Brian Finneran is a former American football player who played as a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He was born on January 31, 1976, in Norwood, Massachusetts, and attended Villanova University, where he played college football.
Finneran began his professional football career in 1998 when he signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent. However, he was released before the start of the regular season and joined the Frankfurt Galaxy of the NFL Europe league. He played for the Galaxy for two seasons and helped them win the World Bowl in 1999.
In 2000, Finneran signed with the Atlanta Falcons, where he played for the next nine seasons. He quickly became a fan favorite due to his work ethic and his ability to make clutch catches. Finneran was known for his size (6'5") and his excellent hands, which made him a reliable target for quarterbacks.
During his time with the Falcons, Finneran played in 121 games and caught 238 passes for 3,293 yards and 19 touchdowns. He was also a valuable contributor on special teams, where he returned punts and kickoffs.
Finneran's best season came in 2002 when he caught 56 passes for 838 yards and six touchdowns. He helped the Falcons reach the playoffs that year, where they defeated the Green Bay Packers in the first round before losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round.
Injuries plagued Finneran's career, and he missed the entire 2006 season due to a knee injury. However, he bounced back in 2007 and had a solid season, catching 50 passes for 611 yards and three touchdowns.
Finneran's last season in the NFL was in 2010, where he played in 11 games and caught 19 passes for 166 yards and one touchdown. He was released by the Falcons after the season and retired from football.
After retiring from football, Finneran became a radio host and analyst for 680 The Fan in Atlanta. He also started his own business, Finneran's Finders, which helps people find and purchase luxury homes.
In conclusion, Brian Finneran had a successful football career, despite going undrafted and facing injuries throughout his career. He was a reliable receiver and a valuable contributor on special teams, and he will always be remembered as a fan favorite in Atlanta.
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