Aaron Sparrow
{{Short description|American football player (born 1972)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Aaron Sparrow
| image =
| number =
| position = Quarterback
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|1|27}}
| birth_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lbs = 200
| high_school = Woodrow Wilson {{nowrap|(Portsmouth, Virginia)}}
| college = Norfolk State
| undraftedyear = 1996
| pastteams =
- Calgary Stampeders ({{CFL Year|1996}})*
- Nashville Kats ({{AFL Year|1997}})
- Grand Rapids Rampage ({{AFL Year|1998}})
- Augusta Stallions ({{Af2 Year|2000}})
- Buffalo Destroyers ({{AFL Year|2001}})
- Carolina Cobras ({{AFL Year|2002}})
- Norfolk Nighthawks ({{Af2 Year|2003}})
- Wichita Stealth ({{Af2 Year|2004}})
| highlights =
- af2 Offensive Player of the Year ({{Af2 Year|2000}})
| aflstatlabel1 = Comp. / Att.
| aflstatvalue1 = 70 / 111
| aflstatlabel2 = Passing yards
| aflstatvalue2 = 766
| aflstatvalue3 = 16–7
| aflstatlabel4 = QB rating
| aflstatvalue4 = 93.15
| aflstatlabel5 = Rushing TDs
| aflstatvalue5 = 1
| afl = 1511
}}
Aaron Sparrow (born January 27, 1972) is an American former professional football quarterback who played three seasons in the Arena Football League (AFL) with the Nashville Kats, Grand Rapids Rampage and Carolina Cobras. He played college football at Norfolk State University. He was also a member of the Calgary Stampeders, Augusta Stallions, Buffalo Destroyers, Norfolk Nighthawks and Wichita Stealth.
Early life
Sparrow played high school football at Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth, Virginia. He was the All-Tidewater Player of the Year in 1989 and 1990.{{cite web|url=http://hamptonroads.com/2013/10/former-great-qb-aaron-sparrow-talks-wilson-football |title=Larry Rubama |publisher=hamptonroads.com |date=October 25, 2013 |accessdate=December 26, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227004343/http://hamptonroads.com/2013/10/former-great-qb-aaron-sparrow-talks-wilson-football |archivedate=December 27, 2014 }} He also earned Parade All-American honors and helped the team win a state championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailypress.com/1990/09/19/prep-qb-narrows-choices/ |title=Prep Qb Narrows Choices |publisher=dailypress.com |date=September 19, 1990 |access-date=October 26, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026200136/http://articles.dailypress.com/1990-09-19/sports/9009190328_1_virginia-tech-schools-prep-all-american-quarterback |archive-date=October 26, 2015 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/sparrow-getting-his-chance-in-augusta/n-2707627 |title=Sparrow Getting his Chance in Augusta |publisher=oursportscentral.com |date=June 25, 2000 |accessdate=July 7, 2016 |author=Vergane, Mike |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707214416/http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/sparrow-getting-his-chance-in-augusta/n-2707627 |archivedate=July 7, 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://media.trb.com/media/acrobat/2010-03/52522364.pdf |title=PARADE MAGAZINE ALL-AMERICANS FROM HAMPTON ROADS |publisher=media.trb.com |accessdate=July 7, 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708000133/http://media.trb.com/media/acrobat/2010-03/52522364.pdf |archivedate=July 8, 2016 }} Sparrow recorded career totals of 78 touchdown passes and 5,182 career passing yards.
College career
Sparrow originally committed to play football for the Virginia Cavaliers but ended up transferring to Norfolk State University after failing to meet academic requirements.{{cite news|url=https://www.dailypress.com/1993/09/05/uva-gets-by-with-poise-at-quarterback/ |title=U.va. Gets By With Poise At Quarterback |work=Daily Press |date=September 5, 1993 |access-date=July 7, 2016 |author=Teel, David |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707212210/http://articles.dailypress.com/1993-09-05/sports/9309050261_1_symmion-willis-aaron-mundy-virginia |archive-date=July 7, 2016 }}{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19910613&id=0-MPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xosDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4905,2271314&hl=en | title=Cavaliers miss out on Sparrow | work=The Free Lance-Star | date=June 13, 1991 | agency=Associated Press | accessdate=July 7, 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dailypress.com/1991/02/06/notebook-another-qb-commits-to-the-cavaliers/ |title=Notebook: Another Qb Commits To The Cavaliers |work=Daily Press |date=February 6, 1991 |access-date=July 7, 2016 |author=Teel, David |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707212358/http://articles.dailypress.com/1991-02-06/sports/9102060309_1_symmion-willis-quarterback-mike-groh-virginia-point-guard |archive-date=July 7, 2016 }}
Sparrow played for the Norfolk State Spartans from 1992 to 1995. He recorded 617 completions, 1,119 attempts, 8,758 passing yards and 79 TD passes in his college career. He was a 3-time All-CIAA selection, 1994 CIAA Offensive Player of the Year, 1995 CIAA Co-Offensive Player of the Year and a 2-time Division II All-American from 1994 to 1995. He was Named to the Football Gazette Division II All-America Team as a junior in 1994, when he passed for 3,212 yards and 31 touchdowns while completing what was then a school record 59.8 percent of his passes. Sparrow was also named 1st team Football Gazette and 3rd Team AP All-American as a senior. He was inducted into the Norfolk State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.nsuspartans.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1354 |title=Aaron Sparrow - Athletics Alumni |publisher=nsuspartans.com |accessdate=December 26, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227003949/http://www.nsuspartans.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1354 |archivedate=December 27, 2014 }}
Professional career
Sparrow signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in May 1996.{{cite news|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-68750347.html |title=SNUBBED BY NFL, SPARROW GOES TO CFL SPARTAN WILL COMPETE WITH 2 EX-STATE QBS. |work=The Virginian-Pilot |date=May 1, 1996 |accessdate=July 7, 2016 |author=Miller, Ed |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707214857/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-68750347.html |archivedate=July 7, 2016 }} He was released by the team on June 11, 1996.{{cite news|url=http://sportsagentinternshipshere.blogspot.com/2012/09/sparrow-back-at-nsu-after-short-stay-in.html |title=SPARROW BACK AT NSU AFTER SHORT STAY IN CFL. |work=The Virginian-Pilot |date=June 1996 |accessdate=July 7, 2016 |author=Miller, Ed |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707215126/http://sportsagentinternshipshere.blogspot.com/2012/09/sparrow-back-at-nsu-after-short-stay-in.html |archivedate=July 7, 2016 }}
Sparrow appeared in two games for the Nashville Kats of the Arena Football League (AFL) in 1997. He had a tryout with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL after the 1997 season.
Sparrow played in one game for the Grand Rapids Rampage of the AFL during the 1998 season, completing 13 of 16 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns.{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/players/Aaron_Sparrow-1511/ | title=Aaron Sparrow | publisher=arenafan.com | accessdate=December 26, 2014}} He also threw an interception during the game and hurt his shoulder when he attempted to tackle the returner. He finished the game but could not throw a football when he woke up the next morning. Sparrow missed the rest of the 1998 and 1999 seasons rehabbing from surgery.
Sparrow played for the Augusta Stallions of the af2 in 2000, earning af2 Offensive Player of the Year honors after completing 335 of 513 of his passes for 4,000 yards and 78 touchdowns with a 122.94 passer rating.{{cite web|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/a-sparrow-lands-with-the-stealth/n-2999634 |title=A Sparrow lands with the Stealth |publisher=oursportscentral.com |date=February 4, 2004 |accessdate=July 7, 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707193904/http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/a-sparrow-lands-with-the-stealth/n-2999634 |archivedate=July 7, 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://old.chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2000/08/11/met_295061.shtml |title=Stallions coach, quarterback honored |publisher=old.chronicle.augusta.com |date=August 11, 2000 |accessdate=July 7, 2016 |author=Gay, Chris |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707192846/http://old.chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2000/08/11/met_295061.shtml |archivedate=July 7, 2016 }} He also rushed for 54 yards and eleven touchdowns. He garnered First Team All-af2 recognition as well.
Sparrow was signed by the Buffalo Destroyers of the AFL in October 2000.{{cite news|url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2000/11/07/edi_299328.shtml#.V37RMPkrKUk |title=Stallions lose, gain coach |work=the Augusta Chronicle |date=November 7, 2000 |accessdate=July 7, 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707220105/http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2000/11/07/edi_299328.shtml#.V37RMPkrKUk |archivedate=July 7, 2016 }} He was placed on injured reserve on April 9, 2001. He was released by the Destroyers on July 20, 2001.{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=42 | title=Historical Team Transactions | publisher=arenafan.com | accessdate=July 7, 2016}}
Sparrow signed with the Carolina Cobras of the AFL on November 27, 2001, recording fourteen touchdown passes on 595 yards during the 2002 Arena Football League season.{{cite web |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/dallas-ready-for-expansion-draft/n-2708635 |title=Dallas ready for expansion draft |date=December 1, 2001 |publisher=OurSports Central |work=www.oursportscentral.com |accessdate=July 20, 2017}} He was released by the Cobras on November 2, 2002.{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=45 | title=Historical Team Transactions | publisher=arenafan.com | accessdate=December 26, 2014}}
Sparrow played for the Norfolk Nighthawks of the af2 in 2003 and completed 239 of 395 passes for 3,006 yards and 51 touchdowns. During his time with the franchise, Sparrow was the oldest player on the roster.{{Cite web|date=2003-06-01|title=Inside the huddle with Aaron Sparrow|url=https://ericpesola.com/nighthawks/inside-the-huddle-with-aaron-sparrow/|access-date=2021-07-10|website=Eric Pesola|language=en-US}}
Sparrow played for the Wichita Stealth of the af2 in 2004.{{cite web|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/sparrow-named-offensive-player-of-the-week/n-3027727 |title=Sparrow named offensive player of the week |publisher=oursportscentral.com |date=April 27, 2004 |accessdate=July 7, 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707194700/http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/sparrow-named-offensive-player-of-the-week/n-3027727 |archivedate=July 7, 2016 }}
=AFL statistics=
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan=2 | Year !! rowspan=2 | Team !! colspan=7 | Passing !! colspan=3 | Rushing | |||||||||||
| {{tooltip|Cmp|Passes completed}} | {{tooltip|Att|Passes attempted}} | {{tooltip|Pct|Completion percentage}} | {{tooltip|Yds|Passing yards}} | {{tooltip|TD|Passing touchdowns}} | {{tooltip|Int|Interceptions}} | {{tooltip|Rtg|Passer rating}} | {{tooltip|Att|Rushing attempts}} | {{tooltip|Yds|Rushing yards}} | {{tooltip|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Grand Rapids | 13 | 16 | 81.2 | 171 | 2 | 1 | 116.41 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2002 | Carolina | 57 | 95 | 60.0 | 595 | 14 | 6 | 88.71 | 3 | 10 | 1 |
| class="sortbottom" style="background:#eee;"
| colspan=2 | Career | 70 | 111 | 63.1 | 766 | 16 | 7 | 93.15 | 4 | 11 | 1 |
Stats from ArenaFan:{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/players/1511/ | title=Aaron Sparrow | publisher=arenafan.com | accessdate=July 20, 2017}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://www.justsportsstats.com/footballstatsindex.php?player_id=sparraar001 Stats Crew profile]
{{Carolina Cobras starting quarterback navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sparrow, Aaron}}
Category:American football quarterbacks
Category:Canadian football quarterbacks
Category:Norfolk State Spartans football players
Category:Calgary Stampeders players
Category:Nashville Kats players
Category:Grand Rapids Rampage players
Category:Augusta Stallions players
Category:Buffalo Destroyers players
Category:Carolina Cobras players
Category:Norfolk Nighthawks players
Category:Wichita Stealth players
Category:Players of American football from Portsmouth, Virginia