Todd Heap
Encyclopedia
Todd Benjamin Heap is an American football
tight end
for the Arizona Cardinals
of the National Football League
. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens
in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Arizona State
, in Mesa, Arizona
, he was Mountain 5A Player of the Year. In the state championship game, he threw a 26-yard touchdown pass.
selected Heap with the 31st overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft
. Through the end of the 2009 NFL season
he has played 120 total career games, starting 115.
Heap recorded 16 receptions for 206 yards and one touchdown in his rookie season, playing behind eight-time Pro-Bowler Shannon Sharpe
. He became the starting tight end for the Ravens in 2002 after Sharpe left in free agency. The Ravens were 7-9 in Heap's second season. He caught 68 passes for 836 yards and 6 touchdowns and was voted to his first Pro Bowl. The following season in 2003, Heap garnered 57 receptions for 693 yards and 3 touchdowns, despite the Ravens having a run-first offense, behind the record breaking 2066 yard rushing season of Jamal Lewis
. Heap was again voted to the Pro Bowl as the Ravens won the AFC North division for the first time. Heap had 6 receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown in a 20-17 playoff loss to the Tennessee Titans
. Heap was injured in the second week of the 2004 season, in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers
. He returned in week 13, but missed the final game of the season. He finished the season with 303 yards and 3 touchdowns in six games. He returned healthy and ready to play in the 2005 season. The Ravens team suffered numerous injuries to their starters and ended the season 6-10. Heap caught 75 passes for 855 yards and 7 touchdowns.
2006 would see him receiving passes from former rival, former Pro Bowl QB Steve McNair
. 2006 would also prove to be the Ravens best regular season, as they won the AFC North for the second time in franchise history with a record of 13-3. Heap caught 73 passes for 765 yards and 6 touchdowns. Heap missed 10 games in the 2007 season due to injury, and caught only 23 passes, amassing 239 yards and one touchdown. In 2008, he collected 35 receptions for 403 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Ravens advanced to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since the 2000 season, but would lose to the Steelers.
Heap played through numerous injuries in the 2009 season, yet had 53 receptions for 593 yards and 6 touchdowns, and twice scored two touchdowns in a single game. The Ravens finished 9-7, losing in the second round of the playoffs to the Indianapolis Colts
. He built on his success from the previous year in 2010, going on to have one of the best seasons of his career. In 12 games, he notched 37 receptions for 546 yds. and 5 TDs, one being a career long 65 yd. TD. In a week 13 Sunday Night Football match-up with the Steelers, he suffered a pulled hamstring on the first offensive snap for Baltimore, taking him out of the game. As a precaution, he has missed the 3 weeks, not wanting to re-aggravate or worsen the injury.
On July 25, 2011, the day the NFL announced the CBA, the Ravens announced they would be releasing him once free agency begins. He was officially released on July 28.
, returning to where he grew up.
QB Danny White
and his great uncle, Verl, played basketball at Arizona State. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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...
tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
for the Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National 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 Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft
2001 NFL Draft
The 2001 NFL Draft took place on April 21–22, 2001 at the theater at Madison Square Garden, in New York City. This was the 66th National Football League draft in league history. The draft was broadcast on ESPN both days and eventually moved to ESPN2. No teams elected to claim any players in the...
. 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 Arizona State
Arizona State Sun Devils football
The Arizona State Sun Devils' football program represents Arizona State University in college football, and competes in NCAA Division I FBS as a member of the Pacific-12 Conference....
Early years
At Mountain View High SchoolMountain View High School (Mesa)
Mountain View High School is a high school in Mesa, Arizona. It was established in 1976. It is known for its numerous athletic and academic accomplishments...
, in Mesa, Arizona
Mesa, Arizona
According to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Mesa was as follows:* White: 77.1% * Hispanic or Latino : 26.54%* Black or African American: 3.5%* Two or more races: 3.4%* Native American: 2.4%...
, he was Mountain 5A Player of the Year. In the state championship game, he threw a 26-yard touchdown pass.
College career
Heap played college football at Arizona State University, majoring in pre-business. His 115 receptions broke the school record for tight ends, previously held by Ken Dyer.Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore RavensBaltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
selected Heap with the 31st overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft
2001 NFL Draft
The 2001 NFL Draft took place on April 21–22, 2001 at the theater at Madison Square Garden, in New York City. This was the 66th National Football League draft in league history. The draft was broadcast on ESPN both days and eventually moved to ESPN2. No teams elected to claim any players in the...
. Through the end of the 2009 NFL season
2009 NFL season
The 2009 NFL season was the 90th regular season of the National Football League.The preseason started with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on August 9, 2009, and the regular season began September 10. The season ended with Super Bowl XLIV, the league's championship game, on February 7, 2010 at...
he has played 120 total career games, starting 115.
Heap recorded 16 receptions for 206 yards and one touchdown in his rookie season, playing behind eight-time Pro-Bowler Shannon Sharpe
Shannon Sharpe
Shannon Sharpe is a former American Football tight end who played for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. Sharpe is known for his creative commentary and trash talking. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and inducted on August 6, 2011...
. He became the starting tight end for the Ravens in 2002 after Sharpe left in free agency. The Ravens were 7-9 in Heap's second season. He caught 68 passes for 836 yards and 6 touchdowns and was voted to his first Pro Bowl. The following season in 2003, Heap garnered 57 receptions for 693 yards and 3 touchdowns, despite the Ravens having a run-first offense, behind the record breaking 2066 yard rushing season of Jamal Lewis
Jamal Lewis
Jamal Lafitte Lewis is a former American football running back in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens fifth overall in the 2000 NFL Draft...
. Heap was again voted to the Pro Bowl as the Ravens won the AFC North division for the first time. Heap had 6 receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown in a 20-17 playoff loss to the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
. Heap was injured in the second week of the 2004 season, in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
. He returned in week 13, but missed the final game of the season. He finished the season with 303 yards and 3 touchdowns in six games. He returned healthy and ready to play in the 2005 season. The Ravens team suffered numerous injuries to their starters and ended the season 6-10. Heap caught 75 passes for 855 yards and 7 touchdowns.
2006 would see him receiving passes from former rival, former Pro Bowl QB Steve McNair
Steve McNair
Stephen LaTreal McNair was an American football quarterback who spent the majority of his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans....
. 2006 would also prove to be the Ravens best regular season, as they won the AFC North for the second time in franchise history with a record of 13-3. Heap caught 73 passes for 765 yards and 6 touchdowns. Heap missed 10 games in the 2007 season due to injury, and caught only 23 passes, amassing 239 yards and one touchdown. In 2008, he collected 35 receptions for 403 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Ravens advanced to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since the 2000 season, but would lose to the Steelers.
Heap played through numerous injuries in the 2009 season, yet had 53 receptions for 593 yards and 6 touchdowns, and twice scored two touchdowns in a single game. The Ravens finished 9-7, losing in the second round of the playoffs to the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
. He built on his success from the previous year in 2010, going on to have one of the best seasons of his career. In 12 games, he notched 37 receptions for 546 yds. and 5 TDs, one being a career long 65 yd. TD. In a week 13 Sunday Night Football match-up with the Steelers, he suffered a pulled hamstring on the first offensive snap for Baltimore, taking him out of the game. As a precaution, he has missed the 3 weeks, not wanting to re-aggravate or worsen the injury.
On July 25, 2011, the day the NFL announced the CBA, the Ravens announced they would be releasing him once free agency begins. He was officially released on July 28.
Arizona Cardinals
On July 31, 2011 Heap signed a two-year contract with the Arizona CardinalsArizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, returning to where he grew up.
Family
Heap and his wife, Ashley, have a daughter, Brooklyn (born 2002) and twin boys, Preston and Kyle, (born 2006) . He is one of six children. His mother's cousin is Arizona State Hall of Fame QB and former Dallas CowboysDallas 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...
QB Danny White
Danny White
Wilford Daniel "Danny" White is a former quarterback and punter for the Dallas Cowboys, an American football coach in the Arena Football League and also occasionally appears as an analyst on broadcasts of college football games. He was named the head coach of the Arena Football League expansion...
and his great uncle, Verl, played basketball at Arizona State. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.