Ricky Proehl is a former American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. He was born on March 7, 1968, in Rahway, New Jersey, and attended the University of Wake Forest, where he played college football.
Proehl began his professional career in 1990 when he was drafted by the Phoenix Cardinals in the third round of the NFL Draft. He played for the Cardinals for three seasons before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 1993. He spent one season with the Seahawks before being traded to the Chicago Bears in 1994.
Proehl played for the Bears for two seasons before signing with the St. Louis Rams in 1998. It was with the Rams that Proehl had some of the most memorable moments of his career. He played a key role in the Rams' Super Bowl XXXIV victory over the Tennessee Titans in 2000, catching a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to tie the game. The Rams went on to win the game on a last-second field goal.
Proehl played for the Rams for four seasons before signing with the Carolina Panthers in 2003. He played for the Panthers for three seasons before retiring after the 2006 season. Over the course of his career, Proehl caught 669 passes for 8,878 yards and 54 touchdowns.
Proehl was known for his reliability and consistency as a receiver. He was not the fastest or most athletic player on the field, but he had a knack for getting open and making tough catches in key situations. He was also a valuable asset in the locker room, serving as a mentor to younger players and providing leadership to his teams.
After retiring from playing, Proehl went on to become a wide receivers coach in the NFL. He has coached for several teams, including the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, and Buffalo Bills. He is currently the wide receivers coach for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Proehl's son, Austin Proehl, followed in his father's footsteps and played college football at the University of North Carolina. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft and is currently a wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams.
Overall, Ricky Proehl had a long and successful career in the NFL. He was a reliable and consistent receiver who played a key role in several memorable moments throughout his career. He has also made a successful transition to coaching, where he continues to pass on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of players.
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