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Richard Rodgers (tight end) facts for kids

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Richard Rodgers
refer to caption
Rodgers with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020
No. 89, 82, 85, 81
Position: Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1992-01-22) January 22, 1992 (age 33)
Martinez, California, U.S.
Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight: 257 lb (117 kg)
Career information
High school: Saint John's (Shrewsbury, Massachusetts)
College: California (2011–2013)
NFL Draft: 2014 / Round: 3 / Pick: 98
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 148
Receiving yards: 1,533
Receiving touchdowns: 15
Player stats at PFR

Richard Christopher Rodgers II (born on January 22, 1992) is an American football player who used to play as a tight end. He played college football for the California Golden Bears. The Green Bay Packers chose him in the 2014 NFL Draft. He also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team, Arizona Cardinals, and Los Angeles Chargers.

Richard Rodgers' Early Life and High School Sports

Richard Rodgers was born in California. He grew up there and also lived in Oregon and New Mexico. In 2004, his family moved to Worcester, Massachusetts. He went to St. John's High School in Shrewsbury.

Playing Basketball and Football

At St. John's, Richard was a great athlete. He played basketball for four years and football for three years. In basketball, he helped his team reach the state championship game every year. They even won the championship in 2009. He scored 1,423 points in his high school basketball career. This made him one of only 14 athletes at St. John's to score over 1,000 points.

In football, he helped his team win championships in central Massachusetts during his last two years. Another future NFL player, Rob Blanchflower, was his teammate in both football and basketball.

Family Connections to Football

Before his senior year, Richard decided to go to the University of California, Berkeley. His father, Richard Rodgers Sr., also played football there. His dad was famous for being part of a special play in college football called "The Play". Richard Rodgers is also cousins with Jairus Byrd, another NFL player.

Richard Rodgers' College Football Career

Richard Rodgers played for the California Golden Bears for three seasons, from 2011 to 2013. He played in 35 games and started 11 of them.

Key College Seasons

In 2012, as a sophomore, he caught 20 passes for 288 yards. His best season was in 2013, when he was a junior. That year, he caught 39 passes for 608 yards. He finished his college career with 59 catches for 896 yards and two touchdowns.

College Statistics Overview

California Golden Bears
Season Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2011 13 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
2012 11 6 20 288 14.4 51 1
2013 11 5 39 608 15.6 75 1
Total 35 11 59 896 15.2 75 2
Source: CalBears.com

Richard Rodgers' Professional Football Journey

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand size 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press Wonderlic
6 ft 4 in
(1.93 m)
257 lb
(117 kg)
325 101 4.87 s 1.69 s 2.82 s 4.47 s 7.23 s 31.5 in
(0.80 m)
9 ft 8 in
(2.95 m)
16 reps 22
All values are from NFL Combine

Time with the Green Bay Packers

Richard Rodgers Cropped
Rodgers in training camp with the Green Bay Packers in 2014

The Green Bay Packers chose Richard Rodgers in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He signed his first contract with them in June 2014. He played his first NFL game on September 4, 2014. In his fourth game, he caught his first two passes for 52 yards.

First Touchdown and the "Miracle in Motown"

Richard scored his first NFL touchdown on November 23, 2014. It was a 1-yard pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

A very famous moment for Richard happened on December 3, 2015. In a game against the Detroit Lions, the Packers were losing. With no time left, Aaron Rodgers threw a long pass, known as a "Hail Mary pass". Richard caught the ball for a 61-yard touchdown! This amazing play won the game for the Packers, 27-23. It was called "The Miracle in Motown" because it was such an unexpected win. Richard later said he thought about his father's famous "The Play" when it happened.

Playing for the Philadelphia Eagles (First Time)

In April 2018, Richard signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. He had a knee injury and was placed on injured reserve. He returned to play later that year. In one game, he caught a pass for 7 yards.

He signed with the Eagles again in March 2019. He was injured again with a foot problem and was released. However, he re-signed with them in December 2019.

Time with the Washington Football Team

Richard signed with the Washington Football Team in April 2020. This meant he was on the same team as his father, Richard Rodgers Sr., who worked for the team. He was released from the team in September 2020.

Return to the Philadelphia Eagles (Second Time)

Just a few days after leaving Washington, Richard signed back with the Eagles in September 2020. He became the starting tight end in Week 7 after other players were injured. In November 2020, he caught his first touchdown pass since 2017. In another game, he caught a 33-yard "Hail Mary" pass from Carson Wentz in the final minute.

He re-signed with the Eagles for the 2021 season but was later released. He joined their practice squad but was released again a week later.

Short Time with the Arizona Cardinals

Richard was signed to the Arizona Cardinals practice squad in October 2021. He was released just three days later.

Back with the Philadelphia Eagles (Third Time)

Richard signed with the Eagles' practice squad again in October 2021. He was moved to the main team in January 2022. He was later placed on a list for players who couldn't play due to injury and was released in August 2022.

Playing for the Los Angeles Chargers

In September 2022, Richard signed with the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad. He was later moved to the main team. He was placed on injured reserve in December 2022.

Richard Rodgers' NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season Games

Year Team Games Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2014 GB 16 5 20 225 11.3 43 2 0 0
2015 GB 16 12 58 510 8.8 61 8 0 0
2016 GB 16 6 30 271 9.0 22 2 0 0
2017 GB 15 1 12 160 13.3 36 1 0 0
2018 PHI 7 0 1 7 7.0 7 0 0 0
2019 PHI 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
2020 PHI 14 4 24 345 14.4 33 2 0 0
Total 85 28 145 1,518 10.5 61 15 0 0
Source: NFL.com

Playoff Games

Year Team Games Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2014 GB 2 0 5 48 9.6 13 1 0 0
2015 GB 2 2 7 56 8.0 15 0 0 0
2016 GB 3 0 1 34 34.0 34 1 0 0
2018 PHI 2 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
2019 PHI 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
Total 10 2 13 138 10.6 34 2 0 0
Source: NFL.com

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Richard Rodgers (fútbol americano) para niños

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