Daunte Culpepper is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for over a decade. He was born on January 28, 1977, in Ocala, Florida, and attended the University of Central Florida, where he played college football.
Culpepper was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He spent the first six seasons of his career with the Vikings, where he established himself as one of the league's top quarterbacks. In 2000, he led the Vikings to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth, throwing for 3,937 yards and 33 touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl that season, the first of three Pro Bowl selections in his career.
Culpepper's best season came in 2004, when he threw for 4,717 yards and 39 touchdowns, leading the Vikings to a 8-8 record. He was named First-Team All-Pro that season and finished second in the NFL MVP voting. Culpepper's success on the field earned him a 10-year, $102 million contract extension from the Vikings in 2003, making him one of the highest-paid players in the league at the time.
After six seasons with the Vikings, Culpepper was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2006. He struggled in his first season with the Dolphins, throwing for just 1,331 yards and six touchdowns in four games before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Culpepper was released by the Dolphins in 2007 and signed with the Oakland Raiders, where he played for one season before being released again.
Culpepper's final season in the NFL came in 2008, when he signed with the Detroit Lions. He started five games for the Lions, throwing for 1,658 yards and four touchdowns before being benched in favor of rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Overall, Culpepper had a successful career in the NFL, throwing for 24,153 yards and 149 touchdowns in 11 seasons. He was known for his strong arm and ability to make plays with his legs, rushing for 2,476 yards and 34 touchdowns in his career. Despite his success on the field, Culpepper's career was marred by injuries, including a serious knee injury in 2005 that limited his effectiveness in later seasons.
Since retiring from the NFL, Culpepper has remained involved in football, working as a high school football coach and serving as a commentator for college football games. He has also been involved in various business ventures, including real estate and a restaurant chain.
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