Jacob Tamme

Jacob Tamme
refer to caption
Tamme with the Denver Broncos in 2014
No. 84, 83
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1985-03-15) March 15, 1985 (age 39)
Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school:Boyle County (Danville, Kentucky)
College:Kentucky (2003–2007)
NFL draft:2008 / round: 4 / pick: 127
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:259
Receiving yards:2,570
Receiving average:9.9
Receiving touchdowns:14
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Jacob Francis Tamme (/ˈtæmi/ TAM-ee; born March 15, 1985) is an American former professional football tight end. He played college football at Kentucky and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL draft.

Tamme also played for the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons.

Early life

Tamme graduated from Boyle County High School in Danville, Kentucky, where he was a multi-sport star in football, baseball, and basketball.[1][2]

He was a four-year letterman and three-year starter at wide receiver and cornerback for Boyle County, who won four consecutive state championships, two in Class AA and two in Class AAA, and had a 58–2 record over those seasons. He was a first-team all-state selection as a senior by the Associated Press and Louisville's The Courier-Journal when he caught 46 passes for 797 yards, a 17.3-yard average, and 13 touchdowns. In addition, he was a finalist for the Kentucky "Mr. Football" Award, given to the top performer in high school football.[2]

His career totals include 97 receptions for 1,866 yards, a 19.2-yard average, and 32 touchdowns. On defense, he intercepted 23 passes, including two returns for touchdowns. As a kick returner, he took 25 punts for 395 yards, a 15.8-yard average, and two touchdowns.[2]

College career

As a redshirt freshman, he played in all 11 games for the Kentucky Wildcats. He started three games at wide receiver before moving to his more natural position of tight end for the season-ending game at Tennessee, where he had two touchdowns.[3] For the season, he had 16 catches for 161 yards.[4] He was also named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll for excellent work in the classroom.[5]

As a redshirt sophomore, he played in all 11 games, starting 10. He was second on the team in pass receptions with 29 catches for 253 yards and one touchdown.[6][7] On special teams, he blocked punts against Louisville and Florida. He also earned a slot on the SEC Academic Honor Roll for the second straight year.[5]

As a redshirt junior, he was voted to the All-SEC first-team by the SEC coaches and the Associated Press.[8] He led SEC tight ends in receptions with 32, netting 386 receiving yards and two touchdowns.[9] He made the SEC Academic Honor Roll for the third year in a row.[5]

As a redshirt senior, he had 56 receptions for 619 yards and six touchdowns.[10] For the second year in a row, he earned first-team All-SEC honors from both the Associated Press (unanimous decision) and coaches polls.[11]

Tamme finished his career as Kentucky's all-time top pass-catching tight end and second in the history of all SEC tight ends with 133 catches for 1,417 yards.[2]

Accolades

As one of the top scholar-athletes in the country, Tamme completed his degree in integrated strategic communications in only three years and earned his MBA just before entering the NFL.[citation needed]

Known for his contributions back to the community, in 2006, he was named to the National Good Works Team by the American Football Coaches Association, the SEC Community Service Team by the SEC Office, and to the Frank G. Ham Society of Character by UK Athletics.[12][13][14]

In 2007, he was one of 15 finalists for the prestigious Draddy Trophy, which is presented to the top scholar athlete in the country.[15] He gave the acceptance speech on behalf of the 15 finalists at the award ceremony in New York City.

Also in 2007, he was named the SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year and elected to the first-team Academic All-America squad by the College Sports Information Directors of America.[16]

He was the 2007 recipient of the Bobby Bowden Award, a national honor presented by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.[17]

Tamme was inducted in 2018 to the University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame.[18]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 3+1⁄2 in
(1.92 m) 		236 lb
(107 kg) 		33+1⁄8 in
(0.84 m) 		9 in
(0.23 m)		 4.58 s 1.56 s 2.62 s 4.27 s 6.99 s 30 in
(0.76 m)		 9 ft 1 in
(2.77 m)		 18 reps
All values from NFL Combine[19][20]

Indianapolis Colts

Tamme in the 2010 NFL season.

The Indianapolis Colts selected Tamme in the fourth round (127th overall) of the 2008 NFL draft.[21] Tamme was the ninth tight end drafted in 2008.[22] He and the Colts agreed to a 4-year contract with undisclosed terms on July 23, 2008.[23]

2008 season

As a rookie in 2008, Tamme appeared in 12 games and had three receptions for 12 receiving yards.[24]

2009 season

In 2009, Tamme appeared in all 16 games and started one. He totaled three receptions for 35 receiving yards.[25] He played in Super Bowl XLIV but lost to the New Orleans Saints 31–17.[26]

2010 season

After Week 7 of the 2010 season, Dallas Clark was placed on Injured Reserve after an injury to the wrist and Tamme took over as the starting tight end.[27] In Week 9, against the Philadelphia Eagles, he had 11 receptions for 108 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in the 26–24 loss.[28] Tamme finished the season with a career-high 67 receptions for 631 yards and four touchdowns.[29]

2011 season

Tamme's numbers declined in 2011 with the absence of Peyton Manning. He finished the year with 19 receptions for 177 receiving yards and a touchdown.[30]

Denver Broncos

Tamme signed for three years and $9 million with the Denver Broncos on March 23, 2012.[31] His contract included $3.5 million in guaranteed money.[32]

2012 season

Tamme improved much in the 2012 year as Peyton Manning signed for the Broncos.[33] Tamme finished the 2012 year with 52 receptions for 555 receiving yards and two touchdowns.[34]

2013 season

Tamme was part of a Broncos offense that was franchise-setting, becoming the first time an NFL team scored over 600 points in 16 regular season games that year.[35][36] For the 2013 year, Tamme produced 184 receiving yards and two touchdowns.[37]

Tamme scored a receiving touchdown in the AFC Championship victory over the New England Patriots.[38] In the Super Bowl, Tamme had two catches for nine yards, but lost 43–8 to the Seattle Seahawks.[39]

2014 season

Tamme played in 15 games and had 14 receptions for 109 yards and two touchdowns.[40]

Atlanta Falcons

2015 season

Tamme signed with the Atlanta Falcons on March 19, 2015.[41] In Week 8, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he had ten receptions for 103 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.[42] He finished the season with 59 catches for a career-high 657 yards and one touchdown.[43]

2016 season

Tamme was placed on injured reserve on November 21, 2016, after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.[44] He finished the 2016 season with 22 receptions for 210 receiving yards and three touchdowns in eight games.[45]

Retirement

On November 23, 2017, Tamme announced his retirement from the NFL.[46]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Tgt Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2008 IND 12 0 5 3 12 4.0 6 0
2009 IND 16 1 10 3 35 11.7 21 0
2010 IND 16 8 93 67 631 9.4 30 4
2011 IND 16 5 31 19 177 9.3 29 1
2012 DEN 16 8 85 52 555 10.7 36 2
2013 DEN 16 1 25 20 184 9.2 15 1
2014 DEN 15 0 28 14 109 7.8 26 2
2015 ATL 15 8 81 59 657 11.1 41 1
2016 ATL 8 5 31 22 210 9.5 19 3
130 36 389 259 2,570 9.9 41 14

Playoffs

Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Tgt Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2008 IND 1 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
2009 IND 3 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
2010 IND 1 1 8 5 46 9.2 15 0
2012 DEN 1 0 3 3 44 14.7 21 0
2013 DEN 3 0 4 4 33 8.3 23 1
2014 DEN 1 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
10 1 15 12 123 10.3 23 1

Personal life

Tamme is a Christian. He has spoken about his faith saying, "My faith is important because it's the core of why I believe we exist as humans. Faith allows us to spend an eternity with God and it fuels my every day actions. I've seen how having faith in God can change lives and it certainly has changed mine."[47]

References

  1. ^ "Tamme enjoying life in Boyle County". The Advocate-Messenger. October 11, 2017. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d "Colts.com: Jacob Tamme – Tight End". Indianapolis Colts. Archived from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved October 13, 2009.
  3. ^ "Kentucky at Tennessee Box Score, November 27, 2004". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  4. ^ "Jacob Tamme 2004 Game Log". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on July 23, 2017. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c "Jacob Tamme (2007) - Hall of Fame". National Football Foundation. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  6. ^ "2005 Kentucky Wildcats Stats". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  7. ^ "Jacob Tamme 2005 Game Log". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on July 23, 2017. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  8. ^ "2006 Associated Press All-SEC football team". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 5, 2006. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  9. ^ "Jacob Tamme 2006 Game Log". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on July 23, 2017. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  10. ^ "Jacob Tamme 2007 Game Log". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on July 23, 2017. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  11. ^ May, Matt (July 19, 2007). "Woodson, Tamme top Coaches All-SEC". CatsIllustrated. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  12. ^ Richardson, Ryan (August 4, 2021). "Former UK great, NFL tight end Tamme to speak at Steak & Burger Dinner". The Owensboro Times. Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  13. ^ "Tamme Named to SEC Community Service Team". UK Athletics. November 21, 2006. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  14. ^ "Frank G. Ham Society of Character". UK Athletics. June 17, 2022. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  15. ^ Jones, Matt (December 3, 2007). "Jacob Tamme Finalist for National Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award". On3. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  16. ^ "Hall of Fame 2018 – Jacob Tamme". UK Athletics. September 22, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  17. ^ "Tamme Wins Bobby Bowden Award". UK Athletics. January 4, 2008. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  18. ^ Gershon, Aaron (September 21, 2018). "Jacob Tamme talks UK Hall Of Fame induction and 2018 Wildcats". A Sea Of Blue. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  19. ^ "Jacob Tamme Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  20. ^ "Jacob Tamme, DS #10 TE, Kentucky". DraftScout.com. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  21. ^ "2008 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 3, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  22. ^ Wells, Brad (April 27, 2008). "2008 NFL Draft: Colts select TE Jacob Tamme at pick #127". Stampede Blue. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  23. ^ "Colts scramble to sign draft picks before camp". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 23, 2008. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  24. ^ "Jacob Tamme 2008 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 15, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  25. ^ "Jacob Tamme 2009 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 15, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  26. ^ "Super Bowl XLIV: Saints slip past Colts 31–17 for 1st Super Bowl title". Boston Herald. Associated Press. January 16, 2016. Archived from the original on January 27, 2016.
  27. ^ "NFL: Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowl tight end Dallas Clark placed on IR". The Mercury News. Associated Press. October 22, 2010. Archived from the original on May 3, 2017. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  28. ^ "Indianapolis Colts at Philadelphia Eagles - November 7th, 2010". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  29. ^ "Jacob Tamme 2010 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 15, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  30. ^ "Jacob Tamme 2011 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 15, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  31. ^ "Broncos sign Jacob Tamme". Archived from the original on March 25, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
  32. ^ "Jacob Tamme – Unsigned Free Agent – news and analysis, statistics, game logs, depth charts, contracts, injuries". Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  33. ^ Florio, Mike (March 20, 2012). "Manning's deal is done: five years, $96 million". ProFootballTalk. Archived from the original on December 28, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  34. ^ "Jacob Tamme 2012 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 15, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  35. ^ Legwold, Jeff (December 31, 2013). "Broncos Rewind: Offense". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  36. ^ "2013 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 18, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  37. ^ "Jacob Tamme 2013 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 15, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  38. ^ "AFC Championship - New England Patriots at Denver Broncos - January 19th, 2014". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 15, 2017. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  39. ^ "Super Bowl XLVIII – Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos – February 2nd, 2014". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  40. ^ "Jacob Tamme 2014 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 15, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  41. ^ Adams, Jay (March 19, 2015). "FALCONS ADD FORMER BRONCOS TE TO ROSTER". AtlantaFalcons.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  42. ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – November 1st, 2015". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 14, 2017. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  43. ^ "Jacob Tamme 2015 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 15, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  44. ^ "Falcons' Jacob Tamme: Heads to IR". CBSSports.com. November 21, 2016. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  45. ^ "Jacob Tamme 2016 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  46. ^ Bergman, Jeremy (November 23, 2017). "Jacob Tamme announces retirement after 9 seasons". NFL.com. Archived from the original on November 24, 2017. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  47. ^ "Faith, Family, & Football". NFL Player Engagement. September 28, 2012. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
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