Josh Bellamy
{{Short description|American football player (born 1989)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Josh Bellamy
| image = Josh bellamy 2015.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Bellamy with the Chicago Bears in 2015
| current_team =
| number = 11, 17, 15
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|5|18}}
| birth_place = St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lbs = 208
| high_school = Boca Ciega (Gulfport, Florida)
| college = Louisville
| undraftedyear = 2012
| pastteams =
- Kansas City Chiefs ({{NFL Year|2012}})
- San Diego Chargers ({{NFL Year|2013}})*
- Washington Redskins ({{NFL Year|2013}})
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2014}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2019}})
| status =
| highlights =
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 78
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 1,019
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 5
| statlabel4 = Return yards
| statvalue4 = 128
|pfr=BellJo02
}}
Joshua Joevan Bellamy (born May 18, 1989){{Cite web |title=Josh Bellamy Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BellJo02.htm |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at Butte Community College before transferring to Louisville, and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He also played for the Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, and New York Jets.
Early life
Bellamy attended and played high school football at Boca Ciega High School.{{Cite news |date=December 20, 2010 |title=Louisville's Bellamy grateful for trip home |work=TBO.com |url=https://www.tbo.com/sports/colleges/louisvilles-bellamy-grateful-for-trip-home-21710 |url-status=dead |access-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018044603/https://www.tbo.com/sports/colleges/louisvilles-bellamy-grateful-for-trip-home-21710 |archive-date=October 18, 2018}}
College career
Bellamy played college football at Louisville under head coach Charlie Strong.{{Cite news |last=Potter |first=Mike |date=December 28, 2011 |title=Glennon, Wolfpack put the cherry on top with bowl victory |language=en-us |work=INDY Week |url=https://www.indyweek.com/sports/archives/2011/12/28/glennon-wolfpack-put-the-cherry-on-top-with-bowl-victory |access-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-date=December 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216220520/https://indyweek.com/culture/archives/glennon-wolfpack-put-cherry-top-bowl-victory/ |url-status=dead }} He finished his senior season with 24 receptions, 280 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Josh Bellamy College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/josh-bellamy-1.html |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Before transferring to Louisville, he played for Butte Community College in Oroville, California and led them to an undefeated JUCO national championship.{{Cite news |last=Souders |first=Travis |date=September 8, 2011 |title=The All-Time Butte Football Team: Stud wideouts have abounded at Cowan |url=http://www.chicoer.com/20110908/the-all-time-butte-football-team-stud-wideouts-have-abounded-at-cowan |access-date=October 17, 2018 |work=Chico Enterprise-Record |language=en-US}}
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable"
! Year ! School ! Conf ! Class ! Pos ! G ! Rec ! Yds ! Avg ! TD |
| 2010
| Louisville | Big East | JR | WR | 13 | 29 | 401 | 13.8 | 5 |
| 2011
| Louisville | Big East | SR | WR | 13 | 24 | 280 | 11.7 | 2 |
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/josh-bellamy-1.html Career]
| style="font-weight:bold;" | Louisville | style="font-weight:bold;" | | style="font-weight:bold;" | | style="font-weight:bold;" | | style="font-weight:bold;" | | style="font-weight:bold;" | 53 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 681 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 12.8 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 7 |
Professional career
=Kansas City Chiefs=
On April 30, 2012, Bellamy signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent.{{cite web | title=Chiefs announce 15 undrafted free agents | website=NBC Sports | date=April 30, 2012 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/chiefs-announce-15-undrafted-free-agents | access-date=October 17, 2024}} On August 31, 2012, he was released from the roster.{{Cite web |last=Vaughn |first=Jason M. |date=August 31, 2012 |title=Chiefs Make Final Roster Cuts |url=http://fox4kc.com/2012/08/31/chiefs-make-final-roster-cuts/ |access-date=August 31, 2012 |website=fox4kc.com}} On September 1, 2012, he was signed to the practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Looney |first=Josh |date=September 1, 2012 |title=Chiefs announce eight-man practice squad |url=http://www.chiefs.com/news/article-2/Chiefs-announce-eight-man-practice-squad/0fdd2d74-3d35-4a4c-98a9-a4ece06017f9 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429092950/http://www.chiefs.com/news/article-2/Chiefs-announce-eight-man-practice-squad/0fdd2d74-3d35-4a4c-98a9-a4ece06017f9 |archive-date=April 29, 2018 |access-date=September 1, 2012 |website=Chiefs.com}} On December 8, 2012, he was promoted to the active roster.{{cite web | last=Thorman | first=Chris | title=Chiefs make a roster move | website=Arrowhead Pride | date=December 8, 2012 | url=https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2012/12/8/3744820/kc-chiefs-roster-update-ol-hayworth-hicks-released-wr-josh-bellamy | access-date=October 17, 2024}}
He was released by the team on August 31, 2013.{{Cite web |last=Thorman |first=Joel |date=August 31, 2013 |title=Updated Chiefs depth chart |url=http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2013/8/31/4680632/kansas-city-chiefs-depth-chart-53-man-roster-edition |access-date=December 9, 2016 |website=Arrowhead Pride}}
=San Diego Chargers=
On September 10, 2013, Bellamy was signed by the San Diego Chargers to their practice squad.{{cite web | title=2013 San Diego Chargers Transactions | website=FootballDB.com | date=March 10, 2014 | url=https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/san-diego-chargers/transactions/2013 | access-date=October 17, 2024}} On November 19, 2013, he was released by the Chargers.{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2013 |title=Chargers OLB Ingram returns to practice |url=https://www.columbian.com/news/2013/nov/18/chargers-olb-ingram-returns-to-practice/ |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=The Columbian|agency=Associated Press}}
=Washington Redskins=
On November 21, 2013, two days after his release from the Chargers, Bellamy was signed by the Washington Redskins to their practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Tinsman |first=Brian |date=November 21, 2013 |title=Redskins IR Hankerson, Promote Lewis |url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Redskins-IR-Hankerson-Promote-Lewis/ae43f21b-fdbe-4a5c-8a7d-91de25cf6048 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305010156/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Redskins-IR-Hankerson-Promote-Lewis/ae43f21b-fdbe-4a5c-8a7d-91de25cf6048 |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |access-date=November 21, 2013 |website=Redskins.com}} On November 26, 2013, Bellamy was promoted to the 53-man roster.{{Cite web |last=Boyer |first=Zac |date=November 26, 2013 |title=Cartilage damage sidelines Stephen Bowen for season |url=http://washingtontimes.csnwashington.com/blog/redskins-watch/2013/nov/26/cartilage-damage-sidelines-stephen-bowen-season/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131127053413/http://washingtontimes.csnwashington.com/blog/redskins-watch/2013/nov/26/cartilage-damage-sidelines-stephen-bowen-season/ |archive-date=November 27, 2013 |access-date=November 26, 2013 |website=WashingtonTimes.com}}{{Cite web |last=Tinsman |first=Brian |date=November 26, 2013 |title=Bellamy Moved Up, Murphy Waived |url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Bellamy-Moved-Up-Murphy-Waived/eccabef8-8e71-4024-ac6c-20c37b38e76d |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304115251/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Bellamy-Moved-Up-Murphy-Waived/eccabef8-8e71-4024-ac6c-20c37b38e76d |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=November 27, 2013 |website=Redskins.com}} He was released by the team on April 5, 2014.{{Cite web |last=Florio |first=Mike |author-link=Mike Florio |date=April 5, 2014 |title=Redskins part ways with three |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/redskins-part-ways-with-three |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}
=Chicago Bears=
Bellamy was acquired off waivers by the Chicago Bears on April 8, 2014.{{Cite web |last=Wilkening |first=Mike |date=April 8, 2014 |title=Bears awarded Josh Bellamy on waivers |url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/08/bears-awarded-josh-bellamy-on-waivers/ |access-date=April 8, 2014 |publisher=Profootballtalk.com}} The Bears signed him to the team's practice squad on September 1, 2014, after waiving him earlier for final roster cuts.{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=September 1, 2014 |title=Bears sign 10 to practice squad |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-sign-10-to-practice-squad/7e7c35bc-a2c3-4107-99a9-711bde029d36 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114222459/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-sign-10-to-practice-squad/7e7c35bc-a2c3-4107-99a9-711bde029d36 |archive-date=November 14, 2016 |access-date=September 1, 2014 |website=ChicagoBears.com}} He was activated on September 13, 2014.{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=September 13, 2014 |title=Bears add three from practice squad |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-add-three-from-practice-squad/f48cda42-a6fa-4d8b-9c12-6c1d1e5ed37c |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602042956/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-add-three-from-practice-squad/f48cda42-a6fa-4d8b-9c12-6c1d1e5ed37c |archive-date=June 2, 2016 |access-date=September 14, 2014 |publisher=Chicago Bears}}
On September 20, 2015, Bellamy caught his first career touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals.{{Cite web |title=Cardinals vs. Bears - Box Score - September 20, 2015 - ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=400791661 |access-date=May 3, 2016 |website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web |title=Josh Bellamy: Game Logs at NFL.com |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/joshbellamy/2535964/gamelogs |access-date=May 3, 2016 |website=NFL.com}} On October 11, 2015, Bellamy caught a career-high 6 receptions against the Kansas City Chiefs.{{Cite web |title=Bears vs. Chiefs - Box Score - October 11, 2015 - ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=400791488 |access-date=May 3, 2016 |website=ESPN.com}} On November 22, 2015, Bellamy caught 4 passes for a then career-high 57 yards against the Denver Broncos.{{Cite web |title=Broncos vs. Bears - Box Score - November 22, 2015 - ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=400791673 |access-date=May 3, 2016 |website=ESPN.com}} On December 6, 2015, Bellamy had his first start, against the San Francisco 49ers, catching a pass for 16 yards.{{Cite web |title=49ers vs. Bears - Box Score - December 6, 2015 - ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=400791647 |access-date=May 3, 2016 |website=ESPN.com}}
On April 18, 2016, Bellamy signed his exclusive rights tender offer. He re-signed with Chicago on a one-year deal worth $760,000.{{Cite web |date=April 18, 2016 |title=Chicago Bears WR Joshua Bellamy signs tender |url=http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2016/04/18/Chicago-Bears-WR-Joshua-Bellamy-signs-tender/9471460999906/ |access-date=May 5, 2016 |website=UPI|via=The Sports Xchange}} On November 27, 2016, Bellamy caught four passes for 41 yards against the Tennessee Titans, but struggled with drops as the Bears lost 27–21.{{Cite news |last=Potash |first=Mark |date=November 27, 2016 |title=Josh Bellamy rues wide-open drop: 'I just missed the opportunity' |work=Chicago Sun-Times |url=http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/josh-bellamy-rues-wide-open-drop-i-just-missed-the-opportunity/ |access-date=December 9, 2016}} On December 4, 2016, Bellamy caught four passes for a career-high 93 yards against the San Francisco 49ers.{{Cite news |date=December 4, 2016 |title=Bears' Josh Bellamy: Leads Bears with 93 receiving yards in Week 13 |work=CBSSports.com |url=http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/bears-josh-bellamy-leads-bears-with-93-receiving-yards-in-week-13/ |access-date=December 9, 2016}}
On March 6, 2017, Bellamy re-signed with the Bears.{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=March 6, 2017 |title=Bears re-sign Daniel Brown, tender Josh Bellamy and Bryce Callahan |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/bears-re-sign-daniel-brown-tender-josh-bellamy-and-bryce-callahan |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} He caught a 46-yard touchdown against the Green Bay Packers on November 12, his second-longest touchdown of his career.{{Cite news |last=Dickerson |first=Jeff |date=November 12, 2017 |title=Bears' ugly loss to Packers a reflection on their coach |url=http://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/bears/post/_/id/4706969/bears-ugly-loss-to-packers-not-john-foxs-best-moment |access-date=October 17, 2024 |work=ESPN.com}} On December 16, Bellamy caught five passes for a season-high 70 yards against the Detroit Lions.{{Cite web |date=December 17, 2017 |title=2-Minute Drill: Bears called for 13 penalties in loss to Lions |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/2-minute-drill-bears-called-for-13-penalties-in-loss-to-lions-19993181 |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=Chicago Bears}} He played 15 games with seven starts, finishing with a career-high 24 receptions for 376 yards, good for second on the team behind Kendall Wright.{{cite web | title=Josh Bellamy 2017 Game Log | website=Pro Football Reference | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BellJo02/gamelog/2017/ | access-date=October 17, 2024}}{{cite web | title=2017 Chicago Bears Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports | website=Pro Football Reference | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2017.htm | access-date=October 17, 2024}}
He re-signed with the Chicago Bears for the 2018 season on a one-year contract worth $1,906,000.{{Cite news |last=Wiltfong Jr. |first=Lester |date=April 4, 2018 |title=Josh Bellamy signs his tender and officially returns to the Bears |url=https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/4/4/17201172/chicago-bears-josh-bellamy-signs-his-tender-and-officially-returns-to-the-restricted-free-agent |access-date=October 17, 2024 |work=Windy City Gridiron|publisher=SB Nation}} On September 30, 2018, Bellamy caught his first touchdown of the season in the 48–10 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Ken |date=October 2, 2018 |title=Cold Takes: A Look At Chicago's Win Over Tampa Bay |url=https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/10/2/17921960/chicago-bears-cold-takes-look-big-win-over-tampa-bay-buccaneers-trubisky-mack-gabriel-cohen-burton |access-date=October 17, 2024 |work=Windy City Gridiron|publisher=SB Nation}} On December 15, Bellamy was fined $10,026 for a chop-block on Los Angeles Rams lineman Aaron Donald.{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2018 |title=Fines roundup: Ezekiel Elliott fined $36,765 by NFL |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/fines-roundup-ezekiel-elliott-fined-36-765-by-nfl-0ap3000000999829 |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=NFL.com}}
In Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers, Bellamy was ejected after fighting cornerback Richard Sherman. They started fighting after 49ers safety Marcell Harris made a late hit on quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and wide receiver Anthony Miller joined the effort. In addition, Sherman and Miller were also ejected from the game. Before Bellamy was ejected, he had just one reception for 6 receiving yards. The Bears would go on to win 14–9.{{Cite news |last=Reyes |first=Lorenzo |date=December 23, 2018 |title=Richard Sherman ejected for role in 49ers-Bears brawl after late hit |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/49ers/2018/12/23/richard-sherman-ejected-brawl-niners-bears-hit/2404249002/ |access-date=December 23, 2018}}
Bellamy ended the year with 14 receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown.{{cite web | title=Josh Bellamy 2018 Game Log | website=Pro Football Reference | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BellJo02/gamelog/2018/ | access-date=October 17, 2024}} In the Bears' Wild Card Round playoff defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, he recorded a 34-yard catch that set up the Bears' lone offensive touchdown of the game.{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=February 6, 2019 |title=Bears 2018 position review: Receiver |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-2018-position-review-receiver |access-date=February 11, 2019 |publisher=Chicago Bears}}
=New York Jets=
On March 15, 2019, Bellamy signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the New York Jets.{{cite web | last=Greenberg | first=Ethan | title=WR Josh Bellamy Signs with the Jets | website=New York Jets | date=March 15, 2019 | url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/wr-josh-bellamy-signs-with-the-jets | access-date=October 17, 2024}} He was placed on injured reserve on November 5 due to a shoulder injuries; he had two catches for 20 yards on the season.{{Cite web |last=Greenberg |first=Ethan |date=November 5, 2019 |title=Jets Sign RB Josh Adams, LB Paul Worrilow to Active Roster |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-rb-josh-adams-lb-paul-worrilow-to-active-roster |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=NewYorkJets.com}}
Bellamy was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list on May 5, 2020, ending his 2020 season.{{Cite news |last=Greenberg, Ethan |date=May 5, 2020 |title=Jets Place WRs Quincy Enunwa, Josh Bellamy on Reserve/PUP |work=NewYorkJets.com |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-place-wrs-quincy-enunwa-josh-bellamy-on-reserve-pup |access-date=May 5, 2020}} He was released on September 8, 2020.{{Cite web |last=Cimini, Rich |date=September 10, 2020 |title=Ex-New York Jets WR Josh Bellamy charged in $24 million coronavirus relief loan scheme |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29854788/ex-new-york-jets-wr-josh-bellamy-charged-24-million-covid-19-relief-loan-scheme |website=ESPN.com}}
Fraud charges
On September 10, 2020, Bellamy was arrested and charged for his alleged participation in a scheme to file fraudulent loan applications worth over $24 million via the Paycheck Protection Program.{{Cite news |date=September 10, 2020 |title=NFL Player Charged for Role in $24 Million COVID-Relief Fraud Scheme |work=Justice.gov |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/nfl-player-charged-role-24-million-covid-relief-fraud-scheme |access-date=September 10, 2020}} He was convicted and sentenced to 37 months in federal prison on December 10, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/crime/2021/12/10/st-petersburg-ex-nfl-player-josh-bellamy-get-3-years-for-covid-19-relief-loan-fraud/ |last=Gehrt |first=Amy |date=December 10, 2021 |title=St. Petersburg ex-NFL player Josh Bellamy get 3 years for COVID-19 relief loan fraud |website=Tampa Bay Times |accessdate=December 10, 2021}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons}}
{{footballstats|yahoo=26108|espn=15555|nfl=josh-bellamy}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20130928022111/http://www.gocards.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/bellamy_josh00.html Louisville Cardinals bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bellamy, Josh}}
Category:Players of American football from St. Petersburg, Florida
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:American football cornerbacks
Category:Butte Roadrunners football players
Category:Louisville Cardinals football players
Category:Kansas City Chiefs players
Category:San Diego Chargers players
Category:Washington Redskins players
Category:Chicago Bears players