Jason Avant facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jason Avant

Avant with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013
No. 81
Position:	Wide receiver
Personal information
Born:	(1983-04-20) April 20, 1983 (age 42) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:	Carver (Chicago, Illinois)
College:	Michigan (2002–2005)
NFL Draft:	2006 / Round: 4 / Pick: 109
Career history
Philadelphia Eagles (2006–2013) Carolina Panthers (2014) Kansas City Chiefs (2014–2015)
Career highlights and awards
First-team All-Big Ten (2005) 2× Second-team All-Big Ten (2003, 2004) Bo Schembechler Award (2005)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 346 Receiving yards: 4,118 Receiving touchdowns: 13
Player stats at PFR

Jason Raye Avant, born on April 20, 1983, is a former American professional football player. He was a talented wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Jason played college football for the University of Michigan. The Philadelphia Eagles chose him in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft. Avant also played for the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs.

Early Life and High School Football

Jason Avant grew up in Chicago, Illinois. He went to Carver Military Academy and graduated in 2002. Before Carver, he spent his first year of high school at MacArthur High School in Decatur, IL.

At Carver, Avant was a star player on both defense and offense. He played as a free safety (a defensive player) and a wide receiver (an offensive player). He set amazing school records. He had 148 receptions (catches), 2,150 receiving yards, and 37 touchdowns. On defense, he made 18 interceptions (catching the ball from the other team). After his senior year, he was named a High School All-American. He also played in the 2002 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, a special game for top high school players.

College Career at Michigan

Jason Avant continued his football journey at the University of Michigan. He played as a wide receiver and on special teams. In his first year, he played a little. But in his second year (2003), he became the Wolverines' second-best receiver. He caught 47 passes for 772 yards that season.

As a junior, he was still one of the team's top receivers. In his senior year, Avant was the team leader. He had 82 receptions, 1,007 receiving yards, and eight receiving touchdowns. For his last two seasons, he was considered for the Fred Biletnikoff Award. This award goes to the best receiver in the country. After his senior year, he was named an All-American and won the Bo Schembechler Award. This award is given to Michigan's most valuable player.

Professional Football Journey

Jason Avant was chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft. The Eagles traded some players and a draft pick to get the chance to pick Avant. The Eagles' head coach, Andy Reid, said Avant had "great hands, toughness, leadership." He also said Avant was "very intelligent and a good route runner." Experts thought he would be a reliable receiver who could consistently catch the ball.

Playing for the Philadelphia Eagles

In his first year with the Eagles, Avant didn't play much offense. This was because the team had many good receivers. His best game as a rookie was in the last game of the season. He caught four passes for 40 yards and scored one touchdown.

After the 2009 season, Avant had his best year yet. He caught 41 passes for 587 yards and scored 3 touchdowns. He was recognized for his great play in the "slot position" (a specific receiver spot). A remarkable 32 of his 37 catches on third down helped the team get a first down.

The Eagles signed him to a new five-year contract in March 2010. He also received the Ed Block Courage Award for 2010. This award honors players who show courage and leadership. Jason Avant left the Philadelphia Eagles on March 4, 2014.

Time with the Carolina Panthers

On April 7, 2014, Avant signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers. In his second game with the Panthers, he scored his first touchdown for the team. This was in a 24–7 win against the Detroit Lions. He finished that game with five catches for 54 yards.

The Panthers released Avant on November 18, 2014. Coach Ron Rivera explained that they wanted to give more chances to a newer player.

Joining the Kansas City Chiefs

Avant then signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in November 2014. This meant he was reunited with his former Eagles coach, Andy Reid. He finished the 2014 season with 34 catches for 352 yards and one touchdown. He signed with the Chiefs again on March 13, 2015.

In the 2015 season, Avant had 15 catches for 119 yards and no touchdowns. He didn't catch a pass in 9 of the 16 games he played. His best game that season was in a playoff loss to the New England Patriots. He caught 4 passes for 69 yards in that game.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season Performance

Playoff Performance

Personal Life and Faith

Jason Avant enjoys playing Scrabble. He lives in Clementon, New Jersey, with his wife, Stacy. His parents are Jerry Avant and Claudette Patrick. His brother, Edwon Simmons, was also a sports player. Edwon played baseball for the Baltimore Orioles and was a safety at San Diego State. He now works as a talent scout for a sports agency.

Jason Avant is a Christian. He has shared how his faith in Jesus Christ changed his life on May 4, 2003. He felt like his eyes were opened to a new way of seeing the world. He realized he had a purpose and started to think about how his decisions would please God.

In 2017, Jason Avant opened a fun place called Launch. It is a trampoline park located in Deptford Township, New Jersey.

See also

• Lists of Michigan Wolverines football receiving leaders
• List of athletes from Chicago