| Orson Charles | |
| Number: | 80, 82, 84 |
| Position: | Tight end Fullback |
| Birth Date: | January 27, 1991 |
| Birth Place: | Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 3 |
| Weight Lbs: | 257 |
| High School: | Henry B. Plant (Tampa) |
| College: | Georgia |
| Draftyear: | 2012 |
| Draftround: | 4 |
| Draftpick: | 116 |
| Pastteams: | |
| Highlights: |
|
| Statlabel1: | Receptions |
| Statvalue1: | 14 |
| Statlabel2: | Receiving yards |
| Statvalue2: | 185 |
| Statlabel3: | Receiving average |
| Statvalue3: | 13.2 |
| Statlabel4: | Receiving touchdowns |
| Pfr: | CharOr00 |
Orson Charles (born January 27, 1991) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end and fullback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, earning first-team All-American honors as a tight end in 2011.
Charles attended Riverview High School before transferring to Henry B. Plant High School in Tampa, Florida for his senior year, where he was a teammate of Aaron Murray. During a recruiting visit to the University of Florida in 2008, Charles accidentally dropped the school's 2006 National Championship Trophy, breaking the Waterford Crystal football.[1] He played in the 2009 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Charles was named a finalist for the 2011 John Mackey Award on November 21, 2011.[2]
Charles was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round, 116th overall, of the 2012 NFL draft.[3] In his rookie season, he played all 16 games, starting 6 of them, accumulating 8 receptions for 101 yards. In 2013 Charles played primarily at fullback; He played 13 games but started none and recorded one catch for eight yards.[4]
Charles was signed to the practice squad of the Tennessee Titans on September 1, 2014. He was released on September 9, 2014.[5]
On September 23, 2014, Charles was signed to the New Orleans Saints practice squad.
On June 16, 2016, Charles was signed by the Detroit Lions.[6] He was released on October 4, 2016.[7]
On May 31, 2017, Charles signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.[8] He was waived on September 2, 2017 and was signed to the Chiefs' practice squad the next day.[9] [10] He was released on October 7, 2017.[11] He was re-signed to the practice squad on October 25, 2017. He was promoted to the active roster on November 28, 2017.[12] He was waived by the Chiefs on May 3, 2018.[13]
On July 30, 2018, Charles signed with the Cleveland Browns.[14] He made the Browns final roster as the team's fourth tight end. Despite being listed as a tight end, Charles had lined up primarily as a fullback throughout the 2018 season. He appeared on the 2018 Pro Bowl ballot as a fullback, and Browns coaches have signaled they view him as such.[15] The Browns placed Charles on injured reserve with an ankle injury on December 13, 2018.[16]
On April 3, 2019, Charles re-signed with the Browns.[17] The Browns waived Charles on August 11, 2019.
On August 21, 2019, Charles signed with the Denver Broncos.[18] He was released on August 31, 2019.[19] He was re-signed on November 19, 2019, but was released three days later.[20]
Charles was drafted in the 6th round of the 2020 XFL Draft by the DC Defenders,[21] but did not sign with the team.
Shortly before the 2012 NFL Draft, Charles was arrested for a DUI.
On March 31, 2014, Charles was arrested for wanton endangerment in Richmond, Kentucky. Charles was pulled over by a police officer after another driver called in a complaint that Charles had shown a gun multiple times.[22] In February 2015 Charles pleaded guilty to wanton endangerment and will enter a diversion program.[23]
On July 16, 2022, Charles was arrested for pulling a gun on off-duty police officers in Tampa, Florida.[24]