Jabar Gaffney

Derrick Jabar Gaffney (born December 1, 1980) is an American former college and professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for eleven seasons. He played college football for the University of Florida, and was recognized as a consensus All-American. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft, and also played for the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins.

Early years

Gaffney was born in San Antonio, Texas. He attended William M. Raines High School in Jacksonville, Florida, and was a letterman for the Raines Vikings high school football team. In football, he was a two-year starter as a wide receiver, and as a junior in 1997, he caught the game-winning, fourth-quarter touchdown pass in the state championship game.

College career

Gaffney accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Steve Spurrier's Florida Gators football team in 2000 and 2001. The Gators coaching staff decided to redshirt him as true freshman in 1999. Gaffney became a prolific pass-catcher as a first-year starter for the Gators in 2000, and made the game-winning touchdown catch with fourteen seconds remaining to defeat the Tennessee Volunteers 27–23—a game that ultimately decided the 2000 winner of the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Gaffney amassed 1,184 receiving yards and fourteen touchdown receptions in 2000, and another 1,191 and thirteen touchdowns in 2001.