Tony Curtis (American football)

Tony Curtis (born February 11, 1983) is a former American football tight end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens. He also was a member of the Cologne Centurions in NFL Europa. He played college football at Portland State University.

Tony Curtis
No. 89
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1983-02-11) February 11, 1983 (age 41)
Fort Lewis, Washington, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:251 lb (114 kg)
Career information
High school:Seaside (CA)
College:Portland State
Undrafted:2005
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:11
Receiving yards:50
TDs:3
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years edit

Curtis graduated from Seaside High School in Seaside, California. As a senior, he received Monterey County Athlete of the Year, County Defensive Player of the Year and All-county honors.[1]

In basketball, he received All-county and All-league honors as a senior.

College career edit

Curtis enrolled at Fresno City College under head coach Tony Caviglia. After his sophomore season, he transferred to Division I Portland State University.

As a junior, he tallied 9 receptions for 79 yards. As a senior, he appeared in 11 games, making 7 receptions for 96 yards and one touchdown. He finished his college career with 16 receptions for 175 yards and one touchdown.

Professional career edit

Dallas Cowboys edit

Curtis was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2005 NFL Draft on February 28.[2] He was used mainly as a blocking tight end. He was released on September 3.[3] He was signed to the practice squad on September 4.

In 2006, he was released before the start of the season and signed to the practice squad on September 3. On October 13, he was promoted to the regular roster. He appeared in 4 games (declared inactive in 3 games), before being released on November 24.

On January 10, 2007, he was re-signed by the Cowboys and assigned to the Cologne Centurions in NFL Europa, where he appeared in 9 games (4 starts), while making 14 receptions for 112 yards and 3 touchdown. He would end up making the roster and being named the third-string tight end. On October 8, in a Monday Night Football game against the Buffalo Bills, Curtis recovered an onside kick with 18 seconds remaining to help set up Nick Folk's 53-yard game-winning field goal, giving the Cowboys a 25-24 win. He finished the season with 3 catches, all of which went for touchdowns, 3 special teams tackles and 3 kickoff returns for 27 yards.

On April 11, 2008, he was re-signed as an exclusive-rights free agent to a one-year deal. During the season, he also saw snaps as a blocking fullback. He appeared in 16 games with 6 starts, while tallying 8 receptions for 32 yards. He missed a block in a punt formation, resulting in punter Mat McBriar suffering a broken right foot. He wasn't re-signed at the end of the year.

Kansas City Chiefs edit

On April 24, 2009, Curtis was signed as a free agent by the Kansas City Chiefs.[4] He was released on August 4.

Philadelphia Eagles edit

On August 25, 2009, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent, to compete for the third-string tight end role.[5] He was waived on September 8.

Baltimore Ravens edit

On September 22, 2009, Curtis signed with the Baltimore Ravens to replace an injured Obafemi Ayanbadejo.[6] He was declared inactive in 3 games. He was released on October 13, to make room for wide receiver David Tyree.[7]

San Francisco 49ers edit

On February 4, 2010, he was signed by the San Francisco 49ers. He was released September 3.[8]

Washington Redskins edit

On August 16, 2011, he signed with the Washington Redskins, to provide depth because of a series of injuries at the tight end position.[9] He was released on September 3. In his career, he played in 36 games (6 starts) with 11 receptions for 50 yards and 3 touchdowns.

References edit

  1. ^ "49ers' practice in Seaside is homecoming for tight end Tony Curtis". August 5, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  2. ^ "Transactions". Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  3. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. September 4, 2005. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  4. ^ "Chiefs add former Cowboys TE Curtis; C Niswanger signs tender". NFL.com. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  5. ^ "Philadelphia Eagles sign tight end Tony Curtis, linebacker Curtis Gatewood". August 25, 2009. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  6. ^ "Tight End Signed; Burgess Treaded". Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  7. ^ "Ravens sign wide receiver Tyree". Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  8. ^ "Jason Hill, Michael Robinson, Matt Wilhelm among 49ers final cuts". September 3, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  9. ^ "Redskins drop RB James Davis, add TE Tony Curtis". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 14, 2019.