Richard Seals

Richard Seals
No. 94, 76
Position:Offensive line
Defensive line
Personal information
Born: (1976-03-18) March 18, 1976 (age 48)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:305 lb (138 kg)
Career information
High school:Madison
(Houston, Texas)
College:Utah (1995–1999)
NFL draft:2000 / round: 7 / pick: 218
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career Arena League statistics
Total tackles:8
Pass break-ups:2
Stats at ArenaFan.com

Richard Anthony Seals (born March 18, 1976) is an American former professional football defensive tackle. He played college football at Utah. He was selected by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2000 NFL draft.

In his career, he also played for the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe, the Buffalo Bills of the NFL, and the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League (AFL).

Early years

Seals attended James Madison High School in Houston, Texas. Seals joined the high school football team in tenth grade as a tight end.[1] As a senior he recorded 21 receptions for 520 yards. Besides Utah, he was also recruited by Minnesota, Syracuse and Texas A&M.[2]

As a freshman, in 1996, Seals started the season as a back-up tight end. On September 18, he was switched to defensive tackle and 10 days later started against Kansas.[1]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2 in
(1.88 m) 		316 lb
(143 kg) 		5.03 s 1.74 s 2.96 s 4.60 s 7.78 s 28+1⁄2 in
(0.72 m)		 8 ft 6 in
(2.59 m)		 24 reps
All values from the 2000 NFL Combine.[3]

Seals was selected in the seventh round (218th overall) of the 2000 NFL draft by the New York Jets. On May 18, 2000, he signed his rookie contract.[4] After being released by the Jets, he changed teams multiple times, spending time with the Frankfurt Galaxy for the 2001 season. Then spending the 2002, 2003, and part of the 2004 seasons with the Buffalo Bills. On November 1, 2005, he was signed by the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League,[5] where he appeared in eight games over the 2005 and 2006 seasons.

Personal life

In 2016, Seals filed a lawsuit against the NCAA and the Western Athletic Conference claiming the failed to protect athletes from concussions. In the suit, he claimed he had numerous concussions at practice and in. As a result, he suffers from deficient cognitive and reasoning skills, memory loss, sleeplessness and mood swings.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b Sorensen, Mike (October 2, 1996). "SEALS HANDLES SWITCH FROM OFFENSE TO DEFENSE". Deseret News. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  2. ^ Robinson, Doug (January 21, 1994). "2 Prep Gridders Say They'll Play for The Utes". Deseret News. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  3. ^ "Richard Seals Draft Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  4. ^ "PLUS: PRO FOOTBALL; Jets Sign Draft Pick". NYTimes.com. May 18, 2000. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  5. ^ "Los Angeles Avengers Transactions". ArenaFan.com. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  6. ^ Romboy, Dennis (May 17, 2016). "Former U. football player sues NCAA, WAC over concussions". Deseret News. Retrieved February 23, 2024.