Rashard Anderson facts for kids
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| Position: | Cornerback | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | June 14, 1977 Forest, Mississippi, U.S. |
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| Died: | July 13, 2022 (aged 45) | ||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 204 lb (93 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Forest (MS) | ||||||
| College: | Jackson State (1996–1999) | ||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2000 / Round: 1 / Pick: 23 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||
Rashard T. Anderson (born June 14, 1977 – died July 13, 2022) was an American professional football player. He played as a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for two seasons. Rashard played for the Carolina Panthers from 2000 to 2001. Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the Jackson State Tigers.
Early Life and College Football
Rashard Anderson was born in Forest, Mississippi, on June 14, 1977. He went to Forest High School in his hometown. After high school, he attended Jackson State University (JSU). There, he played as a cornerback for the Tigers from 1996 to 1999.
He helped the Tigers win the 1996 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship. He also played a key role when they won the 1999 SWAC Eastern Division title. Because of his great performance, the Carolina Panthers picked him in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He was the 23rd player chosen overall. Rashard and Sylvester Morris were the second pair of players from JSU to be picked in the first round of an NFL draft. The first pair was Walter Payton and Robert Brazile in 1975.
Playing in the NFL
Rashard Anderson started his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers on September 3, 2000. He was 23 years old at the time. His first game was a 20–17 loss against the Washington Redskins.
In his first NFL season, Rashard played in 12 games. He made 21 tackles. During the 2001 season, he played in 15 games. He recorded 47 tackles and made his only career interception. He also finished second in the NFL for yards gained from returning fumbles (97 yards). He was tied for the most touchdowns scored from fumble returns (1).
After his time with the Panthers, Anderson signed a contract with the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League in May 2005. However, he was released the next month when the team reduced its roster to 40 players for the regular season.
Life After Football
After he stopped playing professional football, Rashard Anderson became a substitute teacher. He also worked as an assistant football coach. He coached at Callaway High School and Murrah High School in Jackson. He was honored by being inducted into the JSU Sports Hall of Fame.
Rashard Anderson passed away on July 13, 2022, at the age of 45. He died from pancreatic cancer.
