championship. After the Bears won the NFC Championship, Davis caught one pass for 2 yards and returned one kick for 15 yards in Super Bowl XLI
Super Bowl XLI
Super Bowl XLI was an American football game that featured the American Football Conference champion Indianapolis Colts and the National Football Conference champion Chicago Bears to decide the National Football League champion for the 2006 season...
. Davis only caught 17 passes during the 2007 season, and primarily played on the Bears special teams unit.
A restricted free agent
Restricted free agent
A restricted free agent is a professional athlete who plays in the KHL, NFL, NHL, or NBA. Such players have special restrictions on the terms under which they can retain or change employment status with their athletic club teams.- NFL :...
in the 2008 offseason, Davis signed his one-year, $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
1,927,000 tender offer on April 18. Davis caught a career high 35 passes, for 445 yards and 2 touchdowns. At one point during the 2008 season, the Bears were prepared to use Davis as a reserve cornerback due to several injuries in their secondary. During the 2009 preseason, Davis was locked in fierce competition with Devin Aromashodu
Devin Aromashodu
Gbolahan Devin Aromashodu is an American football wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Auburn...
and Brandon Rideau
Brandon Rideau
Brandon Rideau is a professional gridiron football wide receiver who has played for the Toronto Argonauts, Cleveland Browns and the Chicago Bears. Rideau played college football at Kansas.-Early years:...
for a spot on the team's final 53-man roster. Despite only catching three passes during the entire preseason, Davis, a key special teams contributor, beat out Rideau for the final wide receiver spot. Davis only recorded five receptions during the entire 2009 season, and spent most of his time on special teams.
Davis continued to be a regular member of the Bears special teams in 2010. He finished the 2010 season with nine receptions, for 84 yards and one touchdown.
Personal
He has a wife named Dianna, a daughter named Alanna Lilly, and a son named Eli Rashied. Rashied also worked at a Best BuyBest Buy
Best Buy Co., Inc. is an American specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. It also operates in Mexico, Canada & China. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, CinemaNow, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada operates...
in San Jose while playing for the SaberCats.