Jerricho Cotchery is a former American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for over a decade. He was born on June 16, 1982, in Birmingham, Alabama, and attended Phillips High School in Birmingham, where he played football and basketball.
Cotchery played college football at North Carolina State University, where he was a standout wide receiver. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft and spent his first seven seasons with the team. During his time with the Jets, Cotchery established himself as a reliable receiver and a fan favorite. He had his best season in 2007, when he caught 82 passes for 1,130 yards and two touchdowns.
In 2011, Cotchery signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he played for three seasons. He was a key contributor to the team's offense, particularly in the red zone, where he was known for his ability to make tough catches. In 2013, he had a career-high 10 touchdown receptions.
After his time with the Steelers, Cotchery signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2014. He played two seasons with the team and was a part of the Panthers' run to Super Bowl 50 in 2016. Cotchery retired from the NFL after the 2015 season.
Throughout his career, Cotchery was known for his work ethic, professionalism, and leadership. He was a respected teammate and a mentor to younger players. He finished his career with 524 receptions for 6,623 yards and 34 touchdowns.
Off the field, Cotchery has been involved in various charitable endeavors. He and his wife, Mercedes, founded the Cotchery Foundation, which provides educational and recreational opportunities for underprivileged children. Cotchery has also been active in the NFL's Play 60 program, which encourages children to be physically active for at least 60 minutes a day.
In summary, Jerricho Cotchery had a successful career as an NFL wide receiver, playing for the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Carolina Panthers. He was known for his reliability, toughness, and leadership, and was a key contributor to his teams' offenses. Off the field, he has been involved in charitable work and has been a positive role model for young people.
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