50.200.200.195 (talk) No edit summary |
WikiOriginal-9 (talk | contribs) article was in poor shape, last stable version |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Infobox NFL |
{{Infobox NFL player |
||
|name = Iheanyi Uwaezuoke |
|name = Iheanyi Uwaezuoke |
||
|image = |
|||
|image = African Sports Star Iheanyi Uwaezuoke as photogenic alias- 'ehani'.jpg |
|||
|image_size = |
|||
|caption = In 2000, Uwaezuoke (pictured here during the 94th season in the history of the NFL) appeared in 11 contests as a Carolina Panther and set a franchise record with an "unofficial" NFL leading 17.3 yards per punt return. |
|||
| |
|caption = |
||
|alt = |
|||
|number = 89, 80 |
|number = 89, 80 |
||
|position = [[Wide receiver]] / [[Punt returner]] |
|position = [[Wide receiver]] / [[Punt returner]] |
||
Line 12: | Line 13: | ||
|height_ft = 6 |
|height_ft = 6 |
||
|height_in = 2 |
|height_in = 2 |
||
|weight_lbs = 198 |
|weight_lbs = 198 |
||
|high_school= |
|high_school=[[Harvard-Westlake School|Los Angeles (CA) Harvard]] |
||
|college = [[California Golden Bears football|California]] |
|college = [[California Golden Bears football|California]] |
||
|draftyear = 1996 |
|draftyear = 1996 |
||
Line 23: | Line 24: | ||
* [[Detroit Lions]] ({{NFL Year|1999}}) |
* [[Detroit Lions]] ({{NFL Year|1999}}) |
||
* [[Carolina Panthers]] ({{NFL Year|2000}}) |
* [[Carolina Panthers]] ({{NFL Year|2000}}) |
||
|highlights = 27th on NFL All-Time list for Career Yards per Punt Return<ref>http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=UWAEZIHE01</ref> |
|||
|highlights = |
|||
<br /> |
|||
* [[Nigeria]] '''number 5: top ranked football players of all time''' <ref>http://www.ainsworthsports.com/football_player_rankings_by_nation.htm</ref> |
|||
<ref>http://wrf.nigeriagovernance.org/organizations/view/666</ref><ref name="the234project.com">http://the234project.com/iheanyi-uwaezuoke/</ref> |
|||
<br /> |
|||
* [[NFL]] '''number 27: career yards per runt return'''<ref>http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}? ilkid=UWAEZIHE01</ref> |
|||
<br /> |
|||
* [[NFL]] '''number 3: single season punt returns for touchdown'''<ref>http://www.pro-football- reference.com/players/U/UwaeIh00.htm#all_leaderboard</ref> |
|||
<br /> |
|||
* [[NFL]] '''top ten: single season yards per punt return (as a first year starter)''' |
|||
<ref name="infoplease.com">http://www.infoplease.com/ipsa/A0301936.html</ref> |
|||
<ref>http://www.tradingcarddb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/4267/cid/945048/1998-Ultra-261-Iheanyi-Uwaezuoke</ref> |
|||
<br /> |
|||
* [[NFL]] '''number 1: single season unassisted special teams tackles'''<ref>http://www.profootballarchives.com/playeru/uwae00200.html</ref> |
|||
<br /> |
|||
* [[NCAA]] '''top 15: 5.6 receptions per game (as a junior)'''<ref name="si.com">http://www.si.com/vault/1995/08/05/211404/1994-regular-season-stats</ref> |
|||
<br /> |
|||
<br /> |
|||
|statseason = 2000 |
|statseason = 2000 |
||
|statlabel1 = Receptions |
|statlabel1 = Receptions |
||
Line 59: | Line 42: | ||
}} |
}} |
||
'''Iheanyi Uwaezuoke''' ({{ |
'''Iheanyi Uwaezuoke''' (pronounced {{Respell|ee|HAH|nyee}} {{Respell|oo|WAY|zoh-kay}})<ref>{{cite news |last=Klein |first=Patrick |url=http://wc.arizona.edu/papers/old-wildcats/fall94/November/November 4, 1994/10_1_m.html |title=Uwaezuoke is no average Joe |work=[[Arizona Daily Wildcat]] |date=November 4, 1994 |accessdate=2015-07-16 |quote=It took UA Sports Information Director Tom Duddleston to pronounce the name for Tomey. For the record, Iheanyi Uwaezuoke is pronounced Eee-HAH-nyee OO-WAY-zoh-kay . . . . }}</ref>{{needs IPA}} (born July 24, 1973) is a former [[American football]] [[wide receiver]] and [[punt returner]] for the [[San Francisco 49ers]], [[Miami Dolphins]], [[Detroit Lions]], and [[Carolina Panthers]] of the [[National Football League]]. He was drafted in the fifth round of the [[1996 NFL Draft]] by the [[San Francisco 49ers]]. He played college football at the [[University of California, Berkeley]]. |
||
==Early years== |
==Early years== |
||
Uwaezuoke was born in [[Lagos]], [[Nigeria]]. His father, a Nigerian [[Igbo people|Igbo]], came to America in 1978 to pursue his education, and the rest of his family followed in 1980. Uwaezuoke attended [[Harvard-Westlake School|Harvard High School]] in [[Studio City, Los Angeles, California|Studio City, California]].<ref name="purpose">{{cite news|first=Jeff|last=Riley|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1991-07-25/sports/sp-59_1_harvard-high |title=Uwaezuoke to Walk On With Purpose : Prep football: Nigerian receiver-defensive back from Harvard High vows to earn a scholarship at Cal.|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=July 25, 1991|accessdate=November 24, 2012}}</ref> He played wide receiver |
Uwaezuoke was born in [[Lagos]], [[Nigeria]]. His father, a Nigerian [[Igbo people|Igbo]], came to America in 1978 to pursue his education, and the rest of his family followed in 1980. Uwaezuoke attended [[Harvard-Westlake School|Harvard High School]] in [[Studio City, Los Angeles, California|Studio City, California]].<ref name="purpose">{{cite news|first=Jeff|last=Riley|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1991-07-25/sports/sp-59_1_harvard-high |title=Uwaezuoke to Walk On With Purpose : Prep football: Nigerian receiver-defensive back from Harvard High vows to earn a scholarship at Cal.|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=July 25, 1991|accessdate=November 24, 2012}}</ref> He played wide receiver and defensive back, and was selected to the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' All-Valley team and the All-Southern Section Division VII team. In addition to football, he also played basketball and competed in track and field, setting a school record of {{convert|45|ft|2|in|m}} in the [[triple jump]] as well as competing in the [[100 metres|100 meters]], [[4 × 100 metres relay|400 meter relay]], and [[shot put]].<ref name="purpose"/> He was recruited by [[UCLA Bruins football|UCLA]], [[Duke Blue Devils football|Duke]], [[Penn Quakers football|Penn]], and [[California Golden Bears football|California]], but ultimately received no athletic scholarship offers.<ref>{{cite news | first = Dana | last = Haddad | title = Cal's Uwaezuoke a Deep Thinker | date = October 6, 1994 | url = http://articles.latimes.com/1994-10-06/sports/sp-47227_1_iheanyi-uwaezuoke | work = [[Los Angeles Times]] | accessdate = 2013-05-20}}</ref> |
||
==College career== |
==College career== |
||
Uwaezuoke chose to attend the [[University of California]] as a [[Walk-on (sports)|walk-on]],<ref name="purpose"/> and earned a scholarship after his first semester.<ref>[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LA&p_theme=la&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EF616594AD5F7AA&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "Harvard Alumnus earns football grant from Cal"], ''[[Los Angeles Daily News]]'', May 28, 1992 (pay site).</ref> Uwaezuoke became known as a big-play wide receiver for the [[California Golden Bears|Golden Bears]]. He caught 27 passes in his sophomore year, including a touchdown in Cal's [[1993 Alamo Bowl]] win over [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]].<ref>Dana Haddad, [http://articles.latimes.com/1994-01-06/sports/sp-9170_1_iheanyi-uwaezuoke "Cal's Uwaezuoke Still Feels a Hunger"], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', January 6, 1994.</ref> Playing in 10 games in 1994, he had 56 catches for 716 yards and 5 touchdowns.<ref>Dana Haddad, [http://articles.latimes.com/1995-11-02/sports/sp-63955_1_career-list "Pro Career Next Route for Cal's Uwaezuoke?"], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', November 2, 1995.</ref> In 1995 |
Uwaezuoke chose to attend the [[University of California]] as a [[Walk-on (sports)|walk-on]],<ref name="purpose"/> and earned a scholarship after his first semester.<ref>[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LA&p_theme=la&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EF616594AD5F7AA&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "Harvard Alumnus earns football grant from Cal"], ''[[Los Angeles Daily News]]'', May 28, 1992 (pay site).</ref> Uwaezuoke became known as a big-play wide receiver for the [[California Golden Bears|Golden Bears]]. He caught 27 passes in his sophomore year, including a touchdown in Cal's [[1993 Alamo Bowl]] win over [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa]].<ref>Dana Haddad, [http://articles.latimes.com/1994-01-06/sports/sp-9170_1_iheanyi-uwaezuoke "Cal's Uwaezuoke Still Feels a Hunger"], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', January 6, 1994.</ref> Playing in 10 games in 1994, he had 56 catches for 716 yards and 5 touchdowns.<ref>Dana Haddad, [http://articles.latimes.com/1995-11-02/sports/sp-63955_1_career-list "Pro Career Next Route for Cal's Uwaezuoke?"], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', November 2, 1995.</ref> In 1995 he missed the front and back ends of his senior year due to thumb<ref>Samuel Chi, [http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Uwaezuoke-thumbs-nose-at-adversity-3129043.php "Uwaezuoke thumbs nose at adversity"], ''[[San Francisco Examiner]]'', September 29, 1995.</ref> and knee injuries.<ref>[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SJ&s_site=mercurynews&p_multi=SJ&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB71F0904A97A7E&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "Receiver Uwaezuoke Goes Out With Style, Sadness"], ''[[San Jose Mercury News]]'', November 5, 1995 (pay site).</ref> and had 30 receptions for 506 yards and three touchdowns in 6 complete games. He finished his career with 114 catches for 1,703 yards<ref>Samuel Chi, [http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Bears-lose-WR-Uwaezuoke-LB-Johnson-for-rest-of-3123642.php "Bears lose WR Uwaezuoke, LB Johnson for rest of season"], ''[[San Francisco Examiner]]'', November 5, 1995.</ref> and tied a school record (later surpassed) for total receptions in a game (13).<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/1998/nov/01/sports/sp-38384 "Bears Need Rally to Edge Beavers"], [[Associated Press]] in ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', November 1, 1998.</ref> |
||
'''Uwaezuoke Statistics at California''' |
|||
{| class="wikitable" |
|||
|- |
|||
! Yr !! Gms !! Rec !! Rec/Gm !! Yds !! TD !! Yds/Gm !! Yds/Rec !! Rush !! RushYds !! APY !! |
|||
|- |
|||
| '''RS''' || |
|||
|- |
|||
| '''Frosh''' || 4 || 1 || .25 || 7 || 0 || 1.75 || 7 || n/a || n/a || n/a || |
|||
|- |
|||
| '''Soph''' || 12 || 27 || 2.07 || 477 || 2 || 40 || 16.9 || 0 || 0 || 477 || |
|||
|- |
|||
| '''Jr'''* || 10 || 56 || 5.6 || 716 || 5 || 71.6 || 12.8 || n/a || n/a || 716 || |
|||
|- |
|||
| '''Sr'''* || 6 || 30 || 5 || 506 || 3 || 84.3 || 16.9 || 1 || 19 || 531 || |
|||
|} |
|||
'''Uwaezuoke Productivity at California''' |
|||
{| class="wikitable" |
|||
|- |
|||
! || Soph. Yds/Rec || Jr. Rec/Gm || Sr. Yds/Gm || Soph. Ctch% || Jr. RecTD || Sr. Yds/Rec || |
|||
|- |
|||
| '''Sch ATR''' || top 20 || top 20 || top 15 || 1 || top 20 || top 20 || |
|||
|- |
|||
| '''NatR''' || top 40 || 15 || top 50 || 1 || top 30 || top 30 || |
|||
|- |
|||
| '''ConfR''' || 5 || 4 || 5 || 1 || 9 || 5 || |
|||
|} |
|||
<big>Legend:</big> |
|||
|'''*''' missed games due to injury |
|||
|'''SCH ATR''' - school all time rank |
|||
|'''NatR''' - national rank |
|||
|'''ConfR''' - conference rank |
|||
|'''APY''' - all purpose yards |
|||
|'''Gms''' - games |
|||
|'''Ctch%''' - catch percentage |
|||
|'''Yrds/Rec'''- yards per reception |
|||
|'''RushYds''' - rushing yards |
|||
|'''Rec/TD''' - receiving touchdowns |
|||
|'''RS''' - redshirt |
|||
|'''Frosh''' - freshman |
|||
|'''Soph''' - sophmore |
|||
|'''Jr''' - junior |
|||
|'''Sr''' - senior |
|||
==Professional career== |
==Professional career== |
||
Uwaezuoke was selected by the [[San Francisco 49ers]] in the fifth round (160th overall) of the [[1996 NFL Draft]]. Although he had not played much on [[special teams]] in high school or college, he focused on special team play as a way to make an impact on the team.<ref>David Wharton, [http://articles.latimes.com/1997/sep/21/sports/sp-34789 "Something Special: Iheanyi Uwaezuoke of Harvard-Westlake High Has Seen Limited Action as a Receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, but He's Finding His Niche on the Club With His Strong Play on Special Teams."] ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', September 21, 1997.</ref> In 1997 he was the 49ers' regular [[punt returner]] until he muffed a catch in the next to last game and the coaches to replace him with [[Rod Woodson]]; Uwaezuoke was cut by the 49ers during the subsequent season and claimed by the Dolphins.<ref>Cesar Brioso, [http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1998-11-21/sports/9811201032_1_iheanyi-uwaezuoke-punt-terrell-buckley "An Opportunity To Return: Cut By 49ers, Uwaezuoke Aims For Role With Dolphins"], ''[[Sun-Sentinel]]'', November 21, 1998.</ref> In his career he played in 60 NFL games, with 2 starts at wide receiver and 32 contests where he appeared as a featured punt returner. Uwaezuoke currently ranks 27th on the NFL career list for average yards per punt return (11.2).<ref>[http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=UWAEZIHE01#award Iheanyi Uwaezuoke] at DatabaseFootball.com.</ref> |
|||
===1996 Pre Draft=== |
|||
Considered an NFL top 100 Prospect. |
|||
Was invited to but not medically cleared to participate in the [[Hula Bowl]] All Star Classic. |
|||
Attended the [[NFL Combine]], but only participated in interviews and medical examinations. |
|||
Projected as a first round draft pick prior to the 1995 NCAA [[Division 1-A]] football season. |
|||
Recorded 4.38 seconds [[forty yard dash]] at 49ers team visit. |
|||
Officially Selected in round five pick number 28 of the 1996 NFL Draft. |
|||
===1996 Preseason=== |
|||
Recorded the best "pro agility" or [[20-yard shuttle]] time on San Francisco 49ers' roster, which was one year removed from Superbowl Championship. |
|||
Regarded as one of the best athletes in the league as a result of pro agility and forty yard dash combination. |
|||
Entered preseason opener as the 49er offense's primary deep threat and third down receiver. |
|||
Suffered a second degree AC separation on first reception vs the Denver Broncos and missed six games. |
|||
===1996 Regular Season=== |
|||
Returned in week three of the regular season. |
|||
Utilized as 49er offense's primary downfield option and served as team's third receiver. |
|||
Led 49er receiving core in catch percentage: 70%. |
|||
Regarded as a top 40 first year player (out of roughly 1500 total) in the NFL. |
|||
===1997 Regular Season=== |
|||
Registered 500+ all purpose yards by week 9 of regular season. |
|||
Was a game time coaches' DNP (Did Not Play) in week 10 at Eagles on [[NFL Monday Night Football]]. |
|||
Underwent arthroscopic knee procedure to remove debris (in joint) and missed week 11 bout vs. Carolina. |
|||
Returned to starting punt return duties in week 12 vs. Chargers and posted 60 yards on 5 returns. Added one reception on offense. |
|||
Was removed from punt return duties after a early second quarter turnover vs Denver week 15. |
|||
Returned to starting line up as punt returner at Seattle for regular season finale. But used sparingly. |
|||
Not used as a punt returner for 49ers two game playoff bid. |
|||
Committed two turnovers in 54 attempts (68 touches) for the season. |
|||
Forced 2 fumbles and recovered another on special teams. Caught two passes in the NFC Championship game. |
|||
Appeared on NFL Leaderboard as a first year featured punt returner: NFL Top Ten in Yards per Punt Return. |
|||
Finished regular season as one of nine players on 49er squad to appear on NFL Single Season Leaderboard: [[Dana Stubblefield]], [[Chris Doleman]], [[Gary Anderson (placekicker)|Gary Anderson]], [[Steve Young]], [[Merton Hanks]], [[Garrison Hearst]], [[Chuck Levy]], [[Terry Kirby]]. List includes 3 NFL [[All-Pro]] players, one of which was the 1997 NFL [[Defensive Player of the Year]]. Not to mention, 2 players on the same list are currently inducted into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]. |
|||
Finished regular season in top 6 on 49ers in All Purpose Yards: 670, and top 5 for total yards per game: 53. (12.5 games as third receiver, 3 games as kick returner, 12 games as a starting punt returner). |
|||
===1998 Preseason=== |
|||
NFL Top Ten and led 49er Club in total receptions 13. |
|||
===1998 NFL Regular Season=== |
|||
Recorded personal all time best: 22.3 yards per reception through week 9. |
|||
Signed with Dolphins from waivers in week 10. |
|||
Was deactivated after two games but not placed on Injured Reserve: cyst in left index finger. |
|||
Dolphins improved to divisional round after a wild card playoff loss the previous season. |
|||
===1998 Off Season=== |
|||
Underwent successful cyst removal surgery. |
|||
Tendered restricted free agent contract by the Dolphins: 1 year $420,000. |
|||
Became unrestricted free agent in April 1999. |
|||
Visited Atlanta, Carolina, and Philadelphia and received three contract offers. |
|||
Signed a one year contract as free agent with Carolina but received no signing bonus. |
|||
===1999 Regular Season=== |
|||
Appeared in 10 games with the Detroit Lions. |
|||
Split time as a punt returner (as game assurance due to previous hand injuries). |
|||
Finished season in NFL Top Twenty for Yards per Punt Return. |
|||
Led Lions in Punt Return yards and Total Punts Returned. |
|||
Led NFL in Unassisted Special Teams Tackles: 10; plus 3 Assisted Tackles for a total of 13. |
|||
Lions earned a wild card playoff bid after a 5 and 11 season in 1998. |
|||
===2000 Regular Season=== |
|||
Returned to Carolina on October 4, 2000. One year contract: $413,000 and no signing bonus. Earned 2 starts at wide receiver. |
|||
Set Franchise Single Season Record for Yards per Punt Return. "Unofficial" NFL Single Season Leader for Yards per Punt Return: 17.3. Panthers improved from 1-3 through week 1 of October, to 6-6 for the remainder of the regular season, after an 8-8 finish in 1999. |
|||
'''Uwaezuoke NFL Statistics''' |
|||
{| class="wikitable" |
|||
|- |
|||
! Tm !! Gms !! APY !! Att !! PRetYds !! TTD !! Avg/PRet !! UTT !! STT !! FumL !! FumR !! Ctch% !! |
|||
|- |
|||
| '''SF*''' || 36 || 827 || 61 || 374 || 1 || 11.0 || ? || || 2 || 2 || 70 || |
|||
|- |
|||
| '''Mia*''' || 2 || 0 || n/a || n/a || n/a || n/a || n/a || n/a || 0 || 0 || 0 || |
|||
|- |
|||
| '''Det''' || 10 || 155 || 19 || 150 || 0 || 8.3 || 10 || 3 || 1 || 0 || ? || |
|||
|- |
|||
| '''Car''' || 11 || 219 || 14 || 173 || 1 || 17.3 || n/a || n/a || 0 || 0 || ? || |
|||
|} |
|||
'''Uwaezuoke Productivity in the NFL''' |
|||
{| class="wikitable" |
|||
|- |
|||
! || SF Yds/PRet || Car Yds/Ret || Det UTT || SF Ctch% || |
|||
|- |
|||
| '''TmR''' || 2 || 1 || 1 || 1 || |
|||
|- |
|||
| '''ConfR''' || 5 || 1 || 1 || top 10 || |
|||
|- |
|||
| '''LgR''' || 10 || 1** ||1 || top 20** || |
|||
|} |
|||
<big>Legend:</big> |
|||
|'''*''' - missed games due to injury which required in season or off season surgery |'''**'''- unofficial stat |
|||
|'''Att''' - attempt |
|||
|'''TmR''' - team rank |
|||
|'''ConfR''' - conference rank |
|||
|'''LgR''' - league rank |
|||
|'''SF''' - san francisco |
|||
|'''Det''' - detroit |
|||
|'''Car''' - carolina |
|||
|'''PRet''' - punt return |
|||
|'''STT''' - assisted special teams tackle |
|||
|'''UTT''' - unassisted special teams tackle |
|||
|'''ctch%''' - catch percentage |
|||
|'''Yds/Ret''' - yards per punt return |
|||
|'''TTD''' - total touchdowns |
|||
|'''FumL''' - fumbles lost |
|||
|'''FumR''' - fumbles recovered |
|||
===NFL Career Summary=== |
|||
Regarded as one of the elite players at wide receiver for the era. |
|||
Finished pro football career as the NFL's 27th All Time Leader for Career Yards per Punt Return. |
|||
Recorded NFL Leaderboard statistics at three uniquely different pro positions over span of 65 games (includes '98 preseason). |
|||
Is one of 13 wide receivers selected in 1996 Draft to earn an all time top 100 rating at a skill position. |
|||
Displayed, arguably the most meteoric rise to NFL immortality, by reaching the NFL Top 100 All Time Leaderboard in just 32 games as a Punt Returner. |
|||
A reputed game changer and top tier statistical performer, selected as part of the most talent laden and prolific wide receiver draft class in NFL history. |
|||
<ref>David Wharton, [http://articles.latimes.com/1997/sep/21/sports/sp-34789 "Something Special: Iheanyi Uwaezuoke of Harvard-Westlake High Has Seen Limited Action as a Receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, but He's Finding His Niche on the Club With His Strong Play on Special Teams."] ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', September 21, 1997.</ref><ref>Cesar Brioso, [http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1998-11-21/sports/9811201032_1_iheanyi-uwaezuoke-punt-terrell-buckley "An Opportunity To Return: Cut By 49ers, Uwaezuoke Aims For Role With Dolphins"], ''[[Sun-Sentinel]]'', November 21, 1998.</ref><ref>[http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=UWAEZIHE01#award Iheanyi Uwaezuoke] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319222234/http://databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=UWAEZIHE01 |date=2015-03-19 }} at DatabaseFootball.com.</ref><ref>"Pro Career Next Route for Cal's Uwaezuoke?"</ref><ref>"Uwaezuoke thumbs nose at adversity"</ref><ref>,"Bears lose WR Uwaezuoke, LB Johnson for rest of season", San Francisco Examiner,</ref><ref>[[Fox Sports Networks]]</ref>{{Better source|reason=per WP:CIRCULAR|date=May 2017}}<ref>http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/U/UwaeIh00.htm#all_receiving_and_rushing</ref><ref>http://www.phins.com/news98/News_9811100857.html#rel</ref><ref>http://ainsworthsports.com/football_player_rankings_by_position_wr_1990s.htm</ref><ref>http://www.profootballarchives.com/1999nfldet.html</ref><ref>http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-team-transactions?year=1999&month=1&type=20</ref><ref name="infoplease.com">http://www.infoplease.com/ipsa/A0301936.html</ref><ref>https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/81124399/</ref><ref>https://www.comc.com/Cards/Football/1996/SkyBox_Impact_Rookies/63/Iheanyi_Uwaezuoke_RC/800129</ref><ref>http://www.thesportster.com/football/top-15-best-wide-receiver-draft-classes-of-all-time/</ref><ref>http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/1063/iheanyi-uwaezuoke</ref><ref>http://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1997111612</ref><ref>http://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1997111001</ref><ref>http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1997/allpro.htm</ref><ref>http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/</ref> |
|||
==References== |
==References== |
||
{{Reflist|30em}} |
{{Reflist|30em}} |
||
{{49ers1996DraftPicks}} |
|||
==External links== |
|||
<br /> |
|||
* [https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B48zrRNZOceXdkxHWlg4a2NLS0U/view?usp=sharing one year prior to his on field heroics during the "miracle at memorial", uwaezuoke made the dean's list at the university of california]<ref>http://www.berkeley.edu/</ref><ref>http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2009/9/23/1049008/the-miracle-at-memorial</ref> |
|||
* [https://www.modelmanagement.com/model/ehani uwaezuoke, as photogenic alias: "ehani" is a pioneer of the 'theory of 19' on the dynamics of human aging] |
|||
* [https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B48zrRNZOceXcDV6MUtzZUx2UDg/view?usp=sharing as part of intensive written and oral concussion evaluations, uwaezuoke scored '''47/50''' on the state of Texas, USA equivalent of the NFL's Wonderlic exam] |
|||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Uwaezuoke, Iheanyi}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Uwaezuoke, Iheanyi}} |
||
[[Category:1973 births]] |
[[Category:1973 births]] |
||
[[Category:Living people]] |
[[Category:Living people]] |
||
[[Category: |
[[Category:Sportspeople from Lagos]] |
||
[[Category: |
[[Category:Igbo sportspeople]] |
||
[[Category: Igbo sportspeople]] |
|||
[[Category:Nigerians]] |
|||
[[Category:Nigerian sportspeople]] |
|||
[[Category:Nigerian players of American football]] |
[[Category:Nigerian players of American football]] |
||
[[Category:American football return specialists]] |
|||
[[Category:American football wide receivers]] |
|||
[[Category: |
[[Category:California Golden Bears football players]] |
||
[[Category:California Golden Bears football players]] |
|||
[[Category:San Francisco 49ers players]] |
[[Category:San Francisco 49ers players]] |
||
[[Category:Miami Dolphins players]] |
[[Category:Miami Dolphins players]] |
Revision as of 01:47, 4 September 2017
No. 89, 80 | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Position: | Wide receiver / Punt returner | ||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||
Born: | Lagos, Nigeria | July 24, 1973||||||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||
Weight: | 198 lb (90 kg) | ||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||
High school: | Los Angeles (CA) Harvard | ||||||||||||
College: | California | ||||||||||||
NFL draft: | 1996 / Round: 5 / Pick: 160 | ||||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
27th on NFL All-Time list for Career Yards per Punt Return[1] | |||||||||||||
Career NFL statistics as of 2000 | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
Player stats at PFR |
Iheanyi Uwaezuoke (pronounced ee-HAH-nyee oo-WAY-zoh-kay)[2][needs IPA] (born July 24, 1973) is a former American football wide receiver and punt returner for the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. He played college football at the University of California, Berkeley.
Early years
Uwaezuoke was born in Lagos, Nigeria. His father, a Nigerian Igbo, came to America in 1978 to pursue his education, and the rest of his family followed in 1980. Uwaezuoke attended Harvard High School in Studio City, California.[3] He played wide receiver and defensive back, and was selected to the Los Angeles Times All-Valley team and the All-Southern Section Division VII team. In addition to football, he also played basketball and competed in track and field, setting a school record of 45 feet 2 inches (13.77 m) in the triple jump as well as competing in the 100 meters, 400 meter relay, and shot put.[3] He was recruited by UCLA, Duke, Penn, and California, but ultimately received no athletic scholarship offers.[4]
College career
Uwaezuoke chose to attend the University of California as a walk-on,[3] and earned a scholarship after his first semester.[5] Uwaezuoke became known as a big-play wide receiver for the Golden Bears. He caught 27 passes in his sophomore year, including a touchdown in Cal's 1993 Alamo Bowl win over Iowa.[6] Playing in 10 games in 1994, he had 56 catches for 716 yards and 5 touchdowns.[7] In 1995 he missed the front and back ends of his senior year due to thumb[8] and knee injuries.[9] and had 30 receptions for 506 yards and three touchdowns in 6 complete games. He finished his career with 114 catches for 1,703 yards[10] and tied a school record (later surpassed) for total receptions in a game (13).[11]
Professional career
Uwaezuoke was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round (160th overall) of the 1996 NFL Draft. Although he had not played much on special teams in high school or college, he focused on special team play as a way to make an impact on the team.[12] In 1997 he was the 49ers' regular punt returner until he muffed a catch in the next to last game and the coaches to replace him with Rod Woodson; Uwaezuoke was cut by the 49ers during the subsequent season and claimed by the Dolphins.[13] In his career he played in 60 NFL games, with 2 starts at wide receiver and 32 contests where he appeared as a featured punt returner. Uwaezuoke currently ranks 27th on the NFL career list for average yards per punt return (11.2).[14]
References
- ^ http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=UWAEZIHE01
- ^ Klein, Patrick (November 4, 1994). 4, 1994/10_1_m.html "Uwaezuoke is no average Joe". Arizona Daily Wildcat. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
It took UA Sports Information Director Tom Duddleston to pronounce the name for Tomey. For the record, Iheanyi Uwaezuoke is pronounced Eee-HAH-nyee OO-WAY-zoh-kay . . . .
{{cite news}}
: Check|url=
value (help) - ^ a b c Riley, Jeff (July 25, 1991). "Uwaezuoke to Walk On With Purpose : Prep football: Nigerian receiver-defensive back from Harvard High vows to earn a scholarship at Cal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
- ^ Haddad, Dana (October 6, 1994). "Cal's Uwaezuoke a Deep Thinker". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
- ^ "Harvard Alumnus earns football grant from Cal", Los Angeles Daily News, May 28, 1992 (pay site).
- ^ Dana Haddad, "Cal's Uwaezuoke Still Feels a Hunger", Los Angeles Times, January 6, 1994.
- ^ Dana Haddad, "Pro Career Next Route for Cal's Uwaezuoke?", Los Angeles Times, November 2, 1995.
- ^ Samuel Chi, "Uwaezuoke thumbs nose at adversity", San Francisco Examiner, September 29, 1995.
- ^ "Receiver Uwaezuoke Goes Out With Style, Sadness", San Jose Mercury News, November 5, 1995 (pay site).
- ^ Samuel Chi, "Bears lose WR Uwaezuoke, LB Johnson for rest of season", San Francisco Examiner, November 5, 1995.
- ^ "Bears Need Rally to Edge Beavers", Associated Press in Los Angeles Times, November 1, 1998.
- ^ David Wharton, "Something Special: Iheanyi Uwaezuoke of Harvard-Westlake High Has Seen Limited Action as a Receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, but He's Finding His Niche on the Club With His Strong Play on Special Teams." Los Angeles Times, September 21, 1997.
- ^ Cesar Brioso, "An Opportunity To Return: Cut By 49ers, Uwaezuoke Aims For Role With Dolphins", Sun-Sentinel, November 21, 1998.
- ^ Iheanyi Uwaezuoke at DatabaseFootball.com.