| No. 39, 83, 88 | |
| Tight end | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: November 22, 1975 | |
| Place of birth: Los Gatos, California | |
| Career information | |
| College: UCLA | |
| Undrafted in 1999 | |
| No regular season or postseason appearances | |
| Career history | |
* Dallas Cowboys ( 1999)
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| * World Bowl champion (VIII) | |
| Receptions | 13 |
| Receiving yards | 129 |
| Receiving TDs | 1 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
| Stats at pro-football-reference.com | |
Ryan Matthew Neufeld (born November 22, 1975) is a former American football tight end in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills. He also was a member of the Rhein Fire in NFL Europe, the Florida Tuskers and Omaha Nighthawks in the United Football League. He played college football at UCLA.
Early years[]
Neufeld attended Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, California. As a junior, he received All-league and lineman of the year honors.
As a senior wide receiver, he registered 17 receptions for 633 yards, 7 touchdowns and received All-league honors. He finished his high school career with 45 receptions for 1,122 yards (24.9-yard average).[1]
He also practiced track and basketball.
College career[]
Neufeld accepted a football scholarship from UCLA, where he was redshirted and converted into a linebacker. As a freshman backup outside linebacker, he had 23 tackles and 2 sacks. The next season, he made 16 tackles and missed 3 games with an ankle injury. He had 8 tackles against the University of Michigan.
As a junior, he was moved to tight end behind Mike Grieb. He tallied 4 receptions for 60 yards, one touchdown and was the starter at long snapper. As a senior, he posted 14 receptions (tied for fifth on the team), 141 yards and one touchdown. He finished his college career with 18 receptions for 201 yards, 2 touchdowns, 39 tackles and 2 sacks.[1]
Professional career[]
Dallas Cowboys[]
Neufeld was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 1999 NFL draft, with the intention of converting him into a fullback. He was waived on September 5 and signed to the practice squad.[2] On October 27, he was promoted to the active roster to be used on special teams and as a backup fullback.[3] He registered 6 special teams tackles and was deactivated in 2 games with a right ankle injury.
In 2000, he was allocated to the Rhein Fire of the NFL Europe. He played as a tight end, making 8 receptions for 75 yards, one touchdown and contributing to the team winning World Bowl VIII. He was released in August.
Miami Dolphins[]
On August 30, 2000, he was signed by the Miami Dolphins' practice squad, but was cut one week later.[4]
Jacksonville Jaguars[]
In 2000, he was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars to the practice squad. He was promoted to the roster on October 12.[5] In 2001, he suffered through eye, finger and calf injuries that limited his playing time during training camp and was released on August 26.[6]
Seattle Seahawks[]
In 2002, he was signed as a free agent by the Seattle Seahawks, but was cut before the start of the season, when the team decided to keep the 2 tight ends they drafted that year.
Buffalo Bills[]
In 2003, Neufeld was signed by the Buffalo Bills to be used as a backup fullback and tight end. His best statistical season came in 2004 as a backup tight end, when he registered 6 receptions for 61 yards.
On December 22, 2005, he was placed on the injured reserve list with a knee injury. On November 12, 2006, he suffered a serious tendon injury in his foot and was again placed on the injured reserve list on November 16. In 2007, he was declared inactive in 7 of the last 10 games. He wasn't re-signed at the end of the season.
Florida Tuskers (UFL)[]
Neufeld was signed by the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League on September 8, 2009.[7] He missed several games after being injured and finished with 2 receptions for 6 yards and one touchdown.
Omaha Nighthawks (UFL)[]
In 2010, he was selected by the Omaha Nighthawks in the United Football League expansion draft. He suffered a torn PCL during training camp and was lost for the season.[8]
Personal life[]
Neufeld is active in the Garth Brooks’ foundation Teammates for Kids and is the current director of football operations for the Miracle League of Frisco.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Doherty, Paul (October 12, 2007). "Catching up with... Ryan Neufeld". Morgan Hill Times. http://www.morganhilltimes.com/sports/catching-up-with-ryan-neufeld/article_b514e7cc-423e-5ef5-b758-147a1bae72b9.html. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ↑ "Transactions". https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/06/sports/transactions-380482.html. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ↑ "Transactions". https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/28/sports/transactions-172561.html. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ↑ "Transactions". https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/31/sports/transactions-927350.html. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ↑ "Transactions". https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/13/sports/transactions-639125.html. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ↑ "Transactions". https://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/27/sports/transactions-891789.html. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ↑ "UFL's Florida Tuskers Announce Signing of Eight Additional Players". OurSports Central. September 9, 2009. https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/ufls-florida-tuskers-announce-signing-of-eight-additional-players/n-3903015. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
- ↑ "Dawn Neufeld". http://www.jeffpearlman.com/the-quaz-qa-dawn-neufeld/. Retrieved February 19, 2018.