Joe Horn facts for kids

Joseph "Joe" Horn (born January 16, 1972) is a former American football player. He was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Joe Horn was picked by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1996 NFL draft. He also played for the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons. Before the NFL, he played in the Canadian Football League (CFL). After his playing days, he became a coach.

Joe Horn's Early Life and Sports

Joe Horn grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He went to Douglas Byrd High School. There, he was a great athlete. He played many positions in football, like quarterback and wide receiver. He was even chosen as an all-star punter.

Joe was also a star basketball player. He started every game as a point guard for his high school team. He wanted to play for big colleges. But his grades and test scores were not high enough.

College Football Journey

Joe Horn played college football for two years. He played at Itawamba Community College in Mississippi from 1991 to 1992. He caught 54 passes for 878 yards and scored seven touchdowns. He also returned punts.

After community college, he still could not join a big college team. So, he went back to Fayetteville. He worked at a fast food restaurant and a furniture factory.

Becoming a Pro Football Player

Joe Horn did not play football for two years after college. He worked hard at his jobs. One day, he bought a workout video by famous football player Jerry Rice. Joe studied the video to learn new moves.

Then, he made his own video. It showed him working out and practicing. He sent this video to many professional teams. He hoped someone would give him a chance.

Playing in Canada

Joe Horn got a tryout with the Baltimore Stallions in the CFL. He joined their practice team. He also played a short time for the Shreveport Pirates. In 1995, he signed with the Memphis Mad Dogs.

With the Mad Dogs, Joe played very well. He caught 71 passes for 1,415 yards. His great play got the attention of NFL teams.

Time with the Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs chose Joe Horn in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL draft. For four seasons, he mostly played on special teams. He was also a backup wide receiver.

During his time with the Chiefs, he had 53 catches for 879 yards. He scored seven touchdowns. He started only two games.

Starring for the New Orleans Saints

In 2000, Joe Horn joined the New Orleans Saints. He quickly became a top receiver. He was given a starting role. His nickname, "Hollywood," came from his unique style.

He was chosen for the Pro Bowl four times while with the Saints. He set team records for receiving yards (1,399) and touchdowns (11). He also holds the Saints' record for most 100-yard receiving games (27). In 2004, he had his best year. He gained 1,399 receiving yards, which was second-most in the league.

After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, Joe Horn showed great support. He visited people who had to leave their homes. He helped the community. He also spoke out to make sure the Saints team was cared for. He still helps charities in New Orleans today.

After the 2006 season, the Saints asked Joe to take less money. He was 35 years old and had some injuries. He said no and asked to leave the team. The Saints then let him go.

Joe Horn ended his Saints career with 50 receiving touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl four times. He also had the second-most catches (523) and receiving yards (7,622) in Saints history.

Short Time with the Atlanta Falcons

In 2007, Joe Horn signed with the Atlanta Falcons. He signed a four-year contract. But he only played one season with them. He caught 27 passes for 243 yards and one touchdown. In 2008, the Falcons released him.

Retiring from Football

After leaving the Falcons, Joe Horn tried out for a few other teams. But he did not play in 2008 or 2009. In 2010, he was chosen for the Saints Hall of Fame.

On June 25, 2010, Joe Horn officially retired from football. He retired as a member of the New Orleans Saints. Since retiring, he has focused on selling his own "Bayou 87" barbecue sauce.

Joe Horn's NFL Career Stats

Famous Cell Phone Celebration

Joe Horn was known for being a lively player. He had a very memorable touchdown celebration in 2003. After scoring a touchdown, he pulled a cell phone from under the goalpost padding. He then pretended to make a call.

This prank cost him a 15-yard penalty. The NFL also fined him $30,000. Years later, Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas copied Horn's celebration. Joe Horn was very touched by this.

Coaching Career

Before the 2014 football season, Joe Horn became a coach. He was a volunteer wide receivers coach. He coached at Northeast Mississippi Community College.

Joe Horn's Family Life

Joe Horn is married and has six children. His son, Joe Jr., also played wide receiver. He played for Northeast Mississippi Community College in 2014 and 2015.

Another son, Jaycee, played college football at South Carolina. He was picked 8th overall in the 2021 NFL draft. He plays cornerback for the Carolina Panthers.