Amani Toomer
Encyclopedia
Amani Toomer is a retired American football
wide receiver
who played in the National Football League
. He was drafted by the New York Giants
in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Michigan
, where he was a fan favorite.
Toomer has also been a member of the Kansas City Chiefs
. He earned a Super Bowl ring
with the Giants in Super Bowl XLII
.
n at De La Salle High School
in Concord, California
. Amani attended Albany High School (Albany, California) his freshmen year before transferring to De La Salle where he played the remanding three. After Freshman football, Amani played the next 3 years on Varsity. Several publications, including USA Today
, Parade
, and The Sporting News
ranked him as one of the top high school wide receivers in the nation.
. As a junior in 1994, he became only the third player in school history, after Jack Clancy
and Desmond Howard
, to post 1,000 receiving yards in a season, finishing with 54 receptions for 1,096 yards and six touchdowns; he was named to the All-Big Ten Conference
First Team. His senior year in 1995, Toomer caught 44 passes for 758 yards and seven scores and was voted to the All-Big Ten Second Team.
by the Giants. His rookie season, he was primarily the punt and kick returner for the team, and set a record in his first game with an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown, the longest in team history, against the Buffalo Bills
. He returned a second punt for a touchdown that season against the Philadelphia Eagles
, before injuring his anterior cruciate ligament
and spending the rest of the season on injured reserve
. The next season, he scored another punt return touchdown, as well as his first receiving touchdown, a 56-yard reception from Danny Kanell
against the Arizona Cardinals
.
In 1998, the 5-8 Giants hosted the 13-0 Denver Broncos
, hoping to pull an upset. Trailing 16-13 late in the game, Toomer caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Kent Graham
with only 48 seconds left in the game as the Giants ruined the Broncos' dream of a perfect season by winning 20-16.
Toomer finally became a starting wide receiver for the 1999 NFL season
, and ended up setting at the time what was a team record for receptions in a season (79). He and Ike Hilliard
combined to become the first Giants duo to post over 2,100 receiving yards. His six touchdowns led the team, and his 1,183 yards were the second highest in team history behind Homer Jones
. The following season, he came one short of tying his own record for receptions, and increased his touchdown total to seven.
During the 2001 NFL season
, with 72 catches, he became the first Giants wideout to have three consecutive 70-reception seasons . He broke several Giants records in 2002
, when he caught 82 passes for 1,343 yards and eight touchdowns; the eight touchdowns set a career-high, while the passes and receiving yards were new team records. His 204 yards against the Indianapolis Colts
were the highest total for any wide receiver for a 60-minute game (two players had higher receiving totals, but both of those games went to overtime
).
In 2003
, Toomer surpassed Frank Gifford
as the team's all-time leading receiving yardage leader, and finished the season with 6,366 yards. His 418 catches were also second all-time to running back
teammate Tiki Barber
.
The 2004 NFL season
marked the first time he did not score a touchdown since his rookie year, although he did finish the season with 51 catches for 747 yards, the sixth consecutive season he topped 50 catches and 700 yards.
Toomer entered the 2005 season
in sole possession of the Giants' yardage record.
After a subpar 2004 campaign, Toomer rebounded to have a solid 2005 season. With new starting quarterback Eli Manning
throwing for almost 3,800 yards, Toomer had 60 receptions for almost 800 yards. The highlights of his season included a last second touchdown reception against the Denver Broncos, a late game-tying touchdown at Seattle, and a terrific fourth and goal touchdown catch against the Rams.
Toomer expected to go into 2006 as the Giants number two receiver, but quickly showed signs of brilliance. In a week two matchup in Philadelphia, Toomer helped to spark a 17-point comeback by hauling in a career-high 12 receptions with two touchdowns. Physically exhausted by game's end, he had to be carried off the field by trainers. The media honored him for his work ethic and team dedication. Toomer's season came to an end after eight games when he suffered a partially torn ACL while playing against the Houston Texans
.
During the 2007 season
, he had 59 Receptions, 760 Yards, and 3 touchdowns. Toomer helped groom draft pick Steve Smith
who is often compared to Toomer's style of play. This season he once again passed Barber's team record for catches, and passed Kyle Rote
for the team touchdown record, which was currently at 51. On January 13, 2008, during the 2007 divisional playoff round, he caught a 52 yard touchdown pass, his longest since a 77 yard touchdown on November 30, 2003. This catch broke the club record for most postseason receptions. Toomer went on to have 4 receptions, 2 of them for touchdowns, in the New York Giants 21-17 upset over the Dallas Cowboys. His first touchdown gave the Giants a 7-0 lead after he caught an 11 yard pass, eluded three tacklers and ran 50 yards for the score. In the Giants Super Bowl victory against the previously undefeated Patriots, Toomer led the Giants with six receptions and 84 yards. Prior to the start of Giants mini-camp in May 2008, Toomer and the Giants were invited by President Bush
to the White House
to honor their victory in Super Bowl XLII.
on August 4, 2009. He was released on September 1st. Head Coach Todd Haley said "the thing I have been trying to stress to these guys is that I am trying to find the right 53 and we are going to do it at all costs."
bespoke.
joined MSG Varsity's coverage of "Friday Night Football."
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
who played in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft
1996 NFL Draft
The 1996 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 20–21, 1996...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
, where he was a fan favorite.
Toomer has also been a member of the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
. He earned a Super Bowl ring
Super Bowl ring
The Super Bowl ring is an award in the National Football League given to the winners of the league's annual championship game, the Super Bowl...
with the Giants in Super Bowl XLII
Super Bowl XLII
Super Bowl XLII was an American football game on February 3, 2008 that featured the National Football Conference champion New York Giants and the American Football Conference champion New England Patriots to decide the National Football League champion for the 2007 season...
.
Early years
Toomer was an All-AmericaAll-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n at De La Salle High School
De La Salle High School (Concord, California)
De La Salle High School is a Roman Catholic Private school for boys in Concord, California, United States. Located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland, the school was founded in 1965 as a Lasallian institution. De La Salle currently enrolls just over 1,000 students, and roughly 99% of each...
in Concord, California
Concord, California
Concord is the largest city in Contra Costa County, California, USA. At the 2010 census, the city had a population of 122,067. Originally founded in 1869 as the community of Todos Santos by Salvio Pacheco, the name was changed to Concord within months...
. Amani attended Albany High School (Albany, California) his freshmen year before transferring to De La Salle where he played the remanding three. After Freshman football, Amani played the next 3 years on Varsity. Several publications, including USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
, Parade
Parade (magazine)
Parade is an American nationwide Sunday newspaper magazine, distributed in more than 500 newspapers in the United States. It was founded in 1941 and is owned by Advance Publications. The most widely read magazine in the U.S., Parade has a circulation of 32.2 million and a readership of nearly 70...
, and The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
ranked him as one of the top high school wide receivers in the nation.
College career
Toomer attended the University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. As a junior in 1994, he became only the third player in school history, after Jack Clancy
Jack Clancy
Jack David Clancy is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Miami Dolphins in 1967 and 1969 and for the Green Bay Packers in 1970. He also played in college for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1963 to 1966....
and Desmond Howard
Desmond Howard
Desmond Kevin Howard is a former NFL wide receiver, punt returner, and kickoff returner.He played football for the University of Michigan from 1989–1991 and won the Heisman Trophy in 1991...
, to post 1,000 receiving yards in a season, finishing with 54 receptions for 1,096 yards and six touchdowns; he was named to the All-Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
First Team. His senior year in 1995, Toomer caught 44 passes for 758 yards and seven scores and was voted to the All-Big Ten Second Team.
New York Giants
Toomer was drafted in the second round (34th overall) of the 1996 NFL Draft1996 NFL Draft
The 1996 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 20–21, 1996...
by the Giants. His rookie season, he was primarily the punt and kick returner for the team, and set a record in his first game with an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown, the longest in team history, against the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He returned a second punt for a touchdown that season against the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, before injuring his anterior cruciate ligament
Anterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
and spending the rest of the season on injured reserve
Injured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
. The next season, he scored another punt return touchdown, as well as his first receiving touchdown, a 56-yard reception from Danny Kanell
Danny Kanell
Daniel Paul Kanell is a former professional American football quarterback in the National Football League, and Arena Football League.-College career:...
against the Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
In 1998, the 5-8 Giants hosted the 13-0 Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, hoping to pull an upset. Trailing 16-13 late in the game, Toomer caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Kent Graham
Kent Graham
Kent Douglas Graham is a former professional American football quarterback in the National Football League. Graham played quarterback at the University of Notre Dame before transferring to Ohio State University...
with only 48 seconds left in the game as the Giants ruined the Broncos' dream of a perfect season by winning 20-16.
Toomer finally became a starting wide receiver for the 1999 NFL season
1999 NFL season
The 1999 NFL season was the 80th regular season of the National Football League. The Cleveland Browns returned to the field for the first time since the 1995 season...
, and ended up setting at the time what was a team record for receptions in a season (79). He and Ike Hilliard
Ike Hilliard
Isaac Jason "Ike" Hilliard is a former American college and professional football player who was a wide receiver for twelve seasons in the National Football League during the 1990s and 2000s. He played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally for...
combined to become the first Giants duo to post over 2,100 receiving yards. His six touchdowns led the team, and his 1,183 yards were the second highest in team history behind Homer Jones
Homer Jones (football player)
Homer Carroll Jones is a former American football wide receiver, who played for the National Football League's New York Giants from 1964 to 1969, and for the Cleveland Browns in 1970.- Early life :...
. The following season, he came one short of tying his own record for receptions, and increased his touchdown total to seven.
During the 2001 NFL season
2001 NFL season
The 2001 NFL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Football League.Following a pattern set in 1999, the first week of the season was permanently moved to the weekend following Labor Day...
, with 72 catches, he became the first Giants wideout to have three consecutive 70-reception seasons . He broke several Giants records in 2002
2002 NFL season
The 2002 NFL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Football League.The league went back to an even number of teams, expanding to 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans. The clubs were then realigned into eight divisions, four teams in each...
, when he caught 82 passes for 1,343 yards and eight touchdowns; the eight touchdowns set a career-high, while the passes and receiving yards were new team records. His 204 yards against the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
were the highest total for any wide receiver for a 60-minute game (two players had higher receiving totals, but both of those games went to overtime
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
).
In 2003
2003 NFL season
-Milestones:The following teams and players set all-time NFL records during the season:-Team:-Individual:-Awards:-External Links:**-References:*NFL Record and Fact Book *...
, Toomer surpassed Frank Gifford
Frank Gifford
Francis Newton "Frank" Gifford is a Hall of Fame former American football player and American sportscaster.-Early life:Gifford was born in Santa Monica, California, the son of Lola Mae and Weldon Gifford, an oil driller....
as the team's all-time leading receiving yardage leader, and finished the season with 6,366 yards. His 418 catches were also second all-time to running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
teammate Tiki Barber
Tiki Barber
Atiim Kiambu Hakeem-Ah "Tiki" Barber is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia....
.
The 2004 NFL season
2004 NFL season
The 2004 NFL season was the 85th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 9, 2004 to January 2, 2005...
marked the first time he did not score a touchdown since his rookie year, although he did finish the season with 51 catches for 747 yards, the sixth consecutive season he topped 50 catches and 700 yards.
Toomer entered the 2005 season
2005 NFL season
The 2005 NFL season was the 86th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 8, 2005 to January 1, 2006...
in sole possession of the Giants' yardage record.
After a subpar 2004 campaign, Toomer rebounded to have a solid 2005 season. With new starting quarterback Eli Manning
Eli Manning
Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
throwing for almost 3,800 yards, Toomer had 60 receptions for almost 800 yards. The highlights of his season included a last second touchdown reception against the Denver Broncos, a late game-tying touchdown at Seattle, and a terrific fourth and goal touchdown catch against the Rams.
Toomer expected to go into 2006 as the Giants number two receiver, but quickly showed signs of brilliance. In a week two matchup in Philadelphia, Toomer helped to spark a 17-point comeback by hauling in a career-high 12 receptions with two touchdowns. Physically exhausted by game's end, he had to be carried off the field by trainers. The media honored him for his work ethic and team dedication. Toomer's season came to an end after eight games when he suffered a partially torn ACL while playing against the Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
During the 2007 season
2007 NFL season
The 2007 NFL season was the 88th regular season of the National Football League.Regular-season play was held from September 6 to December 30....
, he had 59 Receptions, 760 Yards, and 3 touchdowns. Toomer helped groom draft pick Steve Smith
Steve Smith (New York Giants)
Steve Smith is an American football wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
who is often compared to Toomer's style of play. This season he once again passed Barber's team record for catches, and passed Kyle Rote
Kyle Rote
William Kyle Rote, Sr. was an American football player and sports announcer.-Early life:Rote attended Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio, Texas, where he was an all-state basketball and football player....
for the team touchdown record, which was currently at 51. On January 13, 2008, during the 2007 divisional playoff round, he caught a 52 yard touchdown pass, his longest since a 77 yard touchdown on November 30, 2003. This catch broke the club record for most postseason receptions. Toomer went on to have 4 receptions, 2 of them for touchdowns, in the New York Giants 21-17 upset over the Dallas Cowboys. His first touchdown gave the Giants a 7-0 lead after he caught an 11 yard pass, eluded three tacklers and ran 50 yards for the score. In the Giants Super Bowl victory against the previously undefeated Patriots, Toomer led the Giants with six receptions and 84 yards. Prior to the start of Giants mini-camp in May 2008, Toomer and the Giants were invited by President Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
to the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
to honor their victory in Super Bowl XLII.
Kansas City Chiefs
Toomer was signed to a one-year contract by Kansas City ChiefsKansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
on August 4, 2009. He was released on September 1st. Head Coach Todd Haley said "the thing I have been trying to stress to these guys is that I am trying to find the right 53 and we are going to do it at all costs."
Appearances
Toomer was invited to take part in designing his own shoe by NIKEiDNIKEiD
NIKEiD is a service provided by Nike allowing customers to personalize and design their own Nike merchandise. They offer online services as well as physical NIKEiD studios in different countries around the world, including: United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany, China and the USA.- Description...
bespoke.
MSG Varsity
Toomer and fellow former New York Giant Roman ObenRoman Oben
Roman Dissake Oben is an American football offensive tackle who retired in 2008. He co-hosts the New York Giants pre and post game show on WFAN in the fall as well as being a television color football analyst for MSG Varsity high school sports television network...
joined MSG Varsity's coverage of "Friday Night Football."