Robert Meachem facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Robert Meachem

Meachem with the Saints in 2009
No. 12, 17
Position:	Wide receiver
Personal information
Born:	(1984-09-28) September 28, 1984 (age 40) Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school:	Booker T. Washington (Tulsa)
College:	Tennessee (2003–2006)
NFL Draft:	2007 / Round: 1 / Pick: 27
Career history
As player:
New Orleans Saints (2007–2011) San Diego Chargers (2012) New Orleans Saints (2013–2014) Richmond Roughriders (2018)
As coach:
De La Salle High School (New Orleans) Wide receivers coach (2019–present)
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XLIV) First-team All-American (2006) First-team All-SEC (2006)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 178 Receiving yards: 2,914 Receiving touchdowns: 27
Player stats at PFR

Robert Emery Meachem (born September 28, 1984) is a former American football player. He was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL), mostly for the New Orleans Saints. He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers. In 2006, he was named a first-team All-American. The New Orleans Saints picked Meachem in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft. He also played one season with the San Diego Chargers.

Early Life and Sports

Robert Meachem grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He started playing football in elementary school. He played for a team called the "Mabee Babies" at The Salvation Army North Mabee Boys & Girls Club.

When he was in middle school, Robert was also a talented basketball player. After eighth grade, his AAU team, the Tulsa Jammers, won a national basketball championship.

Robert went to Booker T. Washington High School. There, he played with future NFL players Felix Jones and Mark Anderson. He was named a high school All-American in football. Robert also played point guard on his high school basketball team. They won state championships two years in a row, in 2001 and 2002.

College Football Career

Robert Meachem went to the University of Tennessee in 2003. He joined a strong group of new players, including other receivers. However, Robert had a knee injury before the season started. Because of this, he redshirted his first year. This means he practiced with the team but didn't play in any games. It allowed him to save a year of eligibility.

In 2004, as a redshirt freshman, Robert caught 25 passes for 459 yards. He played in all 13 games and led his team in receiving yards. His first catch in college was a 35-yard touchdown against UNLV.

In 2005, Robert played in all 11 games. He again led the team in receiving yards with 383 yards on 29 catches.

The year 2006 was Robert's best college season. He and his teammates, including quarterback Erik Ainge, had amazing performances. In a game against Kentucky, Robert gained 116 receiving yards. This pushed his total for the season to a new school record of 1,265 yards. He also scored 11 touchdowns that year. Robert had six games where he gained over 100 receiving yards. He led the SEC with 71 catches for a school record of 1,298 yards. He also had 11 touchdowns.

Overall, in 37 games at Tennessee, Robert caught 125 passes. He became the sixth player in school history to gain more than 2,000 receiving yards. He finished with 2,140 yards and 17 touchdowns. Because of his great performance, he was chosen for the All-SEC team and was a consensus All-American. After this successful season, Robert decided to skip his final year of college and enter the 2007 NFL draft.

Professional Football Career

New Orleans Saints (First Time)

The New Orleans Saints chose Robert Meachem with the 27th pick in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft. He signed a five-year contract with the team. However, Robert had knee surgery and could not play during his first year in the NFL.

In 2008, Robert played his first NFL game. On September 14, 2008, he caught his first NFL pass. It was a 19-yard touchdown pass against the Washington Redskins.

Meachem at the Saints' Super Bowl XLIV victory parade in Downtown New Orleans

In Week 4 of the 2008 season, Robert got more playing time. This happened when the Saints' top receiver, Marques Colston, was injured. In that game, Robert had two catches for 99 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown. He finished the 2008 season with 12 catches for 289 yards and 3 touchdowns.

On December 6, 2009, in a game against the Redskins, Robert made an amazing play. A Redskins player intercepted a pass from Drew Brees. Robert then pulled the ball away from the player and ran it into the end zone for a touchdown! In the same game, he caught a 53-yard touchdown pass with little time left, tying the game. The Saints won in overtime and improved their record to 12–0. Robert had a career-high 142 receiving yards in that game. The 2009 Saints went on to win Super Bowl XLIV, becoming NFL champions!

In the 2010 season, Robert had 44 catches for 638 yards and five touchdowns. He stayed with the Saints through the 2011 season. During his five years with the team, he had 141 catches for 2,269 yards and 23 touchdowns in regular season games. He also played in six playoff games, catching 14 passes for 184 yards and one touchdown.

San Diego Chargers

On March 13, 2012, Robert signed a four-year contract with the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers hoped he would replace their former star receiver, Vincent Jackson. Robert caught two touchdowns in a game against his old team, the Saints, in 2012. However, his time with the Chargers was not as successful as expected. Many people felt he did not live up to the big contract he received. On September 1, 2013, the Chargers released Robert from the team.

New Orleans Saints (Second Time)

On September 3, 2013, Robert signed a one-year contract to return to the Saints. In the 2013 season, he caught 16 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns. The Saints signed him again for another year in 2014. He finished the 2014 season with seven catches for 114 yards in 11 games. After the 2014 season, his contract ended, and he became a free agent.

Richmond Roughriders

In 2018, Robert Meachem signed with the Richmond Roughriders. This team plays in the American Arena League, which is a different type of football played indoors on a smaller field.

Life Outside Football

Robert Meachem was a contestant on NBC's Minute to Win It. He played in an online episode to win money for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater New Orleans.

Robert also started the Robert Emery Meachem Follow Your Dreams Foundation. This foundation aims to help young people in America. Its first goal was to provide books to children aged 4 to 17 in north Tulsa.

In 2018, Robert was a player in Your Call Football. This was an exciting new game where fans could call plays live for the players during the game.