Tanner Purdum
Encyclopedia
Tanner Gregory Purdum is an American football
long snapper
for the New York Jets
of the National Football League
. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs
as a street free agent in 2009. He played college football
at Baker.
signed Purdum with the intention of having him compete for the starting job of long snapper. On August 13, 2009, the Chiefs waived Purdum in favor of Thomas Gafford
.
, who was an unrestricted free agent at the time, had a few snaps that were "off the mark" in 2009. Purdum was recommended to the team by former Chiefs punter Louie Aguiar
.
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...
long snapper
Long snapper
In American football and Canadian football, the term long snapper refers to a player who is a specialized center during punts, field goals, and extra point attempts. His job is to snap the ball as quickly and accurately as possible....
for the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
of 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 signed by 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...
as a street free agent in 2009. 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 Baker.
Kansas City Chiefs
On April 7, 2009, the 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...
signed Purdum with the intention of having him compete for the starting job of long snapper. On August 13, 2009, the Chiefs waived Purdum in favor of Thomas Gafford
Thomas Gafford
Thomas Edward Gafford is an American football long snapper for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as a street free agent in 2006...
.
New York Jets
On February 5, 2010, the New York Jets signed Purdum to a three year contract after incumbent long snapper James DearthJames Dearth
James Dearth is an American football long snapper / tight end who is currently a free agent. Dearth, who attended Tarleton State University, was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 1999 NFL Draft....
, who was an unrestricted free agent at the time, had a few snaps that were "off the mark" in 2009. Purdum was recommended to the team by former Chiefs punter Louie Aguiar
Louie Aguiar
Louis Raymond Aguiar , is a former American football punter. In his career, he has played for the New York Jets , the Kansas City Chiefs , the Green Bay Packers , and the Chicago Bears...
.