Cris Carter

Lore & Background

Carter was born Graduel Christopher Darwin Carter on November 25, 1965, in Troy, Ohio. He dropped his birth name in seventh grade and unofficially changed it to Cris after wide receiver Cris Collinsworth. He played college football at Ohio State University, where he became a consensus All-American. After his junior season, he was ruled ineligible due to secretly signing with agent Norby Walters. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 1987 NFL supplemental draft. After being released by the Eagles in 1989 due to off-the-field issues, he was claimed by the Minnesota Vikings for $100. He turned his life around, becoming a two-time first-team and one-time second-team All-Pro and playing in eight consecutive Pro Bowls. He briefly played for the Miami Dolphins in 2002 before retiring.

In Their Own Story

The humid air of Charlotte Stadium hung heavy as the lights flickered on for the first time. Carter adjusted his purple helmet, eyes scanning the secondary that had never seen a pro snap before. He didn't need to shout; his reputation did the work. As the ball left the quarterback's hand, it was already in his hands, a reminder to the new Panthers that excellence required no introduction.

Reader's Guide

Carter is known for his great hands, precise route running, and acrobatic catches. He held most of the Vikings' career receiving records when he left after 2001. Since retiring, he has worked on HBO's Inside the NFL, ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown, and Yahoo Sports. He also works as an assistant coach at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. In 2017, he began co-hosting First Things First on FS1, but was terminated in 2019 after a suspension and investigation. He resides in Boca Raton, Florida, and is the brother of former NBA player and coach Butch Carter.

Did You Know?

• Carter set the NFL single-season record for receptions with 122 in 1994.
• He was named after his grandfather, Graduel.
• His first professional catch was a 22-yard touchdown against the St. Louis Cardinals.
• He was a consensus All-American at Ohio State and holds the school record for receptions (168).