Jason Rader
{{Short description|American football player (born 1981)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Jason Rader
| image = Rader, Clabo and Norwood.png
| caption = Rader with Tyson Clabo and Jerious Norwood
| position = Tight end
| number = 85
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|4|12}}
| birth_place = Charleston, West Virginia, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lb = 260
| high_school = Saint Albans
(St. Albans, West Virginia)
| college = Marshall
| undraftedyear = 2004
| teams =
- Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2004}})*
- Rhein Fire ({{NFLE Year|2005}}){{cite web |title=Jason Rader |url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/r/rade01350.html |website=Pro Football Archives |access-date=5 October 2024}}
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2005}}–{{NFL Year|2006}})
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2007}})*
- Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2008}}–{{NFL Year|2009}})
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 1
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 26
| pfr = RadeJa00
}}
Jason Randolph Rader (born April 12, 1981) is an American former professional football tight end who used to be a member of the Atlanta Falcons. He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at Marshall University.{{Cite web |date=June 25, 2003 |title=Jason Rader Named to Mackey Award List |url=https://herdzone.com/news/2003/6/25/Jason_Rader_Named_to_Mackey_Award_List|access-date=July 30, 2024 |publisher=Marshall University}}
Rader has also been a member of the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots.
Early life
Rader attended high school at St. Albans High School in St. Albans, West Virginia. He signed with coach Jim Donnan in 1999 at the University of Georgia, and caught two passes for 31 yards in the 2000 season. Rader transferred to Marshall University, sitting out in 2001. In 2002–03, he caught 30 passes each year, piling up 553 yards and 5 touchdowns, helping the Herd to an upset of No. 6 Kansas State as a senior in 2003 and finished with an 8–4 season. In 2002, he caught 30 passes from Byron Leftwich and Stan Hill in leading the Herd to the Mid-American Conference title and a GMAC Bowl win over Louisville, 38–15, in Mobile, Ala. as Marshall finished 11-2 that season.
Professional career
=First stint with Falcons=
Rader was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons, but was released at the conclusion of training camp. He had a workout for the San Francisco 49ers in October but spent the year out of football.
=Miami Dolphins=
In the spring, Rader played with the Rhein Fire of NFL Europa, catching 21 passes for 189 yards. In June, he signed a two-year deal with the Miami Dolphins. Though he was released at the end of training camp, he spent the final eight games of the season on the team's practice squad.
Rader was re-signed by the team in January 2006. He was waived the following September, but re-signed to the practice squad. A few weeks later on September 16, Rader was signed to the Dolphins' active roster. He played five games (including one start) and accumulated no statistics before being released on November 8.
The Dolphins signed Rader to a future contract in January. He was released on August 27.
=New England Patriots=
Rader was signed to the Patriots' practice squad on September 3 after a tryout with the team on August 31.[http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/09/2_to_practice_s.html 2 to practice squad] Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Accessed September 3, 2007.[http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/08/pats_tryouts.html Pats tryouts] Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Accessed September 3, 2007.
He was released in late September.
=Second stint with Atlanta=
On March 14, 2008, Rader re-signed with the Atlanta Falcons after last playing with the team in the 2004 preseason. He was released by the team during final cuts on August 30, but re-signed on September 17 after the team waived tight end Martrez Milner.
Rader remained with the Falcons until October 29, when he was released to make room for re-signed offensive tackle Wayne Gandy. Rader had appeared in six games for the Falcons, catching one pass. Rader re-signed with the Falcons on December 8.
On April 24, 2010, Jason Rader announced that he was retiring.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110519102424/http://www.patriots.com/team/index.cfm?ac=playerbio&bio=32621 New England Patriots bio]
- [https://www.tsn.ca/nfl/story/?id=319309 tsn.ca]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rader, Jason}}
Category:American football tight ends
Category:Atlanta Falcons players
Category:Georgia Bulldogs football players
Category:Marshall Thundering Herd football players
Category:Miami Dolphins players
Category:New England Patriots players
Category:People from St. Albans, West Virginia
Category:Players of American football from Kanawha County, West Virginia