Terry Fair
{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1976)}}
{{about|the football coach and former player|the former basketball player|Terry Fair (basketball)}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Terry Fair
| image =
| caption =
| current_team =
| number = 23, 28, 30
| position = Cornerback
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1976|07|20}}
| birth_place = Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 10
| weight_lbs = 191
| death_date =
| draftyear = 1998
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 20
| high_school = South Mountain (AZ)
| college = Tennessee
| pastteams =
- Detroit Lions ({{nfly|1998}}–{{nfly|2001}})
- Carolina Panthers ({{nfly|2002}})
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{nfly|2004}})*
- St. Louis Rams ({{nfly|2005}})
| pastcoaching =
- Tennessee (2013–2014)
Graduate assistant - Colorado State (2015–2017)
Defensive backs coach - Tennessee (2018)
Defensive backs coach
| statlabel1 = Tackles
| statvalue1 = 215
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 1.0
| statlabel3 = Interceptions
| statvalue3 = 7
| pfr = FairTe20
| highlights =
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (1998)
- 2× First-team All-SEC (1996, 1997)
}}
Terrance Delon Fair (born July 20, 1976) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). A first round pick in the 1998 NFL draft, he played from 1998 to 2005.{{Cite news |date=January 23, 2004 |title=Steelers sign injury-prone Terry Fair |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1988&dat=20040123&id=ykgiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=C60FAAAAIBAJ&pg=6565,1750378&hl=en |access-date=February 11, 2016 |work=Argus-Press|agency=Associated Press|via=Google News |page=11}} He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers.
After his NFL career, Fair spent three seasons on the coaching staff at Phoenix College, and co-hosted The Drive, a sports talk show in Knoxville. He joined the Tennessee coaching staff as a graduate assistant under Butch Jones in 2013. He worked as cornerbacks coach under Mike Bobo at Colorado State from 2015 to 2017.[http://www.csurams.com/staff.aspx?staff=232 Terry Fair] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209044025/http://www.csurams.com/staff.aspx?staff=232 |date=December 9, 2017 }}, profile at CSURams.com. Accessed December 8, 2017.
High school
Fair played high school football at South Mountain High School in his native Phoenix, Arizona. He played primarily at running back and defensive back, but occasionally lined up at quarterback and wide receiver. During his senior season in 1993, he rushed for 1,475 yards and 28 touchdowns on 172 carries, and tallied over 3,000 yards during his career as a three-year starter. He was named to the high school All-American teams of Super Prep and Blue Chip. Along with football, Fair also played for the basketball team, and competed in the high jump in track and field.[http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=718&pg=93 1994 Tennessee Signees] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209044425/http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=718&pg=93 |date=December 9, 2017 }}, 1994 Tennessee Volunteers Media Guide, p. 90.
College
Fair played college football at the University of Tennessee, part of the school's heralded 1994 signing class.{{Cite web |last=Bratton |first=Michael Wayne |date=May 23, 2018 |title=WATCH: Terry Fair touches on his love for Tennessee, what he looks for in DB in latest 'Field Level' video |url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/tennessee-football/watch-terry-fair-touches-love-tennessee-looks-db-latest-field-level-video/ |access-date=March 13, 2024 |website=Saturday Down South |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=February 2, 2013 |title=A recruiting map for Vols 1994-2012: Class by Class |url=http://www.knoxnews.com/sports/vols/football/a-recruiting-map-for-vols-1994-2012-class-by-class-ep-358978869-356188421.html |access-date=March 14, 2024 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel |language=en}} During his freshman season in 1994, he tallied 41 tackles, an interception, and three passes broken up, and was named to the All-SEC Freshman team. The following season, he recorded 50 tackles, two interceptions, and four passes broken up. During his junior year in 1996, he recorded 33 tackles, four interceptions, and three passes broken up, and returned 29 punts for 400 yards and two touchdowns.[http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=666&pg=20 Returning Lettermen], 1997 Tennessee Volunteers Football Media Guide, pp. 19-20. During his senior season in 1997, Fair recorded 39 tackles, five interceptions, and nine passes broken up, and returned 19 punts for 272 yards, helping the Vols win the SEC Championship.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120309144542/http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/fball-stats/f.htm Individual Football Statistics], UTSports.com, archived at the Internet Archive Wayback Machine March 9, 2012. He was named All-SEC in 1996 and 1997.{{Cite web |last=Toppmeyer |first=Blake |date=June 23, 2019 |title=What's next for former Tennessee football assistant Terry Fair? |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2019/06/23/tennessee-football-terry-fair-jeremy-pruitt-ut-vols-legends-of-tennnessee-camp-jabari-davis/1511332001/ |access-date=March 14, 2024 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel |language=en-US}}
Professional career
Fair was selected in the first round (20th overall pick) by the Detroit Lions in the 1998 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=1998 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1998/draft.htm |access-date=March 29, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} During his rookie year with the Lions, he tallied 39 tackles, including one sack, and led the NFL in kick return average with 28 yards per return.{{Cite web |title=1998 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1998/leaders.htm |access-date=March 14, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He returned two kickoffs for a touchdown, including a season-long 105-yarder against Tampa Bay on Monday Night Football.{{Cite web |title=Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers - September 6th, 1998 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199809060gnb.htm |access-date=March 13, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions - September 28th, 1998 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199809280det.htm |access-date=March 13, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} For his game against Tampa Bay, he won NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.{{Cite web |title=1998 NFL Week 4 Leaders & Scores |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1998/week_4.htm |access-date=March 14, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was named to the NFL All-Rookie team by the Sporting News and Pro Football Writers Association.{{Cite web |title=1998 NFL All-Rookie Team |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-all-rookie-1998.htm |access-date=March 14, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
During his second season in 1999, Fair recorded three interceptions, including a 41-yard pick six against Minnesota,{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions - October 17th, 1999 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199910170det.htm |access-date=March 14, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} and averaged 22.1 yards on 34 kick returns.{{Cite web |title=Terry Fair 1999 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FairTe20/gamelog/1999/ |access-date=March 13, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He won NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his game against the Vikings.{{Cite web |title=1999 NFL Week 2 Leaders & Scores |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1999/week_2.htm |access-date=March 14, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In 2000, he intercepted two passes, returned six kickoffs for 149 yards, and returned two punts for 15 yards.{{Cite web |title=Terry Fair 2000 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FairTe20/gamelog/2000/ |access-date=March 13, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In 2001, Fair registered 43 tackles and intercepted two passes, including a 26-yard pick six against Cleveland,{{Cite web |title=Detroit Lions at Cleveland Browns - September 23rd, 2001 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200109230cle.htm |access-date=March 14, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} though he struggled with a foot injury during the latter part of the season.{{Cite web |title=Terry Fair 2001 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FairTe20/gamelog/2001/ |access-date=March 13, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Chadiha |first=Jeffri |date=September 2, 2002 |title=4 Detroit Lions A reinforced defense will have to hold the line while it waits for the offense to get in gear |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/09/02/4-detroit-lions-a-reinforced-defense-will-have-to-hold-the-line-while-it-waits-for-the-offense-to-get-in-gear |access-date=March 13, 2024 |website=Sports Illustrated Vault |language=en-us}}
After being released by the Lions in 2002, Fair signed with the Carolina Panthers, but played only three games before a broken ankle ended his season{{Cite web |last=Fryer |first=Jenna |date=September 12, 2002 |title=Fair hopes to prove Lions made a mistake |url=https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/news/2002/09/12/fair-hopes-to-prove-lions-made-a-mistake/30494425007/ |access-date=March 14, 2024 |website=Wilmington Star-News|agency=Associated Press |language=en-US}} He was subsequently released by the Panthers, and spent the 2003 season recovering in Phoenix.{{Cite web |last=Bouchette |first=Ed |date=January 22, 2004 |title=Steelers sign Terry Fair to help secondary |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2004/01/23/Steelers-sign-Terry-Fair-to-help-secondary/stories/200401230087 |access-date=March 13, 2024 |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |language=en}} In 2004, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but was cut prior to the season.{{Cite web |date=August 31, 2004 |title=Terry Fair cut by Steelers |url=https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2004/08/31/Terry-Fair-cut-by-Steelers/17251093984453/ |access-date=March 13, 2024 |website=UPI |language=en}} Fair signed with the St. Louis Rams in 2005, but played in only five games due to injuries.{{Cite web |date=December 9, 2005 |title=Rams cornerback Fair placed on IR with neck injury |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2253022 |access-date=March 13, 2024 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}
Coaching
After retiring from the NFL, Fair joined the coaching staff at Phoenix College.{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Austin |date=February 8, 2019 |title=BREAKING: Tennessee assistant Terry Fair relieved of duties |url=https://tennessee.rivals.com/news/breaking-tennessee-assistant-terry-fair-relieved-of-duties |access-date=March 14, 2024 |website=Rivals.com}} Four of his players went on to join Division I programs. He also co-hosted The Drive, a sports talk radio show that aired on WNOX in Knoxville. In 2010, he obtained a degree in psychology from the University of Tennessee.{{Cite web |title=Terry Fair - Football Coach |url=https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/terry-fair/716 |access-date=March 14, 2024 |website=University of Tennessee Athletics |language=en}} In 2013, Fair joined Butch Jones's staff at Tennessee as a defensive quality control assistant.{{Cite web |last=Bernreuter |first=Hugh |date=January 8, 2013 |title=Former Detroit Lion Terry Fair joins Butch Jones' football coaching staff at Tennessee |url=https://www.mlive.com/chippewas/2013/01/former_detroit_lion_terry_fair.html |access-date=March 13, 2024 |website=mlive.com |language=en}} Fair served as the cornerbacks coach on the staff of Mike Bobo at Colorado State from 2015 to 2017.
In December 2017, Fair returned to his alma mater, the University of Tennessee, joining the staff of newly hired head coach Jeremy Pruitt.{{Cite web |date=December 7, 2017 |title=Pruitt makes first staffing picks |url=https://www.wvlt.tv/content/news/Pruitt-makes-first-staffing-picks-462608313.html |access-date=February 10, 2024 |website=WVLT |language=en}} On February 8, 2019, Tennessee parted ways with Fair.{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Terry A. |date=February 8, 2019 |title=Report: Tennessee parting ways with defensive backs coach Terry Fair |url=https://www.rockytoptalk.com/2019/2/8/18217369/tennessee-vols-football-parting-ways-with-defensive-backs-coach-terry-fair-jeremy-pruitt |access-date=February 10, 2024 |website=Rocky Top Talk|publisher=SB Nation |language=en}}
Personal
Fair and his wife, Sherlone, have three children together, Herandre, Delan, and Ariyah. His uncle Fred Carr played in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers.{{Cite web |last=Obert |first=Richard |date=February 20, 2018 |title=Fred Carr, former Green Bay Packers, Phoenix College, Phoenix Union standout, dies at 71 |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/high-school/2018/02/20/ex-green-bay-packers-great-fred-carr-dies-71-left-legacy-south-phoenix/356969002/ |access-date=March 14, 2024 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/terry-fair/716 Tennessee Volunteers coaching bio]
{{1998 NFL Draft}}
{{Lions1998DraftPicks}}
{{LionsFirstPick}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fair, Terry}}
Category:American football cornerbacks
Category:American football return specialists
Category:Tennessee Volunteers football players
Category:Tennessee Volunteers football coaches
Category:Detroit Lions players
Category:Carolina Panthers players
Category:St. Louis Rams players