Anthony Phillips (defensive back)
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| Position: | Defensive back | ||||||||||
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| Born: | October 5, 1970 Galveston, Texas, U.S. | ||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 209 lb (95 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Ball (Galveston) | ||||||||||
| College: | Texas A&M–Kingsville | ||||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1994 / round: 3 / pick: 72 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
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Anthony Dwayne Phillips (born October 5, 1970) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings. He played college football for the Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas.[1] He also played in the Arena Football League (AFL) for the Grand Rapids Rampage and Buffalo Destroyers, winning the Arena Bowl with Grand Rapids in his first season there.[2]
Professional career
[edit]After attending Texas A&M–Kingsville, Phillips was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in 1994.[3] He became a rising star with the Falcons, but in his second season, he suffered a gruesome leg injury. During a game against the Buffalo Bills, Phillips intercepted a pass thrown by Buffalo quarterback Jim Kelly, catching the ball at the Atlanta 2-yard line, and was on his way to returning the ball for a defensive touchdown. However, after 43 yards, Kelly himself caught up to Phillips and tackled him while he was running (in bounds) down the side line, with the latter suffering a compound fracture to both his tibia and fibula on his right leg upon landing awkwardly on it.[4] Phillips was required to stay on his back for a month in order for the bones to heal, and Kelly has since apologized for the injury.[1]
Phillips was cut after one additional season with the Falcons. He later signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 1998, but his season ended with a torn ACL. After the season, he played two seasons in the Arena Football League, helping the Grand Rapids Rampage win ArenaBowl XV, before retiring.[1]
Personal life
[edit]Raised in Galveston, Texas, Phillips has two children and later settled in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was diagnosed with kidney failure, stemming from legal steroid usage during his football career.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Gazette, Jef Rietsma Special to the Kalamazoo (December 25, 2011). "Former NFL player, Kalamazoo resident finds satisfaction in a life of ups and downs". MLive.com.
- ^ "Anthony Phillips Statistics on JustSportsStats.com". www.justsportsstats.com. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- ^ "1994 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
- ^ Van Wie, Dan. "NFL: 20 Most Gruesome Injuries in NFL History". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 25, 2020.