Laveranues Coles is a former American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons. He was born on December 29, 1977, in Jacksonville, Florida, and attended Florida State University, where he played college football for the Seminoles.
Coles was selected by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He quickly became a key player for the Jets, starting in 14 games in his rookie season and catching 22 passes for 370 yards and two touchdowns. Over the next few seasons, Coles established himself as one of the most reliable and consistent receivers in the league, earning a reputation for his toughness, work ethic, and ability to make tough catches in traffic.
In 2002, Coles had his best season with the Jets, catching 89 passes for 1,264 yards and five touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl that year and was also named the team's MVP. Coles continued to be a productive receiver for the Jets over the next few seasons, but in 2005, he was traded to the Washington Redskins in exchange for wide receiver Santana Moss.
Coles played two seasons with the Redskins, catching 82 passes for 1,098 yards and six touchdowns in 2006. However, he was released by the team in 2008 and signed with the Jets once again. Coles played one more season with the Jets before being released in 2010.
Over the course of his career, Coles caught 674 passes for 8,609 yards and 49 touchdowns. He was known for his toughness and ability to make tough catches in traffic, as well as his work ethic and leadership on and off the field. Despite his success, Coles never won a Super Bowl or made it to the playoffs with any of the teams he played for.
After retiring from the NFL, Coles became a high school football coach and also worked as a football analyst for ESPN. He has also been involved in various charitable organizations, including the Laveranues Coles Foundation, which provides scholarships and other support to underprivileged youth in his hometown of Jacksonville, Florida.
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