Donnie Avery

Donnie Dion Avery (born June 12, 1984) is an American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Houston.

Avery has also played for the Tennessee Titans.

Early years
At Hastings High School, Alief, Texas, Avery was a First-team All-District selection as both a wide receiver and return specialist as a senior. He helped lead the team to the district championship and an 11-3 record, hauling in 36 passes for 502 yards and two touchdowns to lead the District 19-5A receivers in 2002. He also returned 13 punts for 399 yards and three scores, as well as seven kickoffs for 345 yards and one touchdown, in addition to rushing 16 times for 175 yards and two scores.

College career
In 2007 Avery led the Cougars with a career-high 91 catches for school and conference season-records of 1,456 yards (16.0 average) and seven touchdowns. He was a First-team All-Conference USA selection. As a junior, in 2006, he caught 57 passes for 852 (14.9 average) yards and 5 touchdowns. In 2006 he played in 12 games, starting 10 and caught 44 passes for 688 yards and five touchdowns. He was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team in 2004. Started 11 games as a redshirt freshman finishing fourth on the team with 18 catches for 343 yards and three punt returns for 28 yards (9.3 avg.) He redshirted as a true freshman in 2003.

St. Louis Rams
He was drafted by the Rams in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He was the first wide receiver taken in the draft in 2008. On July 26, 2008, Avery signed a four-year, $4.8 million contract which includes 3 million guaranteed. In his rookie season in the NFL, playing for the St. Louis Rams, Donnie Avery caught 53 passes for 674 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns along with 1 rushing touchdown. The Carroll Rosenbloom Award for St. Louis Ram Rookie of the Year went to receiver Donnie Avery after the 2008 NFL Season. Avery’s selection was hard earned. Defensive end and first-round pick Chris Long narrowly was edged out by Avery. Avery became the first non-first round pick to earn the honor since linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa in 2003. In the third preseason game of the 2010 NFL season against the New England Patriots, Avery was carted off the field with a knee injury. Avery missed the entire 2010 season due to that injury. On September 3, 2011, Avery was released by the St. Louis Rams.

Tennessee Titans
On September 28, 2011, Avery signed with the Tennessee Titans.

Indianapolis Colts
Avery signed with the Indianapolis Colts on March 23, 2012. On September 9, 2012, Avery caught a 6-yard touchdown from Andrew Luck. This was Luck's first NFL touchdown pass.