Chris Carter is a Minnesota's star wide receiver, eight-time Pro Bowl and Man of the Year award winner, and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Chris Darin Carter was born on November 25, 1965, in Troy, Ohio. He was given the name Graduel at birth, but later changed it and named himself after Bengals receiver Chris Collinsworth. He graduated from Middletown High School, where he was successful in football and basketball.
Chris Carter had no shortage of scholarship offers in both sports. He chose Ohio State's program and played his first season for two varsity teams at once, only then finally opting for football.
During his college career, Chris earned top honors with his route running, near-perfect body control and hand work.
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In one game, he fished a ball that the quarterback intentionally threw into touch. He played for the Buckeyes from 1984 through 1986, forfeiting a fourth because of a suspension - before it began, Carter secretly signed a contract with an agent, which was then revealed.
In the summer of 1987, WR Chris Carter was selected in the supplemental draft by Philadelphia, who gave up a fourth-round pick for him. His career was progressing nicely, and in 1989 he was the main target of the Eagles' red-zone offense, throwing eleven touchdowns. But after the season ended, Carter was suddenly dismissed by coach Buddy Ryan. Chris later revealed that his substance abuse was the cause, and thanked Ryan for helping him turn his life around.
In September 1990, Carter was invited to join Minnesota and the bet on the troubled rising star played out. A year later, he was already the Vikings' leading receiver. From 1993 through 2000, he broke the 1,000-yard mark for the season and was invited to the Pro Bowl. The team became playoff regulars during those years, although they never made it further than the conference finals. Three times, in 1995, 1997 and 1999, Chris became the NFL's all-time leader in receiving touchdowns. He also won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 1999.
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In 2000, Carter became the second player in league history to cross the 1,000 career receptions mark. He left the Vikings after the 2001 season, leaving as the franchise record holder for receptions, yards and receiving touchdowns.
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Chris finished his career with the Dolphins, playing in five games in 2002. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013. Carter is also a member of the Vikings Ring of Honor, his No. 80 being retired by the team.
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After completing his speaking engagements, Chris had a successful media career. He was the host of the Inside the NFL show on HBO, worked as an analyst on Yahoo, ESPN and Fox. The latter channel he left in 2019. Former Vikings WR Chris Carter also worked as a high school team coach in Florida, where his son Duron, a future Canadian League star, attended. There, in Florida, he also opened his own training center. In addition, Chris is a minister.