Jake Delhomme Passing Yards Record

Lore & Background

Delhomme was born to Jerry and Marcia Delhomme, both Cajuns. Delhomme's grandfather bred horses, and his father was a jockey who began racing at eight years old. Delhomme has called horses his 'first love', and he, his father, and his brother own and train thoroughbreds. Delhomme played both quarterback and defensive back for Teurlings Catholic; he made the all-state team in high school not as quarterback, but on defense. In addition, Delhomme was a scholar serving as Senior Beta Club president of his chapter in Louisiana.

In Their Own Story

The air in the Superdome was thick with humidity and tension as the clock wound down in New Orleans. Jake Delhomme stood under center, the weight of the franchise resting on his shoulders. With a deep breath, he scanned the field, his eyes locking onto a sliver of daylight in the secondary. The snap came, quick and sharp; he stepped up into the pocket, absorbing the rush with his legs before launching a spiral that cut through the noise. It wasn't just a pass; it was the sound of an expansion team finally finding its voice.

Reader's Guide

Delhomme played college football for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, then named the University of Southwestern Louisiana, his mother's alma mater. The only true freshman quarterback to start for a Division I school in 1993, his passer efficiency rating ranked second among NCAA freshmen quarterbacks. Playing on a team with future NFL wide receiver Brandon Stokley and offensive lineman Anthony Clement, the Ragin' Cajuns won the Big West Conference twice, and finished with three winning seasons. During his senior year, he led the Ragin' Cajuns to an improbable win over highly favored Texas A&M 29–22. Delhomme finished his career as the school's all-time passing leader in yards and touchdowns. He started the last 43 games of his career, which was the longest among active quarterbacks at the time. Upon graduating, he was ranked 22nd in NCAA history for passing yards and 28th in total offense. He was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.

Did You Know?

• Delhomme went undrafted in the 1997 NFL draft and was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent.
• He played in NFL Europe for the Amsterdam Admirals and Frankfurt Galaxy, winning World Bowl '99 with the Galaxy.
• In his first NFL start against the Dallas Cowboys, he threw two touchdowns en route to a Saints victory.
• Delhomme led the Panthers to Super Bowl XXXVIII in his first season with Carolina, setting a record for longest offensive play from scrimmage in Super Bowl history (an 85-yard pass to Muhsin Muhammad).
• In the 2003 season, Delhomme led the Panthers on eight game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime, the most by any QB in a single season.