Bob Christian was a former American football fullback who played for the Atlanta Falcons for eight seasons. He was born on May 14, 1971, in Peoria, Illinois, and attended Northwestern University, where he played college football.
Christian was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 1995. He quickly established himself as a reliable fullback and special teams player, earning a spot on the All-Rookie team in his first season. Over the course of his career, Christian played in 108 games, starting in 47 of them. He rushed for 1,008 yards and 14 touchdowns, and caught 168 passes for 1,409 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Christian was known for his versatility and toughness on the field. He was a reliable blocker and a dependable receiver out of the backfield. He was also a standout special teams player, making numerous tackles and blocking several kicks throughout his career.
Christian's best season came in 1998, when he rushed for 448 yards and 6 touchdowns, and caught 46 passes for 432 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl that year, and was also named the Falcons' Offensive Player of the Year.
Christian's career was cut short by injuries. He suffered a torn ACL in 2000, which caused him to miss the entire season. He returned in 2001, but suffered another knee injury that limited his playing time. He retired from football in 2002 at the age of 31.
After retiring from football, Christian became a high school football coach in Georgia. He also worked as a color commentator for college football games on ESPN.
In conclusion, Bob Christian was a versatile and tough fullback who played for the Atlanta Falcons for eight seasons. He was known for his blocking, receiving, and special teams play, and was named to the Pro Bowl in 1998. His career was cut short by injuries, but he went on to become a successful high school football coach and broadcaster.
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