Billy Yates (American football) facts for kids
Yates with the Dolphins in 2003
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| Personal information | |||
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| Born: | April 15, 1980 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Weight: | 305 lb (138 kg) | ||
| Career information | |||
| High school: | Corsicana (TX) | ||
| College: | Texas A&M | ||
| Undrafted: | 2003 | ||
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| As coach: | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
| Career NFL statistics | |||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||
William LaQuayne Yates (born April 15, 1980) is an American football coach. He used to play as an offensive guard in the National Football League (NFL). An offensive guard is a player who blocks for their teammates.
Billy Yates played college football at Texas A&M University. After college, he joined the Miami Dolphins in 2003. He also played for the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns. He won a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX.
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Early Life
Billy Yates grew up in Corsicana, Texas. He went to Corsicana High School. There, he was a talented athlete. He played football, track and field, and basketball.
Playing Football
College Days
After high school, Billy Yates went to Texas A&M University in 1999. For his first two years, he was a backup offensive lineman. This means he was ready to play if needed. In his junior and senior years (2001 and 2002), he became a starter. He started 20 games during those two seasons.
Playing in the NFL
Miami Dolphins
After the 2003 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins signed Billy Yates. He was an undrafted free agent. This means no team picked him during the draft. But the Dolphins still wanted him. He made it onto the team's main roster. In 2003, he played in three games as a backup player. The Dolphins released him in September 2004.
New England Patriots
On September 11, 2004, the New England Patriots signed Billy Yates. He joined their practice squad. A practice squad is a group of players who train with the team. They can be called up to play if needed. He stayed on the practice squad for the rest of the season. But he was activated for Super Bowl XXXIX. This means he was able to play in the big game.
He started the 2005 season on the practice squad again. But he was called up in November. This happened after the team's starting center got injured. Billy Yates played as a backup offensive lineman. He also helped on special teams, like kickoff plays.
In 2006, he started on the practice squad once more. But he was activated in October. He made his first start on October 30, 2006. This was against the Minnesota Vikings. He filled in for an injured teammate. He started two more games after that. But he got injured in the second game. He broke his leg and missed the rest of the season.
For the 2007 season, Billy Yates made the main roster. This was his first time doing so with the Patriots. He started one game that year. In 2008, he started seven games. This was because another teammate was injured. He was released by the team in February 2009. But he was re-signed two days later. He was released again in September 2009.
Cleveland Browns
Billy Yates joined the Cleveland Browns on September 16, 2009. In his first year with the Browns, he played in seven games. He did not start any of them. In 2010, he played in nine games. He started three of those games.
Saying Goodbye to Playing
On August 15, 2011, Billy Yates decided to stop playing football. He announced his retirement.
Coaching Career
After his playing career, Billy Yates became a coach.
Coaching at Texas A&M
In 2013, Billy Yates returned to Texas A&M. He was hired as their strength and conditioning coach. This means he helped players get stronger and fitter.
Coaching at Texas Tech
In 2014, he moved to Texas Tech. He worked there as an assistant strength coach.
Coaching with the New England Patriots (Fellowship)
During the summer of 2015, Billy Yates worked with the New England Patriots. This was part of a special coaching program. It helps people from diverse backgrounds get coaching experience.
Coaching at Bowling Green
In 2016, Billy Yates was hired by Bowling Green State University. He became their head strength and conditioning coach.
Coaching with the Detroit Lions
On January 7, 2020, Billy Yates joined the Detroit Lions. He was hired as their assistant offensive line coach.
Coaching with the New England Patriots (Again)
In February 2021, Billy Yates went back to the New England Patriots. He joined their coaching staff. He worked as an offensive assistant and assistant offensive line coach. He continued in this role through the 2023 season.
