Antonio Bryant

Antonio Bryant (born March 9, 1981) is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He played college football for University of Pittsburgh, and was recognized as an All-American and Fred Biletnikoff Award winner. The Dallas Cowboys picked him in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft, and also played professionally for the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL.

Early years
Bryant was born in Miami, Florida. He graduated from Miami Northwestern High School, where he was a standout high school football player for the Miami Northwestern Bulls.

College career
Bryant attended the University of Pittsburgh, and played for the Pittsburgh Panthers football team from 1999 to 2001. He was a first-team All-Big East selection in 2000 and 2001, and was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American as a sophomore in 2000. He also won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the best college wide receiver in America in 2000; he was the second sophomore to win the award.

Dallas Cowboys
He was selected in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, after he dropped because of character concerns. Bryant displayed his athletic ability and hands from the start, and became the first rookie wide receiver to start for the Cowboys in a season opener since Michael Irvin in 1988. In 2003, he was named the team's third receiver after Terry Glenn signed as a free agent. That year he had his signature moment, on a 4th and 14 last minute game winning touchdown catch, against the Carolina Panthers (who were one of the top teams in the NFL).

In 2004, the arrival of Keyshawn Johnson started to affect his attitude. During a mini-camp practice that offseason, he threw a jersey in the face of head coach Bill Parcells and tensions escalated from that point forward. He was eventually traded to the Cleveland Browns after the fifth game of the season, in exchange for wide receiver Quincy Morgan, who also had issues with his former team.

Cleveland Browns
With the Browns he behaved as a model citizen. In 2005, he had his best season up to that point, leading the team in catches (69), receiving yards (1,009 yards) and touchdowns (four). He became a free agent at the end of the year.

San Francisco 49ers
Bryant would later sign as a free agent with the 49ers in 2006. On March 1, 2007 Bryant was released by the 49ers because of clashes with head coach Mike Nolan. This came one year after he signed a four-year, $14 million dollar contract.

Reinstatement
On September 17, 2007, Bryant was reinstated by the league, but was not able to sign with a team, partly because of a failed drug test over the summer. In October 2007, he filed a lawsuit against the NFL to try to get them to stop drug testing him since he was not a player at the time, and to drop the failed drug test. In December 2007, the case was resolved without the details being released.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On March 10, 2008, Bryant signed a deal for the veteran minimum with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He had a career game on Monday Night Football against the Carolina Panthers. He had 9 receptions for 200 yards, including a one-handed touchdown catch dubbed "catch of the year". Despite his performance, the Buccaneers lost 38-23. Bryant finished the 2008 season with 83 catches for 1,248 yards and 7 touchdowns while averaging 15 yards per catch. He was the Buccaneers' leading receiver. On February 18, 2009, Bryant was given the franchise tag by the Buccaneers, which he accepted on February 26, 2009. On February 25, 2010, after a somewhat disappointing and injury-plagued season, Bryant was released by the Buccaneers.

Cincinnati Bengals
On March 10, 2010, Bryant signed a four-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals worth a reported $28 million, along with multiple incentives.

After the Bengals signed Terrell Owens, Bryant gave up his No. 81 jersey for Owens, who had worn the number his entire career. In return for the number, Bryant requested Owens make a donation to his charity. Bryant instead wore jersey No. 19. The Bengals released Bryant on August 29, 2010.

Seattle Seahawks
On June 12, 2012, Bryant worked out for the Seattle Seahawks by attending their three-day minicamp and took a physical for the team as well. On June 15, 2012, it was reported that Bryant finished all three of the Seattle Seahawks minicamp practices indicating that his chronic knee injury had healed. After being out of football for two years, Bryant signed with the Seahawks on July 26, 2012. Bryant's stay with the Seahawks was short lived, as he was released by the team on August 5, 2012.