Vinny Testaverde facts for kids
Testaverde with the Baltimore Ravens in 1996
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| Position: | Quarterback | ||||||||||||||||
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| Born: | November 13, 1963 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 233 lb (106 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
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| High school: | Sewanhaka (Floral Park, New York) | ||||||||||||||||
| College: | Miami (FL) (1982–1986) | ||||||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1987 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1 | ||||||||||||||||
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Vincent Frank Testaverde Sr. (born November 13, 1963) is a former American football player. He was a quarterback, which is the player who throws the ball forward to start plays. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for 21 seasons.
Before joining the NFL, Vinny played college football for the Miami Hurricanes. He was recognized as an All-American and won the famous Heisman Trophy in 1986. This award goes to the most outstanding player in college football.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers chose Testaverde as the very first player in the 1987 NFL draft. He later played for several other teams, including the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, and New York Jets. He had some of his best moments with the Jets.
Vinny Testaverde's career was known for how long he played. He played for seven different teams over 21 years! He retired with many impressive passing statistics. However, he also holds the NFL record for the most losses as a starting quarterback. He was known for his strong arm but also for throwing many interceptions.
Contents
Early Life and High School Football
Vinny Testaverde was born in Brooklyn, New York City. He grew up in Elmont, New York, on Long Island. He went to Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, and finished in 1981.
After high school, he attended Fork Union Military Academy for an extra year of college preparation. When he was a kid, he was a big fan of the New York Jets.
College Football Career
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Testaverde received a scholarship to play football at the University of Miami. He played for the Miami Hurricanes football team from 1982 to 1986. He spent his first year learning and practicing without playing in games.
He became the main starting quarterback in 1985. In 1986, his senior year, he was named a unanimous First-team All-American. He also won the Heisman Trophy, the Davey O'Brien Award, and the Maxwell Award. He threw 26 touchdown passes that year, which was the most in major college football.
Testaverde helped the University of Miami become one of the best college football programs. He was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. In 2013, he was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Professional Football Journey
Vinny Testaverde was the very first player picked in the 1987 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played his first NFL game in Week 2 of that season. He made his first start later that year.
In his second season, Testaverde threw 35 interceptions. This was one of the highest numbers of interceptions by any quarterback in a single NFL season. During his time in Tampa, some fans and radio hosts made fun of him because he was colorblind.
Despite some challenges, Testaverde's performance improved. In 1989, he threw for over 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns. He continued to get better, and in his last season with Tampa Bay in 1992, he had a 57.5% completion rate.
Playing for the Cleveland Browns
In 1993, Testaverde joined the Cleveland Browns. He started as a backup but soon became the main quarterback. In 1994, he helped the Browns achieve an 11–5 record and reach the playoffs. They won their first playoff game against the New England Patriots but then lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Testaverde played for the Browns during their 1995 season. After that season, the team moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens.
Time with the Baltimore Ravens
In 1996, the Cleveland Browns team moved and became the Baltimore Ravens. Testaverde played two seasons with this new team. He scored the very first touchdown in Ravens history.
In 1996, he threw for over 4,000 passing yards and 33 touchdowns. This great season earned him his first Pro Bowl appearance. However, his performance was not as strong in 1997. He was later replaced by a backup quarterback due to an injury.
Success with the New York Jets (First Time)
In 1998, Testaverde joined his hometown team, the New York Jets. He started the season as a backup. However, the starting quarterback got injured, and Testaverde became the starter in Week 2.
He played very well, winning 12 out of 13 games as a starter. He completed 61.5% of his passes, threw 29 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions. This amazing season earned him his second Pro Bowl selection.
In a game against the Seattle Seahawks in December 1998, Testaverde was involved in a controversial play. He tried to score a touchdown, and the referee ruled it a touchdown even though the ball might not have crossed the line. This play helped lead to the NFL adopting a new instant replay system the next season.
With Testaverde as quarterback, the Jets won their division for the first time since the NFL merger. They reached the AFC Championship game but lost to the Denver Broncos.
The Jets had high hopes for the 1999 season. But in the very first game, Testaverde suffered a serious injury to his Achilles tendon and missed the rest of the season.
He returned in 2000. A famous game that season was the "Monday Night Miracle" against the Miami Dolphins. The Jets were far behind but came back to win, with Testaverde throwing five touchdown passes. In 2001, he led the Jets back to the playoffs.
Playing for the Dallas Cowboys
In 2004, Testaverde joined the Dallas Cowboys. He was brought in to be a backup and help guide younger quarterbacks. However, the starting quarterback was cut from the team, and Testaverde became the starter.
He threw for many yards that season. Dallas finished the 2004 season with a 6–10 record. Testaverde's contract with the Cowboys ended in 2005.
Return to the New York Jets (Second Time)
In September 2005, the New York Jets re-signed Testaverde because their main quarterbacks were injured. He became the Jets' starting quarterback again in Week 5.
On December 26, 2005, Testaverde set a new NFL record. He threw a touchdown pass for his 19th consecutive season. This pass was also the last touchdown thrown on Monday Night Football while it was still broadcast by ABC.
Time with the New England Patriots
On November 14, 2006, the New England Patriots signed Testaverde as a backup to Tom Brady. On December 31, 2006, he threw another touchdown pass, extending his NFL record to 20 straight seasons with a touchdown pass.
Final Season with the Carolina Panthers
In October 2007, the Carolina Panthers signed Testaverde because their quarterbacks were injured. He started his first game with the team on October 14, 2007. In that game, he threw a 65-yard touchdown pass, extending his NFL record to 21 consecutive seasons with a touchdown pass.
At 43 years old, he became the oldest starting quarterback to win a game in NFL history. On November 18, Testaverde (44 years old) and Brett Favre (38 years old) played against each other. This was the oldest starting quarterback duo in NFL history.
On December 2, Testaverde became the second-oldest starting quarterback in NFL history at 44 years and 19 days old. He won that game, breaking his own record for the oldest starter to win an NFL game.
Testaverde announced his retirement plans on December 29, 2007. His last game was on December 30 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team that first drafted him. He officially retired from professional football in January 2008.
Vinny Testaverde's Legacy
Despite his long career, Testaverde had mixed results in terms of wins and losses. As a starting quarterback, his teams won 90 games, lost 123, and had one tie. He led his team to the playoffs three times.
He holds several NFL records related to his long career. He threw a touchdown pass in 21 consecutive seasons, which is an NFL record. He also holds the record for the most losses by a starting quarterback (123). He threw touchdown passes to 70 different players, a record later broken by Tom Brady.
Testaverde was known for his strong arm. However, he was also known for throwing many turnovers (interceptions).
Awards and Achievements
- 2× Pro Bowl (1996, 1998)
- AFC Passing Touchdowns Leader (1996, 1998)
- AFC Passer Rating Leader (1998)
- Inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame (2006)
- Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (2013)
- Inducted into the Long Island Sports Hall of Fame (1987)
Personal Life
Vinny Testaverde is currently a quarterbacks coach at Jesuit High School of Tampa. His son, Vincent Jr., also played college football as a quarterback. Vinny and his wife, Mitzi, have two daughters, Alicia and Madeleine, and their son, Vincent Jr. They live in Tampa, Florida.
Images for kids
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Testaverde with the Baltimore Ravens in 1996
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Testaverde with the Miami Hurricanes in 1986
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Testaverde with the Carolina Panthers in November 2007
