Matt D'Orazio

{{Short description|American gridiron football player (born 1976)}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Matt D'Orazio

| image =

| caption =

| number = 2, 10

| position = Quarterback

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|10|1}}

| birth_place = Elyria, Ohio, U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 4

| weight_lbs = 230

| high_school = St. Francis DeSales {{nowrap|(Columbus, Ohio)}}

| college = Otterbein

| undraftedyear = 2000

| pastteams =

Milwaukee Mustangs ({{AFL Year|2000}})
New Jersey Gladiators ({{AFL Year|2001}})*
Roanoke Steam ({{Af2 Year|2001}})
Rochester Brigade ({{Af2 Year|2002}})
Buffalo Destroyers ({{AFL Year|2003}})*
Mohegan Wolves ({{Af2 Year|2003}})
Columbus Destroyers ({{AFL Year|2004}}–{{AFL Year|2005}})
Chicago Rush ({{AFL Year|2006}}–{{AFL Year|2007}})
Philadelphia Soul ({{AFL Year|2008}})
Calgary Stampeders ({{CFL Year|2009}})*

| highlights =

2× ArenaBowl champion (XX, XXII)
2× ArenaBowl MVP (XX, XXII)
AFL MVP (2008)
First-team All-Arena (2008)
Champs Sports Quarterback of the Year ({{AFL Year|2008}})
Otterbein Athletics Hall of Fame inductee (2012)

| aflstatlabel1 = Comp. / Att.

| aflstatvalue1 = 1,165 / 1,687

| aflstatlabel2 = Passing yards

| aflstatvalue2 = 12,972

| aflstatlabel3 = TD–INT

| aflstatvalue3 = 257–26

| aflstatlabel4 = QB rating

| aflstatvalue4 = 123.33

| aflstatlabel5 = Rushing TD

| aflstatvalue5 = 41

| afl = 2449

| cfl-archive = https://web.archive.org/web/20120227193028/http://www.cfl.ca/roster/show/id/2257

}}

Matthew Louis D’Orazio (born October 1, 1976) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the Arena Football League (AFL). He played college football at Otterbein College.

D'Orazio was a member of the Roanoke Steam, Rochester Brigade, Buffalo/Columbus Destroyers, Mohegan Wolves, Chicago Rush, Philadelphia Soul and Calgary Stampeders. He was named the MVP of ArenaBowl XX. He was also named the 2008 AFL MVP, as well as the ArenaBowl XXII MVP, both in the same season.

Early life

D'Orazio attended St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus, Ohio, and lettered in football and basketball. In football, he was an All-State selection, and in basketball, he was an All-Conference selection. His #10 jersey was retired by the school.{{cite web | url=http://pouringpurple.com/matt-dorazio/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811234936/http://pouringpurple.com/matt-dorazio/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 11, 2017 | title=Matt D'Orazio | publisher=pouringpurple.com | access-date=August 11, 2017}}

College career

D'Orazio originally attended Youngstown State University where he red-shirted in 1995 and played in one game in 1996. He then transferred to Otterbein College, where he then set school single-season and career records for passing yards, touchdown passes and total offense. While there, he passed for 8,770 yards and 73 touchdowns while rushing for 594 yards and five touchdowns during his career. In 2012, D'Orazio was inducted into the Otterbein Athletic Hall of Fame.Otterbein University. [http://www.otterbeincardinals.com/hof.aspx?hof=49&path=&kiosk= "Otterbein University - Hall of Fame"]. Retrieved on May 10, 2013.

Professional career

=Milwaukee Mustangs=

D'Orazio entered the Arena Football League in 2000, when he signed with the Milwaukee Mustangs, where he only spent one season. He was placed on recallable waivers by the Mustangs on January 25, 2001.{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811232931/http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=22 | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 11, 2017 | title=Historical Team Transactions | publisher=arenafan.com | access-date=August 11, 2017}}

=New Jersey Gladiators=

Then on March 8, 2001, he signed with the New Jersey Gladiators. He was placed on recallable waivers by the Gladiators on April 9, 2001.{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=102 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811233439/http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=102 | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 11, 2017 | title=Historical Team Transactions | publisher=arenafan.com | access-date=August 11, 2017}}

=Roanoke Steam=

In 2001, D'Orazio played for the Roanoke Steam of the AFL's minor league af2.{{cite web | url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2001/06/30/met_316160.shtml | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811232705/http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2001/06/30/met_316160.shtml | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 11, 2017 | title=Stallions fall to Roanoke | publisher=chronicle.augusta.com | date=June 30, 2011 | access-date=August 11, 2017}}

=Rochester Brigade=

In 2002, D'Orazio signed with the Rochester Brigade of the af2. For the season, he went 324-of-522, for 3,372 passing yards, 51 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He also rushed for 332 yards and 20 touchdowns, an af2 alltime record.{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/news/?page=pressrel&article=9170 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811231351/http://www.arenafan.com/news/?page=pressrel&article=9170 | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 11, 2017 | title=af2 week 13: Quick Hitters | publisher=arenafan.com | date=June 19, 2008 | access-date=August 11, 2017}}

=Buffalo Destroyers=

In 2003, D'Orazio returned to the AFL, signing with the Buffalo Destroyers' practice squad on February 19, 2003.{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=42 | title=Historical Team Transactions | publisher=arenafan.com | access-date=August 11, 2017}} He was released by the Destroyers on April 9, 2003.{{cite web | url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/afl-veteran-puleri-signs-with-buffalo/n-1991049 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811231803/http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/afl-veteran-puleri-signs-with-buffalo/n-1991049 | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 11, 2017 | title=AFL VETERAN PULERI SIGNS WITH BUFFALO | publisher=oursportscentral.com | date=April 9, 2003 | access-date=August 11, 2017}}

=Mohegan Wolves=

D'Orazio played for the Mohegan Wolves of the af2 in 2003.{{cite web | url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores103/103199/20030718AFL2-MOHEGAN---0.htm | archive-url=https://archive.today/20170812000839/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores103/103199/20030718AFL2-MOHEGAN---0.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 12, 2017 | title=Wilkes-Barre vs. Mohegan | publisher=usatoday30.usatoday.com | date=July 18, 2003 | access-date=August 11, 2017}}

=Columbus Destroyers=

He signed with the Columbus Destroyers on November 18, 2003, and played for the team until 2005.{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=103 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811231706/http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=103 | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 11, 2017 | title=Historical Team Transactions | publisher=arenafan.com | access-date=August 11, 2017}}

=Chicago Rush=

On November 3, 2005, he signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Rush.{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=64 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811232111/http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=64 | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 11, 2017 | title=Historical Team Transactions | publisher=arenafan.com | access-date=August 11, 2017}}{{cite web | url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-11-04/sports/0511040261_1_frontier-league-squad-practice | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812011452/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-11-04/sports/0511040261_1_frontier-league-squad-practice | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 12, 2017 | title=Baseball AMERICAN LEAGUE Cleveland: Moved Joel... | publisher=Chicago Tribune | date=November 4, 2005 | access-date=August 11, 2017}} At the end of the 2006 season, he led the league as the top-rated passer (126.2), and the top rusher with 200 yards and 10 touchdowns. In ArenaBowl XX, he threw for 250 yards and six touchdowns, as well as rushing for two. He was named Offensive Player of the Game and game MVP for his performance. In the off-season following the 2007 season, D'Orazio was released by the Rush on November 7, 2007. The team did not want to wait until January to make a call on whether to keep him following his 2007 back injury during the playoffs.McCarthy, Jack. [https://www.espn.com/extra/afl/news/story?id=3498983 "D'Orazio didn't plan on leading Soul to ArenaBowl XXII"]. ESPN.com, July 22, 2008. Retrieved on May 10, 2013. He was replaced by former Arizona Rattlers quarterback Sherdrick Bonner.

=Philadelphia Soul=

In 2008, D'Orazio later signed with the Philadelphia Soul as a backup to Tony Graziani. He became the starting quarterback when Graziani was injured and was out for the season. D'Orazio was voted the AFL MVP for the season while leading Philadelphia to ArenaBowl XXII, where they defeated the San Jose SaberCats 59-56, and was named MVP of the game, as well. Along with George LaFrance, he is one of only two players to be named MVP of the ArenaBowl while playing for two different teams.ArenaFootball.com. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20160102172741/http://www.arenafootball.com/history/arenabowl.html "ArenaBowl"]}}. Retrieved on May 10, 2013.

=Calgary Stampeders=

On February 13, 2009, the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League signed D'Orazio. He was released on June 25, 2009.CFL.ca. [https://www.cfl.ca/article/across-the-cfl-cut-down-day-2009 "Across the CFL: Cut Down Day 2009"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629025655/http://www.cfl.ca/article/across-the-cfl-cut-down-day-2009 |date=2009-06-29 }}. June 25, 2009. Retrieved on May 10, 2013.

=AFL statistics=

{{tooltip\|Cmp\|Passes completed}}	{{tooltip\|Att\|Passes attempted}}	{{tooltip\|Pct\|Completion percentage}}	{{tooltip\|Yds\|Passing yards}}	{{tooltip\|TD\|Passing touchdowns}}	{{tooltip\|Int\|Interceptions}}	{{tooltip\|Rtg\|Passer rating}}	{{tooltip\|Att\|Rushing attempts}}	{{tooltip\|Yds\|Rushing yards}}	{{tooltip\|TD\|Rushing touchdowns}}
class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" ! rowspan=2 \| Year !! rowspan=2 \| Team !! colspan=7 \| Passing !! colspan=3 \| Rushing
2000	Milwaukee	1	2	50.0	40	0	1	56.25	0	0	0
2005	Columbus	205	324	63.3	2,246	40	6	106.84	50	178	8
2006	Chicago	305	434	70.3	3,552	63	5	126.24	56	200	10
2007	Chicago	353	511	69.1	3,803	82	10	122.09	61	127	12
2008	Philadelphia	301	416	72.4	3,331	72	4	131.32	56	224	11
class="sortbottom" style="background:#eee;" \| colspan=2 \| Career	1,165	1,687	69.1	12,972	257	26	123.33	223	729	41

Stats from ArenaFan:{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/players/2449/ | title=Matt D'Orazio | publisher=arenafan.com | access-date=August 11, 2017}}