Chris Samuels facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Chris Samuels

Samuels in 2024
No. 60
Position:	Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born:	(1977-07-28) July 28, 1977 (age 47) Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	314 lb (142 kg)
Career information
High school:	John Shaw (Mobile, Alabama)
College:	Alabama (1996–1999)
NFL Draft:	2000 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3
Career history
As player:
Washington Redskins (2000–2009)
As coach:
Alabama (2012–2014) Assistant offensive line coach
Career highlights and awards
6× Pro Bowl (2001, 2002, 2005–2008) PFWA All-Rookie Team (2000) Washington 90 Greatest Washington Commanders Ring of Fame Unanimous All-American (1999) Outland Trophy (1999) Jacobs Blocking Trophy (1999) First-team All-SEC (1999) Second-team All-SEC (1997)
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 141 Games started: 141 Fumble recoveries: 4
Player stats at PFR

Chris Samuels (born July 28, 1977) is an American football player who used to play as an offensive tackle. He played for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He was recognized as a unanimous All-American, which means he was chosen as one of the best college players by many different groups. Samuels was picked third overall in the 2000 NFL draft. He spent his entire professional career with the Washington Redskins (now called the Washington Commanders) and was chosen for the Pro Bowl six times.

Early Life and Football Beginnings

Chris Samuels was born in Mobile, Alabama. He went to John Shaw High School in Mobile. There, he played both offense and defense for his high school football team. He helped his team achieve a good record and reach the AHSAA playoffs.

College Football Career

Samuels played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team at the University of Alabama from 1996 to 1999. In his final year, 1999, he was named to the All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) first team. This meant coaches and sports reporters thought he was one of the best players in the SEC. He was also recognized as a unanimous All-American.

He won the Outland Trophy in 1999, which is given to the best college interior lineman in the country. Samuels also won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the SEC's best blocker. He started 42 games in a row and never let a defender tackle the quarterback he was protecting. In 1999, he helped running back Shaun Alexander gain over 1,300 yards by blocking for him.

Professional Football Career

Chris Samuels was seen as the top offensive tackle available in the 2000 NFL draft. He was chosen third overall by the Washington Redskins. The Redskins traded several draft picks to move up and get him. Samuels was the first offensive lineman from Alabama to be picked in the first round of the NFL Draft since 1978.

Playing for the Washington Redskins

Samuels at the 2008 Pro Bowl.

"Excellent athlete, good run man and pass blocker, and can run like a deer. We isolate him one on one like we did with Lachey and leave him on the same guy the whole game. He’s like Gilligan, he’s got this guy the whole game."

Samuels quickly became the starting left tackle for the Redskins. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl six times during his career. In his first year, 2000, he started every game. He was even named co-Offensive Rookie of the Month for October.

In 2001, Samuels started all 16 games and was voted to his first Pro Bowl. He was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated with running back Stephen Davis. This happened after the team made history by winning five games in a row after losing their first five.

In 2002, he earned his second straight trip to the Pro Bowl. He also won the Redskins' Ed Block Courage Award. Samuels played 13 games in 2003, missing some due to a knee injury. In 2004, he played all 16 games and helped running back Clinton Portis rush for over 1,300 yards.

Samuels was a key leader on Washington's offensive line. In 2005, the Redskins signed him to a big contract. He played all 16 games and two playoff games. He was named to the Pro Bowl again, helping Clinton Portis set a team record with over 1,500 rushing yards.

In 2006, he started all 16 games and was named to the Pro Bowl for the second year in a row. He helped Ladell Betts rush for over 1,100 yards. In 2007, Samuels was named to the Pro Bowl for the third year in a row. He helped the Redskins have one of their best rushing games ever against the New York Jets.

In 2008, Samuels was named a Team Captain. He played in 12 games but missed some due to a knee injury. He was placed on Injured Reserve in December 2008 because of a triceps injury. He was named to the 2008 Pro Bowl but could not play due to his injury. Samuels helped Clinton Portis have a great season, ranking fourth in the NFL in rushing yards.

Samuels suffered a neck injury during a game in October 2009. Doctors found that this injury was related to a condition called spinal stenosis, which he had since childhood. Because of the risk of a serious, long-term injury, he decided to retire from the NFL on March 4, 2010.

Coaching Career

After retiring from playing, Chris Samuels decided to become a coach. In 2010, he worked as an assistant coach for the Redskins. In 2011, he volunteered as the offensive coordinator at Mattie T. Blount High School in Alabama. He helped the team achieve a 10–2 record.

In 2012, Samuels returned to the University of Alabama as a student assistant coach. He worked as an assistant offensive line coach while finishing his degree. In 2015, he became a high school coach at Osbourn High School in Virginia. He later coached at Winston Churchill High School and Northwest High School in Maryland.

Honors and Achievements

Chris Samuels has received several honors for his football career. In 2016, he was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. On October 20, 2019, he was inducted into the Redskins Ring of Fame. This honor celebrates the greatest players in the history of the Washington Redskins.

Personal Life

Chris Samuels is the younger brother of Arena Football League player and coach Lawrence Samuels. Chris married Monique Cox in March 2012. They have three children together. Monique was a cast member on the TV show The Real Housewives of Potomac. In 2023, Chris and Monique finalized their divorce.

Images for kids

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  Samuels in 2024

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  Chris Samuels with his family (2019)