Jeff Rutledge

Last updated

Jeff Rutledge
No. 8, 17, 10
Position: Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1957-01-22) January 22, 1957 (age 67)
Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
College: Alabama
NFL draft: 1979  / Round: 9 / Pick: 246
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Pass attempts:526
Pass completions:274
Percentage:52.1
TD–INT:16–29
Passing yards:3,628
Passer rating:61.4
Player stats at PFR

Jeffrey Ronald Rutledge (born January 22, 1957) is an American former football player and coach. He played professionally as a quarterback for 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). A backup for most of his career, he was a member of the New York Giants team that won a Super Bowl in Super Bowl XXI and the Washington Redskins team that won Super Bowl XXVI.

Contents

Rutledge played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, starting at quarterback for their 1978 national championship victory. He was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the ninth round of the 1979 NFL draft. He became a coach after his playing career.

Early years

Rutledge was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. He was part of a team that earned back-to-back state titles at L. Frazier Banks High School in Birmingham, Alabama. As a senior, he was a member of the 1974 Parade High School All-American team. [1]

College career

Rutledge played collegiately at Alabama, [2] [3] where he was a member of three SEC Championship teams under Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. He was the starting quarterback on the 1978 National Championship team. A three-year starter, he also led Alabama to the #2 National ranking in 1977. He also led the Crimson Tide to two Sugar Bowl appearances and two SEC Championships. Rutledge earned MVP honors at the 1978 Sugar Bowl and also earned All-SEC honors in 1978 and 1979. [4]

He finished his college career with a 33-5 record as a starter, which currently ranks him as the University of Alabama's seventh all-time winningest quarterback. He received his degree from Alabama in Business Administration and in 2011, was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

His brother Gary Rutledge was also a quarterback at Alabama from 1972 to 1974.

Playing career

Drafted in the ninth round of the 1979 NFL draft (246th overall pick) by the Los Angeles Rams, [2] Rutledge played in 14 NFL seasons [3] [5] from 1979 to 1992 for three different teams. [2] Rutledge spent most of his career as a back-up quarterback and a holder on kicks. He was a backup in Super Bowl XIV as a member of the Los Angeles Rams, he was a backup to Super Bowl MVP Phil Simms in Super Bowl XXI as a member of the New York Giants, and was a backup in Super Bowl XXVI as a member of the Washington Redskins. His most notable play with the Giants came in Super Bowl XXI in the third quarter. On fourth down with a yard needed, he was sent by head coach Bill Parcells for a potential decoy play. When the other team did not pick up on Rutledge, he took the snap and did a sneak up the middle for yardage that gave the Giants a first down that would eventually lead to a go-ahead score.

His finest moment as a professional player came when as a member of the Redskins he came off the bench in a game versus the Detroit Lions in 1990. Trailing 35-14 with 10:37 left in the third quarter Rutledge replaced an ineffective Stan Humphries and led a great comeback. He completed 30 of 42 passes for 363 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 12 yards for the game-tying touchdown with only 24 seconds remaining. In overtime, he hit Art Monk with a vital 40-yard pass on third and 15 to help set up Chip Lohmiller's game-winning field goal.

That game meant that Rutledge got the nod to start the following week on Monday Night against the Philadelphia Eagles in a game that was to become infamously known as the "Body Bag Game". Rutledge, first, and then Stan Humphries were knocked out of the game, leaving emergency quarterback Brian Mitchell (a kick returner and former college quarterback) to finish the game. Rutledge would never start an NFL game again but he did see spot duty in relief of returning starter Mark Rypien in the Redskins' 1991 Super Bowl Championship season, including some playing time in the last game of the regular season, again against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Coaching career

In the spring of 2007 Rutledge got his first NFL coaching job when he was hired as quarterbacks coach with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, [5] with direct charge over Kurt Warner. That year, the Cardinals made a late season run and earned a Super Bowl berth, but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-23. When the Cardinals hired a new offensive coordinator at the end of that season, Rutledge and most of the offensive staff were fired. [3] [6]

Rutledge served as the quarterbacks and tight ends coach for the New York Sentinels of the United Football League in 2009. [3]

In April 2010, Rutledge agreed to become the head football coach at Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville, Tennessee; where he coached for two seasons, leading the Knights to a 4-18 record. He resigned in the Spring of 2012 to return to Arizona to spend time with his family. [3] [5] [6] Rutledge led Montgomery Bell Academy to a 41-17 record from 2002 to 2006, with two state titles in 2002 and 2003 and a #15 ranking in the final USA Today Super 25 poll in 2003.

In May 2013, Rutledge was hired by Valley Christian High School in Chandler, Arizona as a full-time staff member and also to lead the football program. He coached for five seasons until stepping down in 2017, going 23-28 as coach. [4] [7]

Personal life

Rutledge is a Christian and attends Arizona Community Church in Chandler. He and his wife Laura and have 3 children. [8]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Elway</span> American football player and executive (born 1960)

John Albert Elway Jr. is an American former professional football quarterback who spent his entire 16-year career with the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Following his playing career, he then spent 11 years with the Broncos in various front office positions, eventually being promoted to general manager. Elway, along with former backup quarterback and head coach Gary Kubiak, are the only individuals to be associated with all three of the Broncos' Super Bowl wins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurt Warner</span> American football player (born 1971)

Kurtis Eugene Warner is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons, primarily with the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals. His career, which saw him ascend from an undrafted free agent to a two-time Most Valuable Player and Super Bowl MVP, is widely regarded as one of the greatest Cinderella stories in NFL history.

Kent Douglas Graham is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish before transferring to the Ohio State Buckeyes. After college, Graham had a lengthy career in the NFL with the New York Giants in two separate stints, as well as starting for the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He finished his career in 2002 with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Williams (quarterback)</span> American football player, coach, and executive (born 1955)

Douglas Lee Williams is an American football executive and former quarterback and coach. Williams is best known for his performance with the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXII against the Denver Broncos, making him the first black quarterback to both start and win a Super Bowl. He was named Super Bowl MVP after breaking two Super Bowl passing records: 340 yards total, and being the first to throw four touchdowns in a single quarter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Hostetler</span> American football player (born 1961)

William Jeffrey Hostetler is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants, Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, and Washington Redskins. He won Super Bowl XXV with the Giants after taking over midseason for an injured Phil Simms. His nickname is "Hoss."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Byron Leftwich</span> American football coach and former player (born 1980)

Byron Antron Leftwich is an American former football coach and quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons. He played college football for the Marshall Thundering Herd, twice receiving MAC Most Valuable Player honors, and was selected seventh overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2003 NFL Draft. Leftwich held a starting role with the Jaguars during his first four seasons and spent the remainder of his career as a backup for the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the Steelers, he was a member of the team that won Super Bowl XLIII.

Timothy F. Rattay is an American football coach and former player who is the quarterbacks coach for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Prior to becoming a coach, Rattay played as a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) and United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2000 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trent Dilfer</span> American football player, analyst and coach (born 1972)

Trent Farris Dilfer is an American football coach and former quarterback who is the head football coach for the UAB Blazers. Dilfer previously played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He achieved his greatest professional success as the starting quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens during their Super Bowl-winning season in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Cavanaugh</span> American football player and coach (born 1956)

Matthew Andrew Cavanaugh is an American former professional football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL). He played as a quarterback, winning two Super Bowl titles. He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers.

The 1989 NFL season was the 70th regular season of the National Football League. Before the season, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle announced his retirement. Paul Tagliabue was eventually chosen to succeed him, taking over on November 5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russ Grimm</span> American football player and coach (born 1959)

Russell Scott Grimm is an American former professional football player who was a guard for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He has also served as an assistant coach for the Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, and Tennessee Titans. As a professional, Grimm had multiple selections to both the All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Grimm played 11 seasons for the Redskins and was a first-team selection to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Whisenhunt</span> American football player and coach (born 1962)

Kenneth Moore Whisenhunt is an American football coach and former tight end who is currently a special assistant to the head coach for Alabama. He played college football at Georgia Tech and was drafted in the twelfth round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, with whom he played for four years. He subsequently played two more years with the Washington Redskins and another two with the New York Jets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cam Cameron</span> American football player and coach (born 1961)

Malcolm "Cam" Cameron is an American football coach. He is the former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach of the LSU Tigers football program. Cameron attended Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana and played quarterback for the school. Cameron began his coaching career in the NCAA with the Michigan Wolverines. After that he switched to the National Football League (NFL), where he was offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens and the San Diego Chargers and head coach for the Miami Dolphins, coaching them to a 1–15 record in his only season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jay Schroeder</span> American football player (born 1961)

Jay Brian Schroeder is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, after which he was selected in the third round of the 1984 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins, where he played for four seasons. He then played for the Los Angeles Raiders for five seasons and spent one season each with the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Clark (American football)</span> American football former player (born 1979)

Ryan Terry Clark is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers, and was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2002. Clark also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and for the Washington Redskins. He won a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII, and made a Pro Bowl in 2011.

Todd Robert Bowles is an American football coach and former player who is the head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the head coach of the New York Jets from 2015 to 2018. Bowles has also served as the defensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals and Buccaneers and as the secondary coach for the Jets, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, and Philadelphia Eagles. He played eight seasons in the NFL as a safety, primarily with the Washington Redskins, and was a member of the team that won Super Bowl XXII.

Robert Cole Williams is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs. He played college football at Baylor University.

The 2000 Washington Redskins season was the franchise's 69th season in the National Football League (NFL) and their 64th in Washington, D.C. The team was looking to improve on its 10–6 mark from 1999, which saw the Redskins win the NFC East for the first time since 1991 and win a playoff game for the first time since 1992. Norv Turner returned to lead the team for a seventh season. However, he got fired after a 7-6 start.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Body Bag Game</span> American football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins

The Body Bag Game was a Monday Night Football game that was played on November 12, 1990, between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins at Veterans Stadium. The Eagles defeated the Redskins, 28–14. Its nickname comes from a pre-game boast from Eagles head coach Buddy Ryan, who told reporters his team would inflict a beating on Washington so bad "they'll have to be carted off in body bags". Then during the game, nine Washington Redskins players left with injuries, and an Eagles player reacted to one of those injured Redskins by yelling, "Do you guys need any more body bags?"

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean McVay</span> American football coach (born 1986)

Sean McVay is an American football coach who is the head coach for the Los Angeles Rams. He became the youngest NFL head coach in the modern era when he was hired by the Rams in 2017 at the age of 30. McVay is also the youngest head coach to win a Super Bowl and be named NFL Coach of the Year. Prior to becoming Rams head coach, he served as a tight ends coach and offensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins.

References

  1. ↑ "High School Football Database - All-American (Parade 1974)". Archived from the original on April 26, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 "Jeff Rutledge player profile". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Cirillo, Chip (April 26, 2010). "Pope John Paul II hires Jeff Rutledge". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 3, 2010.[ dead link ]
  4. 1 2 "Jeff Rutledge Named as Football Head Coach - Valley Christian High School". Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 "Pope John Paull II hires Rutledge". WKRN. April 26, 2010. Archived from the original on April 29, 2010. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  6. 1 2 "NFL vet Rutledge returning as high school coach". Victoria Advocate. Associated Press. April 27, 2010. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Ex-Cardinals QBS coach Jeff Rutledge steps down as Valley Christian football coach".
  8. ↑ "Jeff Rutledge Bio". Valley Christian High School. Archived from the original on July 2, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.