Carson Tinker
{{Short description|American football player (born 1989)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Carson Tinker
| image = Carson Tinker, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oct. 12, 2014.jpg
| caption = Tinker with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Long snapper
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|11|15}}
| birth_place = Decatur, Alabama, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lbs = 237
| high_school = Riverdale {{avoid wrap|(Murfreesboro, Tennessee)}}
| college = Alabama (2008–2012)
| undraftedyear = 2013
| pastteams =
- Jacksonville Jaguars ({{NFL Year|2013}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
- New York Giants ({{NFL Year|2020}}–{{NFL Year|2021}})*
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|2021}})
- Las Vegas Raiders ({{NFL Year|2021}})
- Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
- Seattle Seahawks ({{NFL Year|2022}})
- Jacksonville Jaguars ({{NFL Year|2023}})*
- Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|2023}})
| status =
| highlights =
- Super Bowl champion (LVI)
- 3× BCS national champion (2009, 2011, 2012)
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 99
| statlabel2 = Total tackles
| statvalue2 = 18
| pfr = TinkCa00
}}
Carson Tinker (born November 15, 1989) is an American former professional football long snapper. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where was a member of their 2009 National Championship team and played as the starting long snapper for both the 2011 and 2012 national championship teams. He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2013.
College career
After he was redshirted for the 2008 season, Tinker saw his first action in Alabama's game against Chattanooga during the 2009 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/tinker_carson00.html |title=Carson Tinker profile |publisher=RollTide.com |access-date=November 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119081049/http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/tinker_carson00.html |archive-date=November 19, 2012 }} For the 2010 season, Tinker was elevated as the starting long snapper for the Crimson Tide and converted 121 of 123 snapping opportunities during the season. For the 2011 season, Tinker converted all 119 snapping opportunities en route to the 2011 national championship. Tinker was selected by his teammates to accept the 2011 Disney's Wide World of Sports Spirit Award on December 8, 2011, on behalf of the entire team in recognition for their collective efforts in the rebuilding of Tuscaloosa after the tornado.{{cite news |title=Alabama wins Disney Spirit Award for efforts following storm |url=http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20111122/news/111129968 |first=Tommy |last=Deas |newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News |date=November 22, 2011 |access-date=November 25, 2012}}{{cite news |title=Carson Tinker belongs among heroes, and not just the sports kind |url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/12/carson_tinker_belongs_among_he.html |first=Tommy |last=Hicks |newspaper=Press-Register |date=December 12, 2011 |access-date=November 25, 2012}}
For his first four years with the Crimson Tide, Tinker played as a member of the team as a walk-on.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=August 21, 2012 |title=Alabama awards Carson Tinker scholarship |publisher=Yahoo! Sports |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/alabama-awards-carson-tinker-scholarship-235957111--ncaaf.html |access-date=November 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121233528/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/alabama-awards-carson-tinker-scholarship-235957111--ncaaf.html |archive-date=November 21, 2012 }} Prior to the start of his senior season, Tinker was awarded a full athletic scholarship for the year by Nick Saban in recognition of his accomplishments on and off the field. In 2012, Tinker again served as the starting long snapper and converted 133 of 135 snapping opportunities during the season.
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 0 1/8
| weight = 233
| dash = 5.00
| ten split = 1.73
| twenty split = 2.97
| cone drill = 8.06
| vertical = 26.0
| broad ft = 8
| broad in = 1
| bench = 17
| arm span = 31 3/8
| hand span = 9 1/8
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |title=2013 NFL Draft Scout Carson Tinker College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=84670&DraftYear=2013 |access-date=August 19, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
At the end of his senior season at Alabama, Tinker was ranked as the top available long snapper for the 2013 NFL draft.{{cite web |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings |title=2013 NFL Draft Prospects |publisher=CBSSports.com |access-date=November 25, 2012}}
=Jacksonville Jaguars (first stint)=
After going undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft, Tinker signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.{{cite news|last=Kausler Jr.|first=Don|title=Alabama draft recap: The Tide only did better in 1945, when there were 32 rounds|url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/04/alabama_draft_recap_the_tide_o.html|access-date=May 6, 2013|date=April 27, 2013|publisher=AL.com}} In training camp, he competed for the starting long snapper position with veteran Jeremy Cain and rookie Luke Ingram.{{cite news|last=Gribble|first=Andrew|title=Carson Tinker lone remaining long snapper on Jacksonville Jaguars' roster after Sunday cuts|url=http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2013/08/former_alabama_long_snapper_ca_1.html|access-date=August 26, 2013|date=August 25, 2013|publisher=AL.com}} On August 25, Tinker won the starting job after Cain and Ingram were released.
On August 3, 2017, during training camp, Tinker suffered a torn ACL and was placed on injured reserve.{{cite web|title=Jaguars Make Roster Moves|url=http://www.jaguars.com/news/article-JaguarsNews/Jaguars-Make-Roster-Moves/8c9716e2-a526-4f34-b603-71f5c2395961|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806121340/http://www.jaguars.com/news/article-JaguarsNews/Jaguars-Make-Roster-Moves/8c9716e2-a526-4f34-b603-71f5c2395961|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 6, 2017|website=Jaguars.com|date=August 3, 2017}}
On October 11, 2018, Tinker was placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed knee injury.{{cite web|title=Jaguars Sign Long Snapper Matt Overton|url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/jaguars-sign-long-snapper-matt-overton|website=Jaguars.com|date=October 12, 2018}}
On March 8, 2019, the Jaguars released Tinker due to salary cap space issues.{{Cite web |last=Oehser |first=John |date=March 8, 2019 |title=Parting ways: Jackson, Parnell, Gipson, Hyde, Tinker released |url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/parting-ways-jackson-parnell-gipson-hyde-tinker-released |access-date=March 25, 2023 |website=Jaguars.com}}
=New York Giants=
After sitting out the 2019 NFL season, Tinker was signed by the New York Giants on September 2, 2020.{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Michael |date=September 2, 2020 |title=Giants sign LS Carson Tinker, waive TE Rysen John |url=https://www.giants.com/news/carson-tinker-long-snapper-signed-rysen-john-tight-end-waived-roster-2020 |access-date=September 2, 2020 |website=Giants.com |language=en-US}} He was released on September 5, 2020, and signed to the practice squad the next day.{{cite web|title=New York Giants announce 53-man roster|url=https://www.giants.com/news/giants-roster-2020-nfl-season-new-york-announce-53-man-roster-joe-judge|author=Eisen, Michael|website=Giants.com|date=September 5, 2020}}{{cite web|title=Giants sign 14 to practice squad; 2 spots open|url=https://www.giants.com/news/giants-roster-sign-13-players-to-practice-squad-2-spots-open|author=Eisen, Michael|website=Giants.com|date=September 6, 2020}} He signed a reserve/future contract on January 4, 2021.{{cite web|title=Giants sign 2 free agents to renegotiated contracts; 13 players to reserve/future contracts|url=https://www.giants.com/news/madre-harper-jackson-barton-contracts-nfl-2021-free-agents|author=Eisen, Michael|website=Giants.com|date=January 4, 2021}} He was released on August 24, 2021.{{cite web|title=Giants reach NFL's roster limit of 80 players|url=https://www.giants.com/news/roster-moves-transactions-montre-hartage-cole-hikutini-rysen-john|author=Eisen, Michael|website=Giants.com|date=August 24, 2021}}
=Tampa Bay Buccanners=
On September 13, 2021, Tinker was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.{{cite web|title=Bucs Promote Andrew Adams, Put Two on IR|url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-promote-andrew-adams-place-two-injured-reserve-roster-moves|author=Smith, Scott|website=Buccaneers.com|date=September 13, 2021}} He was released on November 23.{{Cite web |last=Chavkin |first=Daniel |date=2021-11-23 |title=Buccaneers Activating WR Scotty Miller, Releasing LS Carson Tinker |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/buccaneers-activating-wr-scotty-miller-releasing-ls-carson-tinker/ |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US}}
=Las Vegas Raiders=
On December 1, 2021, Tinker was signed by the Las Vegas Raiders.{{Cite web |last=Damien |first=Levi |date=December 1, 2021 |title=Raiders sign free agent LS Carson Tinker with Trent Sieg on reserve/COVID-19 list |url=https://raiderswire.usatoday.com/2021/12/01/raiders-sign-free-agent-ls-carson-tinker-with-trent-sieg-on-reserve-covid-19-list/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Raiders Wire|publisher=USA Today}} He was released on December 9 after Trent Sieg returned to the active roster from the Reserve/COVID list.{{cite web | last=Inabinett | first=Mark | title=Raiders release another former Alabama player | website=AL.com | date=2021-12-12 | url=https://www.al.com/sports/2021/12/raiders-release-another-former-alabama-player.html | access-date=2024-12-31}}
=Los Angeles Rams (first stint)=
On December 18, 2021, Tinker was signed to the Los Angeles Rams practice squad.{{cite web | title=Los Angeles Rams 2021 Roster Transactions | website=ESPN | date=2024-12-31 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/transactions/_/name/lar/season/2021 | access-date=2024-12-31}} Tinker won his first Super Bowl ring when the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl LVI - Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals - February 13th, 2022 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202202130cin.htm |access-date=March 25, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
=Seattle Seahawks=
On September 8, 2022, Tinker signed with the practice squad of the Seattle Seahawks.{{cite web|title=Carson Tinker returns to an NFL roster|url=https://www.al.com/sports/2022/09/carson-tinker-returns-to-an-nfl-roster.html|author=Inabinett, Mark|website=AL.com|date=September 8, 2022|access-date=September 9, 2022}} He was signed to the active roster six days later.{{cite web|title=Seahawks Sign Carson Tinker, Place Tyler Ott On Injured Reserve|url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-sign-carson-tinker-place-tyler-ott-on-injured-reserve|author=Boyle, John|website=Seahawks.com|date=September 14, 2022|access-date=September 15, 2022}}
=Jacksonville Jaguars (second stint)=
On August 14, 2023, Tinker signed with the Jaguars.{{cite web|title=Jaguars activate OL Ben Bartch, sign LS Carson Tinker|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/jaguars-activate-ol-ben-bartch-sign-ls-carson-tinker|website=NBCSports.com|date=August 14, 2023|access-date=August 14, 2023}} He was released on August 20, 2023.{{cite web |title=Roster Moves: Jaguars Sign Long Snapper Tucker Addington |url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/roster-moves-jaguars-sign-long-snapper-tucker-addington |website=Jaguars.com |publisher=Jacksonville Jaguars |access-date=August 21, 2023}}
=Los Angeles Rams (second stint)=
On December 12, 2023, Tinker was signed by the Rams to their active roster.{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Stu |date=December 12, 2023 |title=Rams sign long snapper Carson Tinker |url=https://www.therams.com/news/rams-sign-long-snapper-carson-tinker-to-active-roster |access-date=December 13, 2023 |website=TheRams.com}}
Personal life
Tinker was born on November 15, 1989, in Decatur, Alabama.{{cite news|last=Goodbread|first=Chase|title=Tornado had emotional impact on Tide athletes|url=http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20110628/news/110629695|access-date=May 11, 2013|newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News|date=June 28, 2011}} On April 27, 2011, Tinker suffered a personal tragedy when his girlfriend Ashley Harrison was killed during the 2011 Tuscaloosa – Birmingham tornado.{{cite news |last=Anderson |first=Lars |date=May 23, 2011 |title=Terror, tragedy and hope in Tuscaloosa |newspaper=Sports Illustrated |publisher=sportsillustrated.cnn.com |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1186008/1/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520025854/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1186008/1/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 20, 2011 |access-date=November 25, 2012}} In recognition for his efforts in helping the Tuscaloosa community rebuild in the aftermath of the tornado, Tinker was named as a finalist for the 2011 Sportsman of the Year.{{cite news |last=Anderson |first=Lars |date=November 4, 2011 |title=My Sportsman: Carson Tinker |newspaper=Sports Illustrated |publisher=sportsillustrated.cnn.com |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/magazine/sportsman/10/31/anderson.tinker/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110215420/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/magazine/sportsman/10/31/anderson.tinker/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 10, 2011 |access-date=November 25, 2012}} On May 1, 2014, Tinker published his first book, A Season to Remember: Faith in the Midst of the Storm (B&H Publishing Group, Nashville TN), which details his experience in the 2011 Tuscaloosa tornado as well as the 2011–12 University of Alabama football championship season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/products/005609433-3/|title=A Season to Remember|website=B&H Publishing|access-date=January 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102143032/https://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/products/005609433-3/|archive-date=January 2, 2019|url-status=dead}} He has also been focused on promoting his foundation, The Be A Blessing Foundation, a tax-exempt 501(c)-3 charitable foundation created to help those who have suffered any kind of loss or hardship, to stop living in their circumstance and begin living in their vision.{{Cite web |url=http://beablessingnow.com/ |title=Be a Blessing | Carson Tinker |access-date=June 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170527140407/http://beablessingnow.com/ |archive-date=May 27, 2017 |url-status=dead }}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20121119081049/http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/tinker_carson00.html Alabama Crimson Tide bio]
- {{commons category-inline}}
{{2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football navbox}}
{{2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football navbox}}
{{2012 Alabama Crimson Tide football navbox}}
{{Super Bowl LVI}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tinker, Carson}}
Category:Players of American football from Decatur, Alabama
Category:Players of American football from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Category:American football long snappers
Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football players
Category:Jacksonville Jaguars players
Category:New York Giants players
Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players
Category:Las Vegas Raiders players