Jeb Putzier
No. 88, 87, 80
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1979-01-20) January 20, 1979 (age 45)
Eagle, Idaho, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:256 lb (116 kg)
Career information
High school:Eagle (ID)
College:Boise State
NFL draft:2002 / Round: 6 / Pick: 191
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All-WAC (2001)
  • Second-team All-Big West (1999)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:96
Receiving yards:1,251
Receiving TDs:3
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Jebediah Lee Putzier (pronounced PUTT-zeer) (born January 20, 1979) is a former American football tight end. He was drafted in the 6th round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. Putzier also played for the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, and the UFL's Omaha Nighthawks.

Early years

Putzier attended Eagle High School in his hometown Eagle, Idaho. In addition to playing football, Putzier also garnered athletic letters in basketball, track and baseball.[1]

College career

Putzier initially walked on to the Boise State Broncos football team.[1] After playing wide receiver for the first three years of his career, Putzier switched to tight end.[2] He led all college tight ends with twelve touchdown receptions his senior season, and garnered all-Western Athletic Conference honors.[1] The season was highlighted by a three-touchdown effort against Tulsa.[3]

Professional career

Denver Broncos

Putzier was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round (191st overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft.[4] After only recording four receptions his first two years, he contributed to the Broncos in 2004 with 36 catches. His play earned him a 5-year $12.5 million offer sheet from the New York Jets which the Broncos matched.[5] Despite putting up 37 receptions in 2005 the Broncos released him in spring 2006 in what was considered to be a salary cap purge.[6]

Houston Texans

Putzier signed with the Houston Texans in 2006, coming back to former Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak.[7] After losing spots on the depth chart in 2007, the Texans released Putzier on February 20, 2008.[8]

Seattle Seahawks

On March 4, 2008, Putzier was signed by the Seattle Seahawks.[9] After appearing in seven games for the team, he was released on November 25.[10]

Denver Broncos (second stint)

Late in the 2008 season, Putzier signed with the Broncos.[11] He was resigned on March 16, 2009, but was cut late in 2009 training camp.[12][13]

Hartford Colonials

After not playing for any professional team in 2009, Putzier signed to play in the United Football League. He was released by the Hartford Colonials on June 16, 2010.[14]

Omaha Nighthwaks

Putzier played in the 2010 UFL season with the Omaha Nighthawks. On October 2, Putzier caught a game-winning touchdown from Jeff Garcia to defeat the Sacramento Mountain Lions.[15] Putzier tied for the league lead in receiving touchdowns in 2010, scoring three on the year.[16]

Personal life

Putzier also played basketball at Boise State and majored in English.[17]

Putzier is married, divorced and remarried.[18][19] Due to concussions and cortisone shots, he had to quit his job for a medical equipment company.[18] After a suicide attempt, Putzier was later diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome.[20]

References

  1. ^ a b c "It's a whole new ballgame for Putzier". Idaho Statesman. January 14, 2006. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  2. ^ Lee, Kevan (July 3, 2012). "The 5 greatest Boise State tight ends in the history of Boise State tight ends". One Bronco Nation Under God. SBNation. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  3. ^ "Boise St. 41, Tulsa 10". UPI. October 14, 2001. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  4. ^ "2002 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  5. ^ Lammey, Cecil; Wood, Jason (July 11, 2005). "Spotlight: TE Jeb Putzier, Denver Broncos". Football Guys. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  6. ^ "Broncos waive Pryce, Anderson, Putzier". New England Patriots. The Associated Press. March 1, 2006. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  7. ^ "Texans sign tight end Putzier". Houston Texans. March 20, 2006. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  8. ^ "Texans release four players". Houston Texans. February 20, 2008. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  9. ^ "Seahawks Sign TE Putzier". Seattle Seahawks. March 4, 2008. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  10. ^ "Seahawks add Kyle Williams, release Jeb Putzier". Seattle Times. November 26, 2008. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  11. ^ Siddiqi, DJ (October 15, 2011). "10 Underrated Denver Broncos Forgotten over the Past 10 Years". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  12. ^ "Broncos re-sign tight end Jeb Putzier". ESPN. March 16, 2009. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  13. ^ "Jeb Putzier's Parting Shot". BroncosTalk. September 1, 2009. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  14. ^ "Hartford Colonials juggle roster". CTPost. June 16, 2010. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  15. ^ "Sacramento Mountain Lions drop game against Omaha Nighthawks". State Hornet. October 2, 2010. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  16. ^ "2010 United Football League Leaders". Statscrew. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  17. ^ Stewart, Dave (February 16, 2000). "Bronco athlete is a true full-time student". Boise State Arbiter. Boise State SchoalrWorks. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  18. ^ a b "NFL Aftermath: Life a medical struggle for Jeb Putzier". KUSA. July 6, 2015. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  19. ^ Collins, Holly (August 1, 2018). "Jeb Putzier Tackled Wedding Dance". Adventures in Dance. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  20. ^ Jhabvala, Nicki (June 17, 2016). "Why former Bronco Jeb Putzier has turned to an array of therapies to ease his post-football pain". Denver Post. Retrieved September 9, 2020.

External links

Denver Broncos 2002 NFL draft selections
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