Jermaine Mays Explained

Jermaine Mays
Birth Date:13 July 1979
Birth Place:Miami, Florida, U.S.
Import:yes
Position1:Cornerback
Height Ft:5
Height In:11
Weight Lb:180
College:Minnesota
High School:Miami Jackson High School
Nfldraftedyear:2003
Nfldraftedround:Undrafted
Playing Years1:2003–2004
Playing Team1:Minnesota Vikings
Playing Years2:2005
Playing Team2:Indianapolis Colts
Playing Years3:2006
Playing Team3:Orlando Predators
Playing Years4:2006
Playing Team4:Nashville Kats
Playing Years5:2006–2007
Playing Team5:Toronto Argonauts
Playing Years6:2008
Playing Team6:Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Playing Years7:2008
Playing Team7:Toronto Argonauts
Career Footnotes:*Practice roster or pre-season only
Afl:225967
Cfl:875

Jermaine Mays (born July 13, 1979) is a former professional American and Canadian football cornerback. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings in 2003. He played college football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Mays was also a member of the Indianapolis Colts, Orlando Predators, Nashville Kats, Toronto Argonauts, and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Early life

Mays was born in Miami, Florida, on July 13, 1979, and he grew up there.[1] He attended Miami Jackson High School where he was an All-State selection in his senior year despite breaking his collarbone.

College career

Mays attended the University of Minnesota and played football at the wide receiver position for the Golden Gophers in 2001 and 2002. He majored in Youth Studies & Leadership while at Minnesota.

After getting redshirted in 2000, Mays saw limited action in 2001. He recorded 21 receptions and 381 yards. He also scored an 81-yard touchdown which proved to be a game winner against Iowa.

In 2002, Mays won the team MVP award after playing on special teams and setting a school record with five blocked punts in one season.

Professional career

Minnesota Vikings

Mays was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings on September 10, 2003, as a wide receiver. On August 5, 2003, Mays switched to cornerback.[2]

Mays was assigned by the Vikings to the Berlin Thunder in 2004. He helped lead the Thunder to a World Bowl. The Vikings released him on September 6, 2004.

Indianapolis Colts

Mays was signed by the Indianapolis Colts on February 11, 2005[3] and was assigned to the Berlin Thunder. He recorded 22 tackles, and scored a touchdown for 100 yards which is the league record.[4] He was released by the Colts on September 4, 2005.[5] [6]

Orlando Predators

The Orlando Predators signed Mays on October 12, 2005, but did not play in any games for the Predators that season.

In 2006, he started the first four games for the Predators[7] before he pulled his hamstring and was traded.

Nashville Kats

Mays was traded to the Nashville Kats for future Toronto Argonauts teammate defensive back Khalil Carter on March 15, 2006.[8] He recorded 74 tackles, two interceptions one of which he returned for a touchdown during his rookie year.

Toronto Argonauts (first stint)

Mays was signed by the Toronto Argonauts on May 12, 2006. He played in eight games for the Argonauts, seven of which he started. Made his CFL debut against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and recorded his first interception in the CFL in the same game, picking off Jason Maas.

In 2007, he dressed for four games with the Argonauts, but was released on August 18, 2007.[9]

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

On March 7, 2008,[10] [11] Mays was signed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.[12] However, after not playing a game for the Tiger-Cats, he was released on July 29, 2008.

Toronto Argonauts (second stint)

The Argonauts re-signed Mays on October 15, 2008. He was released on May 29, 2009.[13]

Notes and References

  1. News: Toronto Argonauts bio. 2009-04-21. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090122121742/http://argonauts.ca/index.php/roster/show/id/875. 2009-01-22.
  2. News: Mays switches to cornerback. https://web.archive.org/web/20121025094128/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-106307023.html. dead. October 25, 2012. Craig. Mark. August 5, 2003. Star Tribune. 2009-04-21.
  3. News: Indianapolis Colts bio. 2009-04-22.
  4. News: Admirals Take the Title. June 11, 2005. NFL News. 2009-04-22. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090307152210/http://www.nfl.com/europa/history/8554755. March 7, 2009.
  5. News: Colts Release 17 Among Cut-Day Moves. September 3, 2005. KTVU.com. 2009-04-22. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110607000739/http://www.ktvu.com/nfl/4934192/detail.html. June 7, 2011.
  6. News: Colts Players Missing From Practice, Likely Cuts. August 29, 2005. ColtPower.com. 2009-04-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20110716021719/http://ind.scout.com/2/431081.html. 2011-07-16. dead.
  7. News: Defense Bails Out Preds. Lucas. Jason. February 4, 2006. ArenaFan. 2009-04-21.
  8. News: Familiar Faces Unite in New Places. Markowitz. Adam. July 30, 2006. ArenaFan. 2009-04-22.
  9. News: Argonauts sign Edwards to practice squad; Release Two. August 19, 2007. The Toronto Star. 2009-04-22.
  10. News: Hamilton Tiger-Cats bio. 2009-04-22. dead. https://archive.today/20130115164734/http://www.ticats.ca/roster/show/id/875. 2013-01-15.
  11. News: Tiger-Cats sign three DBs. March 7, 2008. CFL.ca. 2009-04-22.
  12. News: Tiger-Cats Add Three Defensive Backs. March 7, 2008. TSN.ca. 2009-04-22.
  13. News: Argonauts release Mays, add three imports. May 29, 2009. TSN.ca. 2009-05-29.