Jabar Gaffney

Derrick Jabar Gaffney (born December 1, 1980) is an American football free agent wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Florida, and was twice recognized as an All-American. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft.

He also played the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Washington Redskins, and Miami Dolphins.

Early years
Gaffney was born in San Antonio, Texas. He attended William M. Raines High School in Jacksonville, Florida, and was a letterman for the Raines Vikings high school football team. In football, he was a two-year starter as a wide receiver, and as a junior in 1997, he caught the game-winning, fourth quarter touchdown pass in the state championship game.

College career
Gaffney accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Steve Spurrier's Florida Gators football team in 2000 and 2001. The Gators coaching staff decided to redshirt him as true freshman in 1999. Gaffney became a prolific pass-catcher as a first-year starter for the Gators, and made a game-winning touchdown catch with fourteen seconds remaining to defeat the Tennessee Volunteers 27–23 &mdash;a game that ultimately decided the 2000 winner of the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). He was a first-team All-SEC selection in 2000 and 2001 and a first-team All-American in 2000, and was recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American following his 2001 sophomore season. He finished his two-season college career with 138 receptions for 2,375 yards and twenty-seven touchdowns, and was chosen by his teammates as the Gators' most valuable player.

Houston Texans
Gaffney was selected with the 1st pick in the 2nd round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. His tenure with the team was marred by his often inconsistent play which led to his benching in favor of veteran receivers, in particular Corey Bradford. After his rookie contract was up the Texans chose not to re-sign him after he put up less-than stellar stats.

Philadelphia Eagles
On March 16, 2006, the Eagles signed Gaffney to a one-year contract, but released him prior to the start of the regular season.

New England Patriots
Gaffney signed a two-year deal with the New England Patriots on October 9, 2006. 2007 was his first solid season. On March 5, 2008, Gaffney re-signed with the Patriots for one year worth $2 million.

In his first-ever playoff game, on January 7, 2007 against the New York Jets, Gaffney had a near-career day, catching eight passes for 104 yards, his second 100-yard performance as a receiver (in ten regular season games, Gaffney caught 11 passes for 142 yards and one touchdown.) Gaffney followed that performance a week later against San Diego with another 100-yard game, in which he caught ten passes and scored a touchdown.

Jabar Gaffney finished the 2008 season with 44 receptions for 468 yards and two touchdowns. His longest reception was 37 yards. His best game came against the Cardinals in week 16, when he had 90 yards receiving.

Denver Broncos


On February 27, 2009, Gaffney signed a four-year, $10 million contract with the Denver Broncos. The deal included $3 million guaranteed. In the Broncos' week 17 loss to Kansas City, he had a career day, catching 14 passes for 213 yards as the Broncos played without Brandon Marshall, who was benched for disciplinary reasons by head coach Josh McDaniels. He finished the 2009 season with 54 receptions for 732 yards and two touchdowns, ranking second on the team in receptions and receiving yards. Gaffney put up 875 yards in 2010.

Washington Redskins
Gaffney was traded to the Washington Redskins for defensive end Jeremy Jarmon on July 27, 2011. In his only season with the Redskins, Gaffney set a new career high for himself with 919 receiving yards after Week 16 against the Minnesota Vikings. At the end of the 2011 season, this record would increase to 947 receiving yards and Gaffney would be the leader in receiving yards for the entire team, as well as having 68 receptions and five touchdowns.

On April 18, 2012, Gaffney announced that he was told not to attend the team's offseason conditioning program and that the Redskins are attempting to trade him. Head coach Mike Shanahan later stated that Gaffney could still remain on the Redskins, but felt obligated to let Gaffney explore other options throughout the league.

Gaffney was released by the Redskins on May 1, 2012

Return to the New England Patriots
Gaffney signed a two-year contract to return to the Patriots on May 2, 2012. He was released by the team on August 27.

Miami Dolphins
On October 2, 2012, Gaffney was signed by the Miami Dolphins.

On November 20, 2012 Gaffney was waived by the Miami Dolphins.

Family
Gaffney and ex-wife Terin have a son, Jackson Tyrel Gaffney, and a daughter, Teagan Danae Gaffney. He is the son of former New York Jets wide receiver Derrick Gaffney, and the first cousin of NFL cornerback Lito Sheppard.