Robert Meachem
{{Short description|American football player (born 1984)}}
{{about|the athlete|the Reconstruction-era Florida politician|Robert Meacham}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Robert Meachem
| image = Robert Meachem at 2009 training camp.jpg
| caption = Meachem with the Saints in 2009
| current_team =
| number = 12, 17
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1984|9|28}}
| birth_place = Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lbs = 215
| high_school = Booker T. Washington (Tulsa)
| college = Tennessee (2003–2006)
| draftyear = 2007
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 27
| pastteams =
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2007}}–{{NFL Year|2011}})
- San Diego Chargers ({{NFL Year|2012}})
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2013}}–{{NFL Year|2014}})
- Richmond Roughriders (2018)
| pastcoaching =
- De La Salle High School (New Orleans) Wide receivers coach (2019–present)
| highlights =
- Super Bowl champion (XLIV)
- First-team All-American (2006)
- First-team All-SEC (2006)
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 178
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 2,914
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 27
| pfr = MeacRo00
}}
Robert Emery Meachem{{Cite web |date=September 28, 1984 |title=Robert Meachem Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MeacRo00.htm |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} (born September 28, 1984) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the New Orleans Saints. He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers, earning first-team All-American honors in 2006. Meachem was selected by New Orleans in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft with the 27th overall pick. He also played one season with the San Diego Chargers.
Early life
Raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Meachem played football in elementary school for the "Mabee Babies" of The Salvation Army North Mabee Boys & Girls Club.{{Cite web |last=Haisten |first=Bill |date=February 7, 2010 |title='Mabee Babies' turn out super |url=https://tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/othersports/mabee-babies-turn-out-super/article_e2444d29-92d9-5ca3-a1b8-519541aded5f.html |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Tulsa World |language=en}} He won a national basketball title in the summer after eighth grade with his AAU team, the Tulsa Jammers. He later attended Booker T. Washington High School, where he was a teammate of future NFL players Felix Jones and Mark Anderson, and was named a high school All-American by Parade and SuperPrep reporting services.{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Daniel |date=July 4, 2023 |title=Q&A with Robert Meachem: Catching up with the former Booker T. Washington and NFL receiver |url=https://tulsaworld.com/sports/local/q-a-with-robert-meachem-catching-up-with-the-former-booker-t-washington-and-nfl/article_a9450cdc-19ec-11ee-94db-1f9969375557.html |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Tulsa World |language=en}} Meachem was also a point guard on his high school basketball team, which won back to back state titles in 2001 and 2002.{{Cite web |last=Mosley |first=Matt |date=March 12, 2007 |title=Meachem's path to NFL started on farm |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft07/news/story?id=2796214 |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}
College career
Meachem attended the University of Tennessee, arriving in 2003.{{Cite web |title=Robert Meachem – Football |url=https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/robert-meachem/14688 |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=University of Tennessee Athletics |language=en}} He was part of a heralded recruiting class with receivers Jayson Swain and Bret Smith. Meachem, however, redshirted the 2003 season after suffering a knee injury in preseason practice.
Meachem caught 25 passes for 459 in 2004 as a redshirt freshman. He returned to play in all 13 games (no starts) and led the team with 459 yards on 25 catches (18.4 average) and four touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Robert Meachem 2004 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/robert-meachem-1/gamelog/2004 |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2004 Tennessee Volunteers Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/2004.html |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Meachem was the only Vols receiver with 100 yards in a game that year. Meachem's first career reception occurred in the game against UNLV, which was a 35-yard touchdown.
Meachem appeared in all 11 games in 2005, with two starts, and again led the team in receiving yards with 383 on 29 catches (13.2 average) and two touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Robert Meachem 2005 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/robert-meachem-1/gamelog/2005 |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
2006 was Meachem's breakout year. Along with David Cutcliffe's return to Tennessee as offensive coordinator in 2006, Meachem, Swain and quarterback Erik Ainge all turned in career seasons. In the November 25 game against Kentucky, Meachem had 116 receiving yards, pushing his total to a new school record of 1,265 yards in a single season. Meachem also totaled 11 scores, a career best. He also had six 100-yard games that season.{{Cite web |title=Robert Meachem 2006 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/robert-meachem-1/gamelog/2006 |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} He ranked fourth in the nation with an average of 99.85 yards per game receiving and ranked 24th nationally with 5.46 receptions per game. He led the team with a career-high 71 catches for a school single-season record 1,298 yards (18.3 avg) to lead the SEC, including 11 touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=2006 Southeastern Conference Leaders |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/sec/2006-leaders.html |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} He recorded two solo tackles, gained 16 yards on a kickoff return and 12 yards on a punt return. In 37 games at Tennessee, Meachem started 15 times. He caught 125 passes and became the sixth player in school history to gain more than 2,000 yards receiving, totaling 2,140 yards (17.1 avg) with 17 touchdowns. All this earned him an all SEC, consensus All-American selections. Meachem decided to forgo his senior season and enter the 2007 NFL draft.{{Cite web |date=January 6, 2007 |title=Vols standout WR Meachem reportedly to enter draft |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=2721750 |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2
| weight = 214
| dash = 4.41
| ten split = 1.49
| twenty split = 2.52
| shuttle = 4.19
| cone drill = 6.97
| vertical = 37.5
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 8
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 32 1/4
| hand span = 9 3/8
| note = All values taken from NFL Scouting Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/glenn-gronkowski/32004752-4f13-3541-2ad9-5542f97f9d4f |title= Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=July 26, 2017}}{{Cite web |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=17473&DraftYear=2007 |title=2007 NFL Draft Scout Robert Meachem College Football Profile |access-date=July 6, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
=New Orleans Saints (first stint)=
With the 27th pick in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft, Meachem was selected by the New Orleans Saints.{{Cite web |title=2007 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2007/draft.htm |access-date=May 10, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Meachem signed a five-year deal worth $11.3 million in base salary and incentives with $5.71 million guaranteed.{{cite web|last=Dubenetzky|first=Jim|date=July 24, 2007|title=Meachem signs five-year deal with Saints|url=http://www.saintsgab.com/2007/07/24/meachem-signs-five-year-deal-with-saints/|publisher=SaintsGab.com|access-date=April 18, 2014}} However, Meachem underwent knee surgery and was unable to play in his rookie season.{{Cite web |last=Martel |first=Brett |date=July 30, 2008 |title=After lost rookie season, Meachem shows promise |url=https://www.houmatoday.com/story/news/2008/07/30/after-lost-rookie-season-meachem-shows-promise/26778020007/ |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=The Courier|agency=Associated Press |language=en-US}}
Meachem was once again inactive for the Saints' opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008. On September 14, 2008, Meachem caught his first pass in the NFL, a 19-yard touchdown pass against the Washington Redskins.{{Cite web |title=Robert Meachem Career Touchdown Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MeacRo00/touchdowns/ |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
File:Robert Meachem at Super Bowl XLIV victory parade.jpg victory parade in Downtown New Orleans]]
In week 4 against the San Francisco 49ers, Meachem got the chance to see more game time when number 1 receiver Marques Colston was sidelined with a broken thumb. In this game, Meachem had only 2 receptions, his first a 47-yard touchdown grab, his second a 52-yard flea flicker catch with a defender draped all over him.
Meachem ended week 4 with 2 receptions for 99 yards and the Saints got the win over the 49ers.{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints – September 28th, 2008 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200809280nor.htm |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Meachem finished the season with 12 receptions for 289 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also had a 24.1 yards per catch.{{Cite web |title=Robert Meachem 2008 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MeacRo00/gamelog/2008/ |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
On December 6, 2009, after Kareem Moore of the Redskins intercepted Drew Brees, Meachem tore the ball out of Moore's grasp and ran it for a touchdown. In the same game, Meachem caught a 53-yard touchdown pass with 1:19 left in regulation, tying the game at 30. The Saints won, 33–30, in overtime to improve to 12–0. He had a career-high 142 receiving yards in the game.{{Cite web |title=New Orleans Saints at Washington Redskins – December 6th, 2009 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200912060was.htm |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/FantasySourceBlitz/entry/view/46659/meachems_heroics_help_saints_stay_perfect |title=NASCAR |publisher=Sporting News |date=September 5, 2012 |access-date=September 11, 2012}} The 2009 Saints went on to win Super Bowl XLIV.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XLIV – New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts – February 7th, 2010 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201002070clt.htm |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
In the 2010 season, Meachem had 44 receptions for 638 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games and seven starts.{{Cite web |title=Robert Meachem 2010 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MeacRo00/gamelog/2010/ |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Meachem remained with the Saints through the 2011 season. In Week 13 of the 2011 season, he had three receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown against the Lions.{{Cite web |title=Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints – December 4th, 2011 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201112040nor.htm |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} During his five years with the team he had 141 regular-season catches for 2,269 yards and 23 touchdowns; he also played in six playoff games and had 14 receptions for 184 yards and a touchdown.{{cite news | title = New Orleans Saints sign WR Robert Meachem to a one-year contract | date = September 3, 2013 | url = http://www.neworleanssaints.com/news-and-events/article-1/New-Orleans-Saints-sign-WR-Robert-Meachem-to-a-one-year-contract/ed133c53-a6b0-4224-be9f-94dda7fc1f87 | work = NewOrleansSaints.com | access-date = September 3, 2013}}
=San Diego Chargers=
On March 13, 2012, Meachem signed a four-year contract with the San Diego Chargers worth $25.5 million including a $7.5 million signing bonus.{{Cite web |date=March 13, 2012 |title=Former Saints WR Meachem agrees to four-year Chargers deal |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/former-saints-wr-meachem-agrees-to-four-year-chargers-deal-09000d5d8279670a |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=NFL.com}}{{cite news|last=Gehlken|first=Michael|title=Robert Meachem reaches new low|date=November 26, 2012|newspaper=U-T San Diego|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/nov/26/robert-meachem-plays-2-snaps-chargers/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121126191426/http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/nov/26/robert-meachem-plays-2-snaps-chargers/|archive-date=November 26, 2012|url-status=live}} He was part of the Chargers' plan to replace Pro Bowl receiver Vincent Jackson, who left the team as a free agent. Meachem caught two touchdowns in a 2012 matchup with New Orleans, but he dropped a potential touchdown in a 7–6 loss to the Cleveland Browns. His time with the Chargers was disappointing, as he underperformed the high expectations reflected in his large contract, and was compared to a previous Chargers free agent "bust", David Boston. Kevin Acee of UT-San Diego called him "the worst free agent acquisition in the history of the Chargers".{{cite news | first = Kevin | last = Acee | title = Meachem story: no start, finished early | date = August 29, 2013 | url = http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/aug/29/meachem-finished-chargers-49ers-acee/ | work = U-T San Diego | access-date = September 3, 2013}} On September 1, 2013, the Chargers released Meachem during final roster cuts, even though they had guaranteed him $5 million for the upcoming 2013 season.{{Cite web |date=August 31, 2013 |title=Chargers release Meachem, who's due $5M |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/9620783/san-diego-chargers-release-robert-meachem |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}
=New Orleans Saints (second stint)=
On September 3, 2013, Meachem signed a one-year contract to return to the Saints. In the 2013 season, he recorded 16 receptions, 324 yards, and two touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Robert Meachem 2013 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MeacRo00/gamelog/2013/ |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The Saints signed him to another one-year contract on April 18, 2014.{{Cite web |last=Sessler |first=Marc |date=April 18, 2014 |title=Robert Meachem re-signs with New Orleans Saints |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/robert-meachem-re-signs-with-new-orleans-saints-0ap2000000342233 |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}} Meachem was among the last cuts made by the Saints before the 2014 season. However, a few days later, he re-signed with the team, on September 3, 2014, after rookie Khairi Fortt was placed on short-term injured reserve.{{Cite web |last=Yellin |first=Lyons |date=September 3, 2014 |title=New Orleans Saints re-sign WR Robert Meachem |url=https://www.houmatoday.com/story/news/2014/09/03/new-orleans-saints-re-sign-wr-robert-meachem/27116960007/ |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=The Courier |language=en-US}} He finished the 2014 season with seven receptions for 114 yards in 11 games and two starts.{{Cite web |title=Robert Meachem 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MeacRo00/gamelog/2014/ |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} His contract expired after the 2014 season and he did not re-sign, making him a free agent. He missed the entire 2015 season as a free agent.
On June 14, 2016, he tried out for the Saints at minicamp wearing the number 12 on his jersey. It was last worn by Marques Colston for 10 years. The tryout was put on hold the following day as Meachem had a foot injury and didn't practice.{{Cite web |last=Terrell |first=Katherine |date=June 15, 2016 |title=Robert Meachem doesn't practice Wednesday with foot issue; tryout still ongoing |url=https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/robert-meachem-doesnt-practice-wednesday-with-foot-issue-tryout-still-ongoing/article_d77160dd-4273-5d4d-b150-01eb6906b83e.html |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=NOLA.com |language=en}}
=Richmond Roughriders=
Meachem signed with the Richmond Roughriders of the American Arena League in 2018.{{cite web | url=https://www.facebook.com/richmondroughriders/posts/468444056911102 | title=Meachem Catching Fire Just In Time For AAL Playoffs | publisher=Richmond Roughriders | date=June 6, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613013804/https://www.facebook.com/richmondroughriders/posts/468444056911102 | access-date=June 12, 2018| archive-date=June 13, 2018 }}
=NFL statistics=
| class="wikitable" | |||||||||||
| Year | Team | Games | Receptions | Targets | Yards | Yards per reception | Longest reception | Touchdowns | First downs | Fumbles | Fumbles lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | NO | 14 | 12 | 20 | 289 | 24.1 | 74 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | NO | 16 | 45 | 64 | 722 | 16.0 | 54 | 9 | 30 | 2 | 1 |
| 2010 | NO | 16 | 44 | 66 | 638 | 14.5 | 55 | 5 | 27 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | NO | 16 | 40 | 61 | 620 | 15.5 | 67 | 6 | 29 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | SD | 15 | 14 | 32 | 207 | 14.8 | 46 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | NO | 15 | 16 | 30 | 324 | 20.3 | 60 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | NO | 11 | 7 | 20 | 114 | 16.3 | 25 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MeacRo00.htm Career] | 103 | 178 | 293 | 2,914 | 16.4 | 74 | 27 | 118 | 2 | 1 |
Personal life
Meachem was a contestant on NBC's Minute to Win It in an online exclusive episode playing to win money for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater New Orleans.{{Cite web |date=August 19, 2010 |title=Breaking News – NBC's 'Minute to Win It' to Air Special NFL Themed Episodes September 7 & 8 Leading Up to NBC's NFL Kickoff on September 9 |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2010/08/19/nbcs-minute-to-win-it-to-air-special-nfl-themed-episodes-september-7-and-8-leading-up-to-nbcs-nfl-kickoff-on-september-9-37062/20100819nbc01/ |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=TheFutonCritic.com}}
Meachem created the Robert Emery Meachem Follow Your Dreams Foundation to help American youth. Its first goal is to supply books to at least 200 kids ages 4 to 17 in north Tulsa.{{Cite web |last=Eaton |first=Kristi |last2=Holton Dean |first2=Anna |date=August 22, 2011 |title=The road to fame |url=https://www.tulsapeople.com/archives/the-road-to-fame/article_ef7cfa7d-d2c2-5585-b867-33fff3c6d672.html |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=TulsaPeople Magazine |language=en}}
On February 14, 2017, Meachem was jailed for 30 days for having more than $400,000 in unpaid child support.{{Cite web |last=Vargas |first=Ramon Antonio |date=February 14, 2017 |title=Former Saints player Robert Meachem has been jailed over unpaid child support, alimony |url=https://www.nola.com/news/courts/former-saints-player-robert-meachem-has-been-jailed-over-unpaid-child-support-alimony/article_991653e3-77da-510f-9353-0bd320d7a496.html |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=NOLA.com |language=en}}
In 2018, Meachem was a player in Your Call Football, an interactive game where in real time, participants call plays live for players which include former professional football players.{{Cite web |last=Rankin |first=Duane |date=May 3, 2018 |title=Humphries part of 'real-life Madden' league |url=https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/rankinfile/2018/05/03/qb-kd-humphries-real-life-madden-league-your-call-football-has-fans-pick-plays/577641002/ |access-date=March 10, 2024 |website=Montgomery Advertiser |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Blondin |first=Alan |date=May 26, 2018 |title=Former Coastal Carolina All-American joins another Canadian Football League team |url=https://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports/college/sun-belt/coastal-carolina-university/article211992589.html |access-date=October 31, 2018 |website=Myrtle Beach Sun News}}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- [https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/robert-meachem/14688 Tennessee Volunteers bio]
- {{commons category-inline}}
{{2007 NFL Draft}}
{{SaintsFirstPick}}
{{Saints2007DraftPicks}}
{{Super Bowl XLIV}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Meachem, Robert}}
Category:Players of American football from Tulsa, Oklahoma
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Booker T. Washington High School (Tulsa, Oklahoma) alumni
Category:Tennessee Volunteers football players
Category:New Orleans Saints players
Category:San Diego Chargers players
Category:Richmond Roughriders players
Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen
Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen