Joe Webb facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Joe Webb

Webb with the Carolina Panthers in 2016
No. 14, 5, 19
Position:	Quarterback
Personal information
Born:	(1986-11-14) November 14, 1986 (age 38) Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:	231 lb (105 kg)
Career information
High school:	Wenonah (Birmingham)
College:	UAB (2005–2009)
NFL Draft:	2010 / Round: 6 / Pick: 199
Career history
Minnesota Vikings (2010–2013) Carolina Panthers (2014–2016) Buffalo Bills (2017) Houston Texans (2018–2019) Detroit Lions (2020)* New York Giants (2020)
Career highlights and awards
C-USA Offensive Player of the Year (2009) Second-team All-C-USA (2009)
Career NFL statistics
Passing yards: 888 TD–INT: 3–6 Passer rating: 63.1 Receiving yards: 74 Rushing yards: 326 Rushing touchdowns: 4 Return yards: 401
Player stats at PFR

Joseph Webb III (born November 14, 1986) is a former American football player. He played in the National Football League (NFL) as a quarterback, wide receiver, and kick returner. He also played on special teams, which are groups of players used for specific plays like kickoffs.

Joe Webb played college football for the UAB Blazers. The Minnesota Vikings chose him in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL draft. He also played for the Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, and New York Giants. Joe Webb holds an NFL record for the most tackles made by a quarterback, with 29.

Early Life and High School Football

Joe Webb was born to Joseph and Wanda Webb. He went to Ensley High School from 2001 to 2004. Later, he moved to Wenonah High School in 2004.

At Wenonah, he was named an honorable mention for Class 5A All-State. This award came from the Alabama Sports Writers Association. He helped his team reach the first round of the state playoffs. They finished third in their region. Webb also set a school record at Wenonah. He threw four touchdowns in one game, with 415 passing yards. Besides football, Webb played basketball and baseball. He was also a member of the National Honor Society.

College Football Career

Webb started at the UAB in 2005. He spent his first year as a "redshirt" player. This means he practiced with the team but did not play in games. This allowed him to gain experience without using up a year of his college eligibility.

First Years at UAB

In 2006, Webb got his first chance to play in the 11th game of the season. He started the last two games. In the final game against the University of Central Florida, he completed 33 of 51 passes. This was 64.7% of his passes, for 426 yards and one touchdown. This was the most passing yards for any UAB quarterback that year.

In 2007, Webb played a lot more under a new coach. He played as a wide receiver. He started seven games and caught 30 passes for 459 yards. He also scored three touchdowns as a receiver.

Becoming a Star Quarterback

The 2008 season was Webb's first full year as UAB's starting quarterback. He started all 12 games. He broke the C-USA record for rushing yards by a quarterback in one season. He ran for 1,021 yards. He was also ranked fourth in the nation for rushing yards among quarterbacks. His teammates chose him as a permanent team captain.

As a junior, Webb made history. He became the first player in NCAA history to pass for over 2,000 yards and rush for over 1,000 yards in two years in a row. He was among the top 12 players nationally in three areas: total offense, rushing, and passing efficiency.

In his senior year (2009), Webb finished with 2,299 passing yards. He also ran for 1,427 yards. He was named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year for 2009.

College Career Totals

During his college career, Webb had 5,771 passing yards and 2,774 rushing yards. This added up to 8,545 total yards gained. He also scored 37 passing touchdowns, 24 rushing touchdowns, and four receiving touchdowns.

Webb was not invited to the 2010 NFL combine. However, he showed off his skills at UAB's "Pro Day." He worked out as a wide receiver. His vertical jump of 42.5 inches (108 cm) was better than any receiver at the NFL combine. His standing long jump of 11 feet 5.5 inches (3.49 m) was also the best. He also did 21 reps on the bench press at 225 pounds (102 kg). This was the best for his position. Webb also ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds.

College Statistics

Professional Football Career

Minnesota Vikings

2010 Season with the Vikings

Webb at the Vikings training camp in 2011.

On April 24, 2010, the Minnesota Vikings picked Joe Webb. He was the 199th player chosen in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL draft. He was first seen as a player who could be a quarterback or a wide receiver. But the head coach, Brad Childress, said Webb would only play quarterback for the Vikings.

Webb's first NFL game was against the Buffalo Bills on December 5, 2010. He returned the opening kickoff. This made him the first Vikings quarterback to return a kickoff. He then left the game because of a hamstring injury.

Webb played quarterback for the first time in a professional game on December 13, 2010. This was against the New York Giants. He completed two of five passes for eight yards. He also had a 16-yard run.

On December 20, 2010, Webb scored his first professional touchdown as a quarterback. This was against the Chicago Bears. He filled in for an injured Brett Favre. He completed 15 of 26 passes for 129 yards. He also ran six times for 38 yards and scored a touchdown.

On December 28, 2010, Webb started his first NFL game. This was against the Philadelphia Eagles. He scored one rushing touchdown and threw for 195 yards. He completed 17 of 26 passes with no interceptions. The Vikings were expected to lose by a lot, but they won 24–14. In the last game of the regular season, against the Detroit Lions, he had 145 passing yards and one interception in a 20–13 loss.

2011 Season: The "Blazer Package"

During the 2011 season, the Vikings sometimes used Webb in a special "blazer package." This was a set of plays made for his unique skills.

In a game against the Detroit Lions, the starting quarterback was benched. Webb came into the game when the team was losing 31–14. He almost led a comeback victory. He threw his first professional touchdown pass. He also ran for 109 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown run. This was a record for Vikings quarterbacks and his longest run ever. His 109 rushing yards set a team record for a quarterback in one game. The Vikings ended up at the one-yard line with nine seconds left, losing 34–28. On the last play, Webb fumbled the ball, and the game ended.

On December 24, 2011, against the Washington Redskins, Webb played after the starting quarterback left with a concussion. Webb completed 4 of 5 passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for another touchdown. He led the team to a 33–26 win.

For the 2011 season, Webb had 376 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also had 154 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

2012 and 2013 Seasons

In the 2012 season, Webb's role was smaller. He did not play quarterback in the regular season. On January 5, 2013, Webb started the Vikings' playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. This was because the usual starting quarterback was injured. Webb completed 11 of 30 passes for 180 yards and one touchdown. The Vikings lost that game.

In 2013, the Vikings signed a new quarterback. The coach, Leslie Frazier, said Webb might play other positions. On May 15, it was confirmed that Webb would switch to wide receiver. Webb later said he did not want to play quarterback for the Vikings again. In 2013, Webb caught five passes for 33 yards.

Carolina Panthers

Webb and Cam Newton in 2016

On March 21, 2014, Webb signed with the Carolina Panthers. Even though he had said he didn't want to play quarterback again, he was the third-string quarterback for the Panthers. He did not throw any passes for the Panthers. He was sometimes used as a wide receiver. His main job with the Panthers was returning kickoffs.

In the 2015 season, Webb continued to return kickoffs for the Panthers. On February 7, 2016, Webb played in Super Bowl 50 with the Panthers. He was the team's kick returner. The Panthers lost to the Denver Broncos 24–10. On September 2, 2017, the Panthers released Webb.

Buffalo Bills

On September 4, 2017, Webb signed with the Buffalo Bills. Webb played in a special "wildcat formation" and on special teams for the Bills during the 2017 season. He also played quarterback in a snowy game against the Indianapolis Colts on December 10. He played in the third quarter, fourth quarter, and overtime. The Bills won 13–7 in overtime.

Houston Texans

On April 5, 2018, Webb signed with the Houston Texans. He was released by the team on September 1, but signed again the next day. On March 21, 2019, Webb signed with the Texans again. On August 31, 2019, Webb was placed on injured reserve.

Detroit Lions and New York Giants

On September 23, 2020, Webb joined the Detroit Lions practice squad as a wide receiver. He was released on October 20.

On December 8, 2020, Webb signed with the New York Giants' practice squad. On December 19, 2020, he was moved to the active roster. On January 2, 2021, the Giants waived Webb. Six days later, he signed a reserve/future contract with them. On May 18, 2021, Webb was released by the Giants.

NFL Career Statistics

Boxing Career

Joe Webb made his first professional boxing match on Saturday, August 5, 2023. This fight took place at Bartow Arena. The match ended in a majority draw, meaning most of the judges scored it as a tie.