Anthony Dwayne Phillips (born October 5, 1970) is a former American football defensive back in the National Football League who played 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 for the Grand Rapids Rampage and Buffalo Destroyers, winning the Arena Bowl with Grand Rapids in his first season there.[2]
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Position: | Defensive back | ||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||
Born: | (1970-10-05) October 5, 1970 (age 51) Galveston, Texas | ||||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||
Weight: | 209 lb (95 kg) | ||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||
High school: | Ball High School (TX) | ||||||||||
College: | Texas A&M–Kingsville | ||||||||||
NFL Draft: | 1994 / Round: 3 / Pick: 72 | ||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||
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Roster status: | Retired | ||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||||||||
After attending Texas A&M–Kingsville, Phillips was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 1994. 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.[3] 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]
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]
Atlanta Falcons 1994 NFL draft selections | |
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Grand Rapids Rampage ArenaBowl XV champions | |
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