Fred Davis (tight end)

Davis prepped at Rogers High School in Toledo. He was on the USA Today All-USA second-team. According to Scout.com, Davis was rated the second best wide receiver in his recruiting class coming out of high school.{{Cite web |url=http://usc.scout.com/a.z?s=15&p=9&c=4&yr=2004 |title=USC 2004 Football Recruiting Class |access-date=July 5, 2007 |archive-date=February 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206010714/http://usc.scout.com/a.z?s=15&p=9&c=4&yr=2004 |url-status=live }} Davis played in the 2004 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

As a high school junior, Davis considered attending Ohio State University because it was the first program to offer him an athletic scholarship. His senior season resulted in many other offers, with USC winning out with a combination of weather, location, coaches, quality players and a style of offense that suited Davis; he conversed the matter over with fellow recruit Dwayne Jarrett before they both decided to join the Trojans.LQ Singian, [http://wearesc.com/news/story.php?article=1260 Exit Interview: Fred Davis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911205616/http://www.wearesc.com/news/story.php?article=1260 |date=September 11, 2008 }}, WeAreSC.com, August 21, 2008, Accessed August 24, 2008.

Davis graduated from Robert S. Rogers High School in Toledo, OH, a semester early to start spring training with the Trojans.Gary Klein, [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-sep-26-sp-uscdavis26-story.html It takes a while, but Davis catches on], Los Angeles Times, September 26, 2007, Accessed August 24, 2008. Tired of the recruiting process that accompanies top prospects, Davis secretly left Ohio to enroll at USC. Recruited as a wide receiver, he showed solid speed and raw athletic ability but lacked the route-running skills and ball-catching ability of other receivers. After consulting with then-offensive coordinator Norm Chow, Davis decided to try converting to tight end.

His freshman year, Davis contributed as a reserve to the eventual-national champion 2004 USC Trojans football team, playing in nine games and catching four passes behind fellow tight ends Dominique Byrd and Alex Holmes. However, because of repeated incidences of tardiness, reporting late after trips back to Ohio, Davis was not allowed to travel with the Trojans to the BCS National Championship Game in 2005 Orange Bowl. Davis reapplied himself the next season, catching 13 passes in 13 games during the 2005 season, including two in the 2006 Rose Bowl. During the 2006 season, Davis started ten games and caught 38 passes for 352 yards and three touchdowns.

Image:102007-USC-ND-fdtd.jpg]]

Davis was a preseason team All-Pacific-10 Conference player prior to 2007 and was considered a likely high draft choice for the 2008 NFL draft. He was on the 2007 Mackey Award watch list. Against Washington State, Davis had the best game of his career, with nine receptions for 124 yards and two touchdowns.John Nadel, [https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/recap?gid=200709220062 (1) USC 47, Washington St. 14] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109013457/http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/recap?gid=200709220062 |date=January 9, 2008 }}, Associated Press, September 22, 2007. The performance marked the most yards receiving ever in a game by a Trojans tight end.{{Cite web |last=Klein |first=Gary |date=2007-09-24 |title=USC rewind & fast forward |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-sep-24-sp-uscrep24-story.html |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} Prior to that, Davis had never caught more than six passes or gained more than 68 receiving yards in a game.

At the end of the 2007 regular season, Davis was selected to the All-Pac-10 Conference first-team by league coaches.[http://www.pac-10.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120307aal.html Pac-10 Football Awards and All-Conference Team Announced] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212025224/http://www.pac-10.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120307aal.html |date=February 12, 2009 }}, Pacific 10 Conference, December 3, 2007. He was also selected to the SI.com All-American Second-team.[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/ncaa/12/10/all.americas/index.html SI.com's All-Americas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213030240/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/ncaa/12/10/all.americas/index.html |date=December 13, 2007 }}, SI.com, December 11, 2007. Davis became the first USC player to win the Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end.Gary Klein, [https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-fbcrep7dec07,1,5253193.story Rose Bowl says no deal, for now], Los Angeles Times, December 7, 2007. When asked his favorite game as a USC player, Davis noted the 2006 Rose Bowl.

Davis was drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins.{{Cite web |title=2008 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2008/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} On May 4, the last day of the Redskins mini-camp, Davis overslept and missed the morning practice. On July 19, Davis received a four-year contract from the Redskins worth $3.5 million, including $1.8 million in bonus money.

Davis was not much of a factor during the 2008 season, partially due to the lack of playing time, for the Washington Redskins. He caught three passes for 27 yards.

File:Fred davis 2010.jpg

During the 2009 season, in a Week 7 game vs. the Philadelphia Eagles, Davis caught his first touchdown and recorded a career-high 7 catches for 78 yards. Davis was playing first-string tight end for most of this game due to an injury to starter Chris Cooley. He finished the season with 48 receptions for 509 yards and 6 touchdowns.

In the 2010 season, Davis had 21 receptions for 316 receiving yards. He played in all 16 games of the season and started 9 of them.

During the 2011 preseason, Davis switched from his original jersey number of 86 to 83.{{cite news|work=WashingtonPost.com|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/fred-davis-switches-jersey-number-eyes-breakout/2011/07/29/gIQAhT0jhI_blog.html|title=Fred Davis switches jersey number, eyes breakout|last=Jones|first=Mike|date=July 29, 2011|access-date=July 19, 2012|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310165412/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/fred-davis-switches-jersey-number-eyes-breakout/2011/07/29/gIQAhT0jhI_blog.html|url-status=live}} In the 2011 season, Davis would eventually become the starting tight end after starter, Chris Cooley, was placed on injured reserve. In Week 14, Davis and teammate, Trent Williams, were suspended for four games after repeatedly failing league drug tests.{{cite web|title=Tight End Fred Davis and Left Tackle Trent Williams Suspended for the Remainder of the Season|url=http://www.redskins101.com/2011/12/05/washington-redskins-tight-end-fred-davis-and-left-tackle-trent-williams-suspended-for-the-remainder-of-the-season/|access-date=December 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426022957/http://www.redskins101.com/2011/12/05/washington-redskins-tight-end-fred-davis-and-left-tackle-trent-williams-suspended-for-the-remainder-of-the-season/|archive-date=April 26, 2012|url-status=dead}}

Starting in 12 games, he finished the season recording career highs of 59 receptions and 796 yards, as well as having three touchdowns.{{cite web|work=Redskins.com|url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Roster-Review-Tight-Ends/13ebf685-b1f7-42c9-abbc-9d1943264c6c|title=Roster Review: Tight Ends|last=Tinsman|first=Brian|date=February 17, 2012|access-date=June 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512050654/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Roster-Review-Tight-Ends/13ebf685-b1f7-42c9-abbc-9d1943264c6c|archive-date=May 12, 2012|url-status=dead}} Despite his suspension, he was named the Redskins' 2011 Offensive Player of Year.{{cite news|work=WashingtonPost.com|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/fred-davis-london-fletcher-lorenzo-alexander-named-redskins-2011-players-of-the-year/2012/08/24/09696d38-ee16-11e1-afd8-097e90f99d05_blog.html|last=Jones|first=Mike|title=Fred Davis, London Fletcher, Lorenzo Alexander named Redskins' 2011 players of the year|date=August 24, 2012|access-date=August 24, 2012|archive-date=August 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826194700/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/fred-davis-london-fletcher-lorenzo-alexander-named-redskins-2011-players-of-the-year/2012/08/24/09696d38-ee16-11e1-afd8-097e90f99d05_blog.html|url-status=live}}

On March 2, 2012, the Washington Redskins placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Davis.{{cite news | work=WashingtonPost.com | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/redskins-readying-franchise-tag-for-fred-davis/2012/03/02/gIQAl8lumR_blog.html | title=Redskins use franchise tag on TE Fred Davis | access-date=March 2, 2012 | first=Mike | last=Jones | date=March 2, 2012 | archive-date=March 3, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303164852/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/redskins-readying-franchise-tag-for-fred-davis/2012/03/02/gIQAl8lumR_blog.html | url-status=live }}{{cite news | work=WashingtonPost.com | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/redskins-opted-for-non-exclusive-franchise-tag-on-fred-davis/2012/03/05/gIQAxnw4tR_blog.html?tid=pm_sports_pop | title=Redskins opted for non-exclusive franchise tag on Fred Davis | access-date=March 6, 2012 | first=Mike | last=Jones | date=March 6, 2012 | archive-date=March 9, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309232945/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/redskins-opted-for-non-exclusive-franchise-tag-on-fred-davis/2012/03/05/gIQAxnw4tR_blog.html?tid=pm_sports_pop | url-status=live }}

On March 16, 2012, he signed his one-year, franchise-player tender contract worth $5.446 million.{{cite news | work=WashingtonPost.com | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/fred-davis-signs-one-year-contract-with-redskins/2012/03/16/gIQA1wi3GS_blog.html | title=Fred Davis signs one-year contract with Redskins | access-date=March 16, 2012 | first=Mark | last=Maske | date=March 16, 2012 | archive-date=March 18, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318080754/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/fred-davis-signs-one-year-contract-with-redskins/2012/03/16/gIQA1wi3GS_blog.html | url-status=live }} After the release of Chris Cooley, he was officially named the Redskins' starting tight end. In the Week 7 game against the New York Giants, Davis tore his Achilles tendon in the first half, ending his 2012 season.{{cite web|work=NFL.com|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000082654/article/fred-davis-reportedly-suffers-torn-achilles-tendon|title=Fred Davis out for season with torn Achilles tendon|first=Gregg|last=Rosenthal|date=October 21, 2012|access-date=October 21, 2012|archive-date=October 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022231341/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000082654/article/fred-davis-reportedly-suffers-torn-achilles-tendon|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|work=Redskins.com|first=Andrew|last=Walker|date= October 21, 2012|access-date=October 21, 2012|url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Davis-Has-Torn-Achilles-Done-For-Season/f860a946-5e91-43e3-80ff-0521589a9a06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924085548/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Davis-Has-Torn-Achilles-Done-For-Season/f860a946-5e91-43e3-80ff-0521589a9a06|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 24, 2015|title=Davis Has Torn Achilles, Done For Season}} Cooley was eventually brought back to replace Davis.{{cite web |url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/bears-defeat-lions-to-maintain-nfc-north-lead-1.4142679 |title=Bears defeat Lions to maintain NFC North lead |publisher=Newsday |quote=Tight end Chris Cooley passed a physical and agreed to rejoin the Redskins a day after tight end Fred Davis was lost for the season with an Achilles tendon injury. |access-date=October 23, 2012 |archive-date=September 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928112716/http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/bears-defeat-lions-to-maintain-nfc-north-lead-1.4142679 |url-status=live }} He finished the season with 325 yards on 24 receptions and no touchdowns.

On February 26, 2013, Davis was officially cleared by medical personnel to play.{{cite web|work=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/8991662/washington-redskins-te-fred-davis-achilles-cleared-play|first=Adam|last=Schefter|date=February 26, 2013|access-date=March 30, 2013|title=Fred Davis cleared to play|archive-date=March 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301061011/http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8991662/washington-redskins-te-fred-davis-achilles-cleared-play|url-status=live}} Set to become an unrestricted agent, he re-signed with the Redskins on March 29 to a one-year contract.{{cite web|work=NFL.com|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/fred-davis-decides-to-stay-with-washington-redskins-0ap1000000155236|title=Fred Davis decides to stay with Washington Redskins|first=Gregg|last=Rosenthal|date=March 29, 2013|access-date=March 30, 2013|archive-date=March 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331032406/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000155236/article/fred-davis-signs-contract-with-washington-redskins|url-status=live}} Before Davis could test the upcoming free agent market for the 2014 season, he was suspended indefinitely by the NFL for violating their substance-abuse policy.{{cite web|last=Breech|first=John|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24448694/redskins-te-fred-davis-suspended-indefinitely-by-nfl|title=Redskins TE Fred Davis suspended indefinitely by NFL|work=CBS Sports|date=February 19, 2014|access-date=February 19, 2014|archive-date=February 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224015631/http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24448694/redskins-te-fred-davis-suspended-indefinitely-by-nfl|url-status=live}}

On May 1, 2015, Davis was reinstated by the league after being suspended for roughly a year.{{cite web|work=NFL.com|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/ex-redskins-te-fred-davis-reinstated-from-suspension-0ap3000000491683|title=Ex-Redskins TE Fred Davis reinstated from suspension|first=Chris|last=Wesseling|date=May 7, 2015|access-date=May 7, 2015|archive-date=May 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509190756/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000491683/article/exredskins-te-fred-davis-reinstated-from-suspension|url-status=live}}. On May 11, 2015, he signed a 1-year deal with the New England Patriots. On May 11, 2015, Davis signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots.{{cite web|last1=Patra|first1=Kevin|title=Patriots agree to deal with TE Fred Davis|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/new-england-pariots-sign-te-fred-davis-0ap3000000492080|work=NFL.com|access-date=May 11, 2015|archive-date=May 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513064201/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000492080/article/patriots-agree-to-deal-with-te-fred-davis|url-status=live}} On June 19, 2015, Davis was released.{{cite web|last1=Reiss|first1=Mike|title=Patriots cut Fred Davis|date=June 19, 2015|url=https://www.espn.com/boston/nfl/story/_/id/13115682/fred-davis-cut-new-england-patriots|publisher=ESPN|access-date=June 19, 2015|archive-date=June 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620030726/http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/_/id/13115682/fred-davis-cut-new-england-patriots|url-status=live}}

On January 10, 2011, a woman by the name of Makini R. Chaka filed a civil lawsuit against Davis for an altercation that occurred between the two at a nightclub in Washington, D.C. Davis was accused of assaulting Chaka by dumping his drink on her.{{Cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/02/fred-davis-lawsuit-redskins-impersonating-santana-moss_n_1638553.html |title=Fred Davis Lawsuit: Redskins TE Represents Himself In Civil Suit Against Makini R. Chaka |website=HuffPost |date=July 2, 2012 |access-date=August 4, 2012 |archive-date=July 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715204008/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/02/fred-davis-lawsuit-redskins-impersonating-santana-moss_n_1638553.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/post/fred-davis-accused-of-throwing-juice-on-a-woman-his-body-guard-claims-is-a-pimp/2012/06/29/gJQAlALZBW_blog.html|title=Fred Davis accused of throwing juice on a woman his body guard claims is a pimp|last=Kogod|first=Sarah|date=June 29, 2012|access-date=August 3, 2012|archive-date=July 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701034752/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/post/fred-davis-accused-of-throwing-juice-on-a-woman-his-body-guard-claims-is-a-pimp/2012/06/29/gJQAlALZBW_blog.html|url-status=live}} The civil case is closed. During the September 17, 2013 ruling, Judge Laura Cordero wrote that Chaka "has established by a preponderance of evidence that Defendant Fred Davis assaulted and battered her."

The judge awarded Chaka $186 in medical damages, $575 to compensate for damage to "her boots, her dress, [and] her hair weave." The judge also awarded Chaka $9,000 in lost earnings and $10,000 in pain and suffering.{{Cite web |url=http://www.washingtonian.com/blogs/capitalcomment/sports/redskins-player-fred-davis-must-pay-damages-for-assault-and-battery.php |title=Redskins Player Fred Davis Must Pay Damages for "Assault and Battery" |date=September 17, 2013 |access-date=March 13, 2014 |archive-date=March 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313213142/http://www.washingtonian.com/blogs/capitalcomment/sports/redskins-player-fred-davis-must-pay-damages-for-assault-and-battery.php |url-status=live }}

On July 23, 2014, D.C. police announced that there was a warrant for Davis' arrest for assaulting his ex-girlfriend on June 2.{{cite news|work=WashingtonPost.com|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/former-redskins-player-fred-davis-sought-on-domestic-violence-related-charge-in-dc/2014/07/23/bbe58ccc-1285-11e4-8936-26932bcfd6ed_story.html|title=Former Redskins player Fred Davis sought on domestic violence related charge in D.C.|first=Peter|last=Hermann|date=July 23, 2014|access-date=July 23, 2014|archive-date=July 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724060119/http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/former-redskins-player-fred-davis-sought-on-domestic-violence-related-charge-in-dc/2014/07/23/bbe58ccc-1285-11e4-8936-26932bcfd6ed_story.html|url-status=live}} The next day, Davis surrendered himself to the police.{{cite news|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/former-redskins-player-fred-davis-surrenders-to-dc-police-on-warrant/2014/07/24/8898e0f2-1358-11e4-9285-4243a40ddc97_story.html?tid=hpModule_a4df998e-86a7-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394|title=Former Redskins player Fred Davis surrenders to D.C. police on warrant|first=Peter|last=Hermann|date=July 24, 2014|access-date=July 27, 2014|archive-date=July 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725082206/http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/former-redskins-player-fred-davis-surrenders-to-dc-police-on-warrant/2014/07/24/8898e0f2-1358-11e4-9285-4243a40ddc97_story.html?tid=hpModule_a4df998e-86a7-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394|url-status=live}} The charges were dropped on August 27, 2014 due to insufficient evidence.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/prosecutors-drop-assault-charges-against-former-redskins-player-fred-davis/2014/08/27/707eb64c-2e31-11e4-994d-202962a9150c_story.html |title=Prosecutors drop assault charges against former Redskins player Fred Davis |first=Keith L. |last=Alexander |date=August 27, 2014 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=March 10, 2017 |archive-date=March 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330082922/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/prosecutors-drop-assault-charges-against-former-redskins-player-fred-davis/2014/08/27/707eb64c-2e31-11e4-994d-202962a9150c_story.html |url-status=live }}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{NFL.com player}}
• [http://www.redskins.com/team/roster/Fred-Davis/6f1fc701-ed18-4fe1-b4d2-94d20170e616 Washington Redskins bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729144951/http://www.redskins.com/team/roster/fred-davis/6f1fc701-ed18-4fe1-b4d2-94d20170e616/ |date=July 29, 2012 }}
• [http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/davis_fred00.html USC Trojans bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070503235151/http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/davis_fred00.html |date=May 3, 2007 }}

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Category:1986 births

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Category:American football tight ends

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