Andy Dalton facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page is about the American football player. For the New Zealand rugby player, see Andy Dalton (rugby union). For the English cricketer, see Andrew Dalton.

Quick facts for kids
Andy Dalton

Dalton with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017

No. 14 – Carolina Panthers

Position:

Quarterback

Personal information

Born:

October 29, 1987 (age 37)
Katy, Texas, U.S.

Height:

6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)

Weight:

220 lb (100 kg)

Career information

High school:

Katy

College:

TCU (2006–2010)

NFL Draft:

2011 / Round: 2 / Pick: 35

Career history

Roster status:

Active

Career highlights and awards

3× Pro Bowl (2011, 2014, 2016)
2× MW Offensive Player of the Year (2009, 2010)
2× First-team All-MW (2009, 2010)

Career NFL statistics as of Week 18, 2024

Passing attempts:	5,614
Passing completions:	3,514
Completion percentage:	62.6%
TD–INT:	253–150
Passing yards:	39,500
Passer rating:	87.5

Player stats at PFR

Andrew Gregory Dalton (born October 29, 1987) is an American professional football quarterback. He plays for the Carolina Panthers in the National Football League (NFL). People often call him "the Red Rifle" because of his strong throwing arm and red hair.

Dalton played college football for the TCU Horned Frogs. He became the school's leader in quarterback wins. He also led them to a big win in the 2011 Rose Bowl. The Cincinnati Bengals chose him in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft.

During his first nine seasons with the Bengals, Dalton helped the team reach the playoffs five times in a row (2011-2015). He was also chosen for the Pro Bowl three times. In his first year, he and wide receiver A. J. Green set records for a rookie quarterback/receiver team. Dalton also set Bengals team records for passing touchdowns and passing yards in a single season.

Even with his success in the regular season, Dalton did not win any playoff games. The Bengals released him in 2020 after four losing seasons. After that, he played for the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and New Orleans Saints for one year each. He joined the Panthers in 2023.

Early Life and High School Football
College Football Career at TCU
- Starting Out (2006-2007)
- Leading the Horned Frogs (2008-2010)
Professional Football Career
Personal Life and Charity Work
Images for kids
See Also

Early Life and High School Football

Andy Dalton grew up in Katy, Texas. He played football for the Katy High School Tigers. In 2004, he shared playing time as a junior. In 2005, as a senior, he became the full-time starting quarterback.

That year, he led the Tigers to the state finals. They lost to Southlake Carroll, but Dalton had a great season. He threw for 2,877 yards and 42 touchdowns. The Houston Chronicle newspaper named him the best offensive player in the Greater Houston Area.

College Football Career at TCU

Dalton playing for TCU

Dalton decided to play college football at Texas Christian University (TCU) in 2005.

Starting Out (2006-2007)

Dalton did not play in his first year (2006). This is called being "redshirted" in college sports. He still traveled with the team and learned a lot.

In 2007, he became the starting quarterback for the TCU Horned Frogs. He was named the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the 2007 Texas Bowl. TCU won that game 20-13 against Houston. He finished his first playing season with 2,459 passing yards. After an 8-5 record as a freshman, he had an amazing 34-3 record for the rest of his college career.

Leading the Horned Frogs (2008-2010)

In 2008, Dalton led TCU to an 11-2 record. They finished high in the national rankings. He was also named MVP of the 2008 Poinsettia Bowl.

The 2009 season was even better. Dalton led the Horned Frogs to a perfect 12-0 regular season. They won the Mountain West Conference Championship. They even earned a spot in a major bowl game, the 2010 Fiesta Bowl, but lost a close game.

On September 4, 2010, Dalton broke a school record. He earned his 30th win as TCU's starting quarterback. This passed the legendary Sammy Baugh for most wins. In one game against Baylor, he completed 21 of 23 passes, which was a career best!

On January 1, 2011, Dalton led his team to a 21-19 victory over Wisconsin in the famous 2011 Rose Bowl. His TCU team finished the season with a perfect 13-0 record. They were ranked #2 in the country. Dalton also finished ninth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy, a top award for college players.

When he graduated, Dalton held many TCU school records. These included wins (42), passing yards (10,314), and passing touchdowns (71).

Professional Football Career

Cincinnati Bengals (2011–2019)

Rookie Season (2011)

On April 29, 2011, the Cincinnati Bengals picked Andy Dalton in the second round of the NFL Draft. He was the 35th player chosen overall. He quickly became the starting quarterback for the Bengals.

Dalton at the 2012 Pro Bowl

Dalton's first NFL regular-season start was on September 11, 2011. The Bengals won that game 27-17 against the Cleveland Browns. In October, he was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month. He led the Bengals to a 4-0 record that month.

By the end of his first season, Dalton led the Bengals to a 9-7 record. They made it to the NFL playoffs. He became the first quarterback not picked in the first round to start all 16 games as a rookie. He also joined a small group of rookie quarterbacks with over 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdowns.

Dalton was even chosen as a Pro Bowl Alternate. He later joined the team, becoming one of the first two rookie quarterbacks ever to make the Pro Bowl in the same season.

Continued Success and Playoff Struggles (2012-2015)

In 2012, Dalton continued to play well. He had several games with high passing yards and multiple touchdowns. He helped the Bengals reach the playoffs for the second year in a row. This was the first time the Bengals made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons since the early 1980s. However, they lost in the first round of the playoffs again.

In 2013, Dalton had a career-high 4,293 passing yards and 34 passing touchdowns. These were also Bengals team records for a single season. He led the Bengals to win their division, the AFC North. This was his third straight trip to the playoffs. He was one of only five NFL quarterbacks to make the playoffs in each of their first three seasons. Despite his regular season success, the Bengals lost in the playoffs once more.

In 2014, Dalton signed a big contract extension with the Bengals. He continued to lead the team to the playoffs, making it four years in a row. He even caught an 18-yard touchdown pass in one game, which was a rare play for a quarterback! He was selected for his second Pro Bowl after the season.

Dalton in Baltimore in 2015

The 2015 season started with a historic winning streak for the Bengals. Dalton threw his 100th career touchdown pass. He led the team to their best start ever, 8-0. Sadly, Dalton broke his thumb in Week 13 and missed the rest of the season. He finished the year with 3,250 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. His passer rating was very high, ranking second in the NFL.

Later Bengals Years (2016-2019)

In 2016, Dalton had over 4,000 passing yards for the second time in his career. He was chosen for his third Pro Bowl.

Dalton in Washington in 2017

In 2017, Dalton had a memorable moment in Week 17. He threw a game-winning touchdown pass with only 44 seconds left. This win eliminated the Baltimore Ravens from the playoffs. It also allowed the Buffalo Bills to make the playoffs for the first time in 17 years! Many Bills fans were so thankful that they donated over $360,000 to Dalton's charity.

Dalton (right) in Cleveland in 2019

In 2018, Dalton suffered a thumb injury that ended his season early. In 2019, after a tough start to the season, Dalton was briefly benched. However, he returned as the starter and helped the Bengals win their first game of the season. After nine seasons, the Bengals released Dalton in April 2020. This happened after they drafted a new quarterback, Joe Burrow.

Dallas Cowboys (2020)

In 2020, Dalton signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys. He was the backup quarterback. When the starting quarterback, Dak Prescott, got injured, Dalton became the starter. He led the Cowboys to some important wins, including one against his old team, the Bengals.

Chicago Bears (2021)

In 2021, Dalton signed with the Chicago Bears. He started the first two games before getting a knee injury. He then became the backup quarterback.

New Orleans Saints (2022)

In 2022, Dalton joined the New Orleans Saints. He became the starting quarterback in Week 4 due to injuries to other players. He started 14 games for the Saints that season.

Carolina Panthers (2023–present)

In 2023, Dalton signed with the Carolina Panthers. He was expected to be the starter at first, but the team drafted Bryce Young as the first overall pick. Dalton got one start in Week 3 when Young was injured.

In 2024, after the Panthers had a tough start, Dalton was named the starting quarterback again. In his first start, he threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Panthers to a 36-22 win. Later that season, Dalton was in a car accident and injured his thumb.

Personal Life and Charity Work

Andy Dalton is a Christian. He often talks about how important his faith is to him. He married his college sweetheart, Jordan Jones, in 2011. They have three children: two sons and a daughter.

Dalton and his wife started the Andy & Jordan Dalton Foundation. This charity helps families and children who are in need. After the Bengals' win over the Ravens in 2017, which helped the Buffalo Bills make the playoffs, many Bills fans donated to Dalton's foundation. They donated over $360,000 in less than a week! Most donations were $17, to remember the Bills' 17-year playoff drought ending. Dalton and his wife thanked the Bills fans with billboards in Buffalo.

He is known by his nickname, "the Red Rifle." This name refers to his strong throwing arm and his red hair.