Antonio Freeman

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Freeman played college football at Virginia Tech, where he caught 121 passes for 2,207 yards and 22 touchdowns in four seasons. He also returned 64 punts for 652 yards and another touchdown, and rushed for 37 yards. His accomplishments earned him enshrinement in the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame. Freeman was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round with the 90th overall pick in the 1995 NFL draft. In his rookie season, he returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown during a playoff win over Atlanta. He went on to lead the Packers in receiving in four seasons from 1996 to 1999, and led the NFL in receiving in 1998. The peak of Freeman's career occurred during his first tenure with the Green Bay Packers including a victory in Super Bowl XXXI in 1997 over the New England Patriots. During that Super Bowl, Freeman caught a then-Super Bowl record-length touchdown pass of 81 yards from Brett Favre. That play would give the Packers the lead for good as they went on to win 35–21. Freeman finished the game with three receptions for 105 yards. The following year, Freeman gained over 1,200 receiving yards as Green Bay advanced to their second consecutive Super Bowl, where he caught 9 passes for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns in the 31–24 loss to the Denver Broncos. His 230 all-purpose yards in the game was the third highest total in Super Bowl history. In 1998, Freeman had his best NFL season, catching 84 passes for a league leading 1,424 receiving yards and earning his only Pro Bowl appearance. During overtime of a Monday night game on November 6, 2000, despite bad weather conditions, Freeman caught what initially appeared to be an incomplete pass while lying on his side—after almost being intercepted by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cris Dishman, the ball actually bounced off multiple parts of Freeman's body without hitting the ground. Untouched by the defender, Freeman jumped to his feet and ran the ball in for the winning touchdown over the Vikings. The touchdown prompted ABC play-by-play announcer Al Michaels to shout, 'He did WHAT?!' In 2005, ESPN labeled the catch as the greatest play in the history of Monday Night Football. Freeman played for the Green Bay Packers from 1995 through the 2001 NFL season. After feuding with Packers Head Coach Mike Sherman in 2001, Freeman signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. His final game in his first Packers tenure was aga

In Their Own Story

The wind howled across Lambeau Field, biting through layers of wool and padding. Antonio Freeman adjusted his helmet, eyes locked on the quarterback’s spiral cutting through the freezing air. The crowd roared, a deafening wall of sound that vibrated through the turf. He leaped, extending gloved hands above defenders in black jerseys. Time seemed to suspend as the ball met his palms. It wasn't just a catch; it was a promise kept to the city.

Reader's Guide

Freeman occasionally participates as an analyst on ESPN First Take and NFL Live, mostly during NFL season. He has also appeared on ESPN College Gameday in support of his alma mater Virginia Tech. Freeman was also a commentator on Redskins Kickoff and Redskins Postgame Live for Comcast SportsNet Washington. Freeman was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. Freeman has hosted his own radio show The End Zone with Antonio Freeman since 2010, the show currently airs on WTSO in Madison and WOKY in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Did You Know?

• Freeman caught a then-Super Bowl record-length touchdown pass of 81 yards in Super Bowl XXXI.
• His 230 all-purpose yards in Super Bowl XXXII was the third highest total in Super Bowl history.
• ESPN labeled his 2000 Monday Night Football catch as the greatest play in the history of Monday Night Football.
• Freeman had three 1,000-yard receiving seasons from 1997 to 1999.