Jeff Backus
{{Short description|American football player (born 1977)}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| image = Jeff Backus 2012.jpg
| caption = Backus with the Detroit Lions in 2012
| number = 76
| position = Offensive tackle
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|09|21}}
| birth_place = Midland, Michigan, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 5
| weight_lbs = 305
| high_school = Norcross (Norcross, Georgia)
| college = Michigan (1996–2000)
| draftyear = 2001
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 18
| pastteams =
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2001}}–{{NFL Year|2012}})
| highlights =
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2001)
- National champion (1997)
- Second-team All-American (2000)
- 2× First-team All-Big Ten (1999, 2000)
- 2× Second-team All-Big Ten (1997, 1998)
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 191
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 = 191
| statlabel3 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue3 = 6
| pfr = BackJe20
}}
Jeffrey Carl Backus (born September 21, 1977) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Michigan. He was selected with the 18th pick in the first round of the 2001 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions and played his entire 12-year career for the team.{{Cite web |title=2001 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2001/draft.htm |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
Early life
Backus attended Norcross High School and was a standout in football and baseball.{{Cite web|url=http://lionsnetmix.com/2009/07/examining-evidence-jeff-backus.html|title=亚投购彩主页-亚投购彩网页版登录注册}} He spent his freshman year at Marist School in Dunwoody before returning to Norcross, where he played his middle school years. In football, as a senior, he was a USA Today All-America selection, and was chosen by the Gwinnett Touchdown Club as the Gwinnett Touchdown Club's Lineman of the Year.
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
|height ft=6
|height in=5 1/2
|weight=310
|dash=5.33
|ten split=1.81
|twenty split=3.01
|shuttle=4.67
|cone drill=8.27
|vertical=27
|broad ft=8
|broad in=3
|bench=25
|wonderlic=
|arm span=32 1/2
|hand span=9 1/2
|note=All measurables were taken at the NFL Scouting Combine.{{cite web | url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=75&DraftYear=2001 | title=NFL Draft Scout }} See also the [https://www.espn.com/fantasy/?id=136 scouting report].
}}
In July 2001, Backus signed a $7 million 5-year contract with the Detroit Lions, including a $3.2 million signing bonus. In July 2006, Jeff Backus signed a $40 million 6-year contract with the Lions. On November 22, 2012, Backus' streak of starting and playing in 186 consecutive games ended due to injury. On March 14, 2013, Backus retired.{{Cite web |date=2013-03-14 |title=Durable Lions T Backus retires after 12 seasons |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/9053216/jeff-backus-retires-12-seasons-detroit-lions |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}
Post-playing career
Backus became a part-time coaching intern with the Detroit Lions after his retirement from playing football.{{cite web|author=Birkett, Dave|url=http://www.freep.com/article/20130530/SPORTS01/305300077/detroit-lions-jeff-backus|title=Lions glad Jeff Backus is sticking around to coach|work=Detroit Free Press|date=May 30, 2013|access-date=June 8, 2013}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline}}
{{1997 Michigan Wolverines football navbox}}
{{2001 NFL Draft}}
{{LionsFirstPick}}
{{Lions2001DraftPicks}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Backus, Jeff}}
Category:American people of Lithuanian descent
Category:Players of American football from Norcross, Georgia
Category:Sportspeople from Midland, Michigan
Category:Players of American football from Michigan
Category:American football offensive tackles
Category:Norcross High School alumni