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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William LaQuayne Yates (born April 15, 1980) is an American football coach and former player. He played as an offensive guard in the National Football League (NFL). Billy Yates played college football at Texas A&M. He later joined the Miami Dolphins in 2003.
Yates also played for the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns. He won a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX. After his playing career, he became a football coach.
Early Life and High School
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 Career
College Football
After high school, Yates went to Texas A&M University in 1999. For his first two years, he was a backup offensive lineman. In his junior and senior years (2001 and 2002), he became a starter. He started 20 games during those two seasons.
National Football League (NFL)
Miami Dolphins
In 2003, Billy Yates was not chosen in the main NFL draft. However, the Miami Dolphins signed him as an undrafted free agent. This means a team signed him after the draft was over. He made the team and played in three games as a backup player in 2003. The Dolphins released him in September 2004.
New England Patriots
On September 11, 2004, the New England Patriots signed Yates to their practice squad. A practice squad is a group of players who train with the main team. They can be called up to play if needed. Yates stayed on the practice squad for most of the season. He was then added to the main team for Super Bowl XXXIX, which the Patriots won.
He started the 2005 season on the practice squad again. He joined the main team in November after a teammate got injured. He played as a backup offensive lineman for the rest of that season.
In 2006, Yates started on the practice squad once more. He was activated in October and made his first start on October 30, 2006. He started two games at right guard. However, he got injured and missed the rest of the season.
For the first time, Yates made the Patriots' main roster at the start of the 2007 season. He started one game that year. In 2008, he started seven games early in the season. He was released by the Patriots in February 2009.
Cleveland Browns
Billy Yates joined the Cleveland Browns on September 16, 2009. He played in seven games in his first season with the Browns. In 2010, he played in nine games and started three of them.
Retirement from Playing
On August 15, 2011, Billy Yates announced that he was retiring from playing football.
Coaching Career
After his playing days, Billy Yates began a career in coaching.
Texas A&M
In 2013, Yates returned to Texas A&M. He became their strength and conditioning coach. This role helps players get stronger and fitter.
Texas Tech
In 2014, Yates moved to Texas Tech. He worked there as an assistant strength coach.
New England Patriots (Fellowship)
During the summer of 2015, Yates worked with the New England Patriots. This was part of a special program called the Bill Walsh Minority Fellowship. It helps coaches from diverse backgrounds gain experience.
Bowling Green State University
In 2017, Yates became the head strength and conditioning coach at Bowling Green State University.
Detroit Lions
On January 7, 2020, Yates was hired by the Detroit Lions. He became their assistant offensive line coach.
New England Patriots (Coach)
In February 2021, Billy Yates rejoined the New England Patriots coaching staff. He worked as an offensive assistant and assistant offensive line coach.
