Cris Carter

Lore & Background

Carter played college football for Ohio State and was selected by the Eagles in the fourth round of the 1987 NFL supplemental draft. He was let go by coach Buddy Ryan in 1989 due to off-the-field issues. Carter was signed by the Vikings and 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 held most of the Vikings' career receiving records when he left after 2001. After retiring, he 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 after a suspension and investigation in 2019. He resides in Boca Raton, Florida, and is the brother of former NBA player and coach Butch Carter. After six years and five finalist selections, he was voted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on February 2, 2013.

Reader's Guide

Carter was born in Troy, Ohio, attended Heywood Elementary, then moved to Middletown, Ohio, with his mother, three brothers, and two sisters. He attended Middletown High School and starred in football and basketball. He dropped his birth name Graduel and unofficially changed his name to Cris after Cris Collinsworth. He accepted a football scholarship to Ohio State, became a consensus All-American after his junior season, and set a Rose Bowl record with nine receptions for 172 yards. In his junior season, he caught 69 passes for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns. He left Ohio State holding school records for receptions (168), yards (2,725), and touchdowns (27). In the 1987 supplemental draft, the Eagles selected him in the fourth round. He caught 5 passes for 84 yards and 2 touchdowns as a rookie. In 1988, he had 39 catches for 761 yards and 6 touchdowns. In 1989, he led the Eagles with 11 touchdown catches. He was cut after the preseason due to alcohol and drug abuse. The Vikings claimed him off waivers on September 4, 1990. In 1991, he led the team with 72 receptions, 962 yards, and 5 touchdowns. In 1992, he led the team with 53 receptions, 681 yards, and 6 touchdowns despite missing four games with a broken collarbone. In 1993, he posted career highs in receptions (86) and yards (1,071) with 9 touchdowns, and appeared in his first Pro Bowl. In 1994, he set a Vikings franchise record with 122 receptions (leading the NFL), plus 1,256 yards and 7 touchdowns, earning First-team All-Pro. In 1995, he caught 122 passes for a career-high 1,371 yards and led the NFL with 17 touchdown receptions, earning Second-team All-Pro. In 1996, he caught 96 passes for 1,163 yards and 10 touchdowns. He appeared in his fourth straight Pro Bowl after 1996.

Did You Know?

• Carter's first professional catch was a 22-yard touchdown vs. the St. Louis Cardinals.
• At the 1985 Citrus Bowl, he made a catch that quarterback Jim Karsatos called the greatest in college football history.
• Carter was ruled ineligible for his senior season at Ohio State after secretly signing with agent Norby Walters.
• He was claimed off waivers by the Vikings for only $100.