Pat Downey (American football) explained

Birth Date:June 21, 1974
Birth Place:Salem, Massachusetts
Position1:Center
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lb:320
College:New Hampshire
Playing Years1:1998
Playing Team1:San Diego Chargers
Playing Years2:1999–2001
Playing Team2:Nashville Kats (AFL)
Playing Years3:2002
Playing Team3:Frankfurt Galaxy (NFL Europe)
Playing Years4:2002
Playing Team4:New England Patriots
Playing Years5:2002
Playing Team5:Atlanta Falcons
Playing Years6:2002-2003
Playing Team6:Washington Redskins
Playing Years7:2004
Playing Team7:Colorado Crush (AFL)
Nfl:pat-downey

Pat Downey (born June 21, 1974) is a former American football center. He played in NFL Europe in 2002 for the Frankfurt Galaxy, where he started at both center and guard, and in the Arena Football League for the Nashville Kats from 1999 to 2001 and the Colorado Crush in 2004. He played college football for the New Hampshire Wildcats.

Early life, education, and amateur career

Downey was born in Salem, Massachusetts, and was a two-sport all-star in football and track & field at Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody. He was a two-time all-star in football and was named captain of the Harry Agganis All-Star Classic. He also holds the school record in the shot put (53'6") for track & field. Downey did a postgraduate year at Worcester Academy, where he was named MVP of the 1992 Hilltoppers football team as a center. Downey received a full athletic scholarship to play college football at the University of New Hampshire, a national powerhouse Division I-AA program. At UNH, Downey was named team captain in 1997 and was a two-time All-Star. He was named First-team All-Atlantic 10, First-team All-East and First-team All-New England for the Wildcats.

Professional career

Downey was signed by the San Diego Chargers in 1998 as an undrafted free agent, but was cut prior to training camp for salary cap reasons.[1]

Downey played for the Nashville Kats of the Arena Football League from 1999 to 2001, including Arena Bowl appearances in 2000 and 2001.[2]

In 2002, Downey played for the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe before being injured midseason. He then spent training camp with the New England Patriots.[3]

Downey was on the 53-man roster of the Washington Redskins in 2002.[4] He also attended training camp with Washington in 2003.[2]

Downey signed with the Colorado Crush of the Arena Football League in October 2003,[2] and played for the team the following season, his last as a professional player.[5]

Post-playing career

Downey was named offensive/defensive line coach of the Arena Football League's Philadelphia Soul in 2005,[4] and coached for the team in 2006 and 2007.[5] He then became an associate head coach of the Columbus Destroyers before the league folded in 2008.[6]

Along with working for the athletic training firm The Program, Downey started a business called Gridiron Training in June 2009.[6]

Personal life

Downey has three children with his wife Andrea. As of 2009, they lived in Swampscott, Massachusetts.[6] [4]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Gordon . Mike . Downey cut by Chargers . 15 June 2022 . . 21 July 1998 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220615185910/https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/sports/1998/07/21/downey-cut-by-chargers/51316851007/ . 15 June 2022 . live . en.
  2. News: Pat Downey Signs with Crush . 15 June 2022 . OurSports Central . 27 October 2003 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220615190736/https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/pat-downey-signs-with-crush/n-2705576 . 15 June 2022 . live . en.
  3. News: Roster Preview: Offensive Line . 15 June 2022 . www.patriots.com . 9 July 2002 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220615192733/https://www.patriots.com/news/roster-preview-offensive-line-122526 . 15 June 2022 . live . en.
  4. News: Soul fill out coaching staff with ex AFL vets . 15 June 2022 . OurSports Central . 13 September 2005 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220615193222/https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/soul-fill-out-coaching-staff-with-ex-afl-vets/n-3223258 . 15 June 2022 . live . en.
  5. News: Columbus Destroyers Announce Assistant Coaches . 15 June 2022 . OurSports Central . 14 October 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210502052542/https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/columbus-destroyers-announce-assistant-coaches/n-3728279 . 2 May 2021 . en.
  6. News: Boyd . Joshua . Former pro football player, Swampscott resident Downey pushes athletes to limits every 'Judgment Day' . 15 June 2022 . . 8 October 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220615185113/https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/swampscott-reporter/2009/10/08/former-pro-football-player-swampscott/38673438007/ . 15 June 2022 . live . en.