Rich Gannon is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. He was born on December 20, 1965, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended the University of Delaware, where he played college football for the Blue Hens.
Gannon began his professional career in 1987 when he was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. He spent two seasons with the Patriots before being traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 1990. Gannon played for the Vikings for three seasons, serving as a backup quarterback to starter Wade Wilson.
In 1993, Gannon signed with the Washington Redskins, where he played for one season before being released. He then signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1995 and spent the next seven seasons with the team. During his time with the Chiefs, Gannon established himself as a reliable and consistent quarterback, leading the team to the playoffs four times and earning three Pro Bowl selections.
In 1999, Gannon signed with the Oakland Raiders, where he had the most successful years of his career. He led the Raiders to three consecutive playoff appearances from 2000 to 2002, including a trip to the Super Bowl in 2002. Gannon was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2002, after throwing for 4,689 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Gannon's career came to an end in 2004, when he suffered a career-ending injury in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He retired with a career total of 28,743 passing yards, 180 touchdowns, and a passer rating of 84.7.
Throughout his career, Gannon was known for his toughness, work ethic, and leadership on and off the field. He was also recognized for his ability to read defenses and make quick decisions, which made him a valuable asset to any team he played for.
After retiring from football, Gannon became a television analyst for CBS Sports and the NFL Network. He also founded the Rich Gannon QB Academy, which provides training and coaching for young quarterbacks.
In conclusion, Rich Gannon had a long and successful career as a quarterback in the NFL, playing for five different teams over 18 seasons. He was a consistent performer throughout his career, earning three Pro Bowl selections and the NFL MVP award in 2002. Gannon's toughness, work ethic, and leadership made him a valuable asset to any team he played for, and his contributions to the sport of football continue to be recognized today.
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