T. J. Houshmandzadeh facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
T. J. Houshmandzadeh

Houshmandzadeh with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006
No. 84
Position:	Wide receiver
Personal information
Born:	(1977-09-26) September 26, 1977 (age 47) Barstow, California, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	203 lb (92 kg)
Career information
High school:	Barstow
College:	Cerritos (1998–1999) Oregon State (2000)
NFL Draft:	2001 / Round: 7 / Pick: 204
Career history
As player:
Cincinnati Bengals (2001–2008) Seattle Seahawks (2009) Baltimore Ravens (2010) Oakland Raiders (2011)
As coach:
Long Beach Polytechnic (2016–2017) Wide receivers coach Long Beach Polytechnic (2018) Offensive coordinator
Career highlights and awards
Pro Bowl (2007) NFL receptions co-leader (2007) Cincinnati Bengals 40th Anniversary Team Second-team All-Pac-10 (2000)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 627 Receiving yards: 7,237 Receiving touchdowns: 44
Player stats at PFR

Touraj "T. J." Houshmandzadeh Jr. (born September 26, 1977) is a former American football player. He was a talented wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers. The Cincinnati Bengals picked him in the 2001 NFL draft. Houshmandzadeh also played for the Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, and Oakland Raiders. After his playing career, he became a football coach and analyst.

College Football Journey

Playing at Cerritos College

T. J. Houshmandzadeh started his college football journey at Cerritos College. He played for the Cerritos College Falcons in 1998 and 1999. He was chosen as a top wide receiver and kickoff returner twice. He originally wanted to be a running back. However, he decided to switch to wide receiver. During his time there, he caught 65 passes for 1,152 yards. He also had exciting long returns on kickoffs and punts.

Playing at Oregon State University

After his great performance at Cerritos College, Houshmandzadeh earned a scholarship. He went to Oregon State University to play for the Oregon State Beavers. In his only season as a starter in 2000, he caught 42 passes for 656 yards. He also scored six touchdowns. He helped his team win the 2001 Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame. Houshmandzadeh scored a touchdown in their big 41–9 victory. At Oregon State, he played with Chad Johnson. They later became teammates again in the NFL.

Professional Football Career

Cincinnati Bengals Years

Houshmandzadeh (84) with the Bengals in 2006.

The Cincinnati Bengals drafted T. J. Houshmandzadeh in 2001. He was the 204th player picked overall. He made his NFL debut in September 2001. As a rookie, he caught 21 passes for 228 yards. He also returned punts and kickoffs. He set a Bengals record with 126 punt return yards in one game.

In 2002, Houshmandzadeh scored his first NFL touchdown. He caught a four-yard pass against the Baltimore Ravens. He finished that season with 41 catches for 492 yards. He missed the 2003 season due to a leg injury.

In 2004, he became a starting receiver for the Bengals. He had a fantastic season with 73 catches for 978 yards. He scored four touchdowns. Former Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer described him as a "physical guy" and a "physical blocker."

Houshmandzadeh with the Bengals playing against the New York Giants on September 21, 2008.

In 2005, the Bengals gave Houshmandzadeh a new contract. He and Chad Johnson became known as one of the NFL's most exciting receiving duos. He had 78 catches for 856 yards and seven touchdowns that year.

In 2006, he had a career-best season. He caught 90 passes for 1,081 yards and nine touchdowns. He and Chad Johnson were the first Bengals teammates to each have over 1,000 receiving yards in the same season.

Houshmandzadeh before a home game in 2007

The 2007 season was another amazing year for Houshmandzadeh. He set a Bengals record with 112 catches. He also gained 1,143 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. His 112 catches tied him for the most in the entire NFL that year. Because of his great performance, he was chosen for the Pro Bowl for the first time. In 2008, he continued to play well, catching 92 passes for 904 yards.

Seattle Seahawks Season

In 2009, Houshmandzadeh signed with the Seattle Seahawks. He had 79 catches for 911 yards and three touchdowns that season. He was released by the Seahawks in 2010.

Baltimore Ravens Season

Houshmandzadeh then signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens in 2010. He caught 30 passes for 398 yards and three touchdowns. One of his touchdowns helped the Ravens win a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Oakland Raiders Season

In 2011, the Oakland Raiders signed Houshmandzadeh. This reunited him with his former Bengals quarterback, Carson Palmer. He caught his only touchdown as a Raider, a 40-yard pass from Palmer. He finished 2011 with 11 catches for 146 yards. This was his final season in the NFL before he retired.

Career Records

• Most punt return yards in a game for the Bengals (126 yards in 2001).
• Tied for the most receptions in the NFL in a season (112 catches in 2007).

Background and Name

T. J. Houshmandzadeh's father is Iranian American and his mother is African American. His last name was often shortened to "Housh" or "Hoosh" by fans.

In the Madden NFL video games, his last name was first shortened to "Houshmandz." Later, the game allowed longer names so his full name could be shown. He also appeared in a funny fantasy football TV commercial in 2006. In the commercial, people struggled to say his last name. His former teammate, Chad Ochocinco, even jokingly introduced him as "T. J. Who's-your-momma" on TV.

Life After Playing Football

After retiring from playing football, T. J. Houshmandzadeh became a football analyst. He now works for Fox Sports 1, sharing his knowledge of the game.