Tommy Maddox

At 53 years old, Tommy Maddox has this physical status:

Thomas Alfred Maddox (born September 2, 1971) is a former football quarterback in the National Football League (NFL), the XFL, and the Arena Football League.

He is one of three players (Bobby Singh and Ron Carpenter) to have won both Super Bowl and XFL championships.Maddox was born in Shreveport, Louisiana and raised in Hurst, Texas, in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

At UCLA, Maddox played collegiately for two seasons and led UCLA to the John Hancock Bowl in 1991.

The Denver Broncos drafted Maddox in the first round of the 1992 NFL Draft.

Originally thought to be the successor to Broncos star quarterback John Elway, Maddox had an unimpressive record in his rookie year and saw limited playing time in his early NFL career.

Before the 1994 season, the Broncos traded Maddox to the Los Angeles Rams, and Maddox would later join the New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Atlanta Falcons.

Maddox played under coach Dan Reeves with the Broncos, Giants, and Falcons. After being released by the Atlanta Falcons in 1997, Maddox became an insurance agent before making a comeback in professional football with the New Jersey Red Dogs of the Arena Football League in 2000.

Maddox later became starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Xtreme of the XFL, a league that folded after one season.

With the Xtreme, Maddox led the team to the Million Dollar Game championship and became league MVP for the season.

Later that year, Maddox signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Originally as backup to Kordell Stewart, Maddox became the Steelers' starting quarterback in 2002 and led the Steelers to a 10–5-1 record and a postseason run.

For his achievements in 2002, the NFL named Maddox Comeback Player of the Year.

After a 6–10 season in 2003, and an injury in week 2 against the Ravens in the 2004 season, Maddox again became a backup quarterback to Steelers first-round draft pick Ben Roethlisberger.

In this backup role, Maddox earned a Super Bowl ring when Pittsburgh won Super Bowl XL after the 2005 season, beating the Seattle Seahawks.

The 2005 season was also his final season as a professional football player.

After retiring from football, Maddox became a youth baseball coach in his native Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Early years

Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Maddox graduated from L. D. Bell High School at Hurst, Texas in 1989. At L. D. Bell, Maddox lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. As a senior, he was team captain, and was named the Southwest Texas Offensive Player of the Year, District Most Valuable Player, and the Area Most Valuable Player.

Personal life

Maddox has two children: Kacy (born 1994) and Colby (born 1999). He is a Christian. In 2003, Maddox founded the Tommy Maddox Foundation for disadvantaged children.

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College career

Maddox played quarterback at UCLA for two seasons (1990-1991-1991). Maddox completed 182 of 327 (55.7%) of his passes in 1990, totaling 2,682 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. In 1990, UCLA went 5-6. Maddox led UCLA to a 9-3 record and the 1991 John Hancock Bowl championship with a 209-for-343 (60.9%) completion rate of 2,681 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. Maddox was the first Pac-10 player to reach 5,000 yards by sophomore year in his two years with UCLA. Maddox said in a Friday night news conference on January 31, 1992, that he intended to register for the 1992 NFL Draft: "I fully recognize that another year or two at UCLA would be enjoyable and educational to my growth," Maddox said. "Playing in the NFL has been a dream of mine since childhood, and it's a gut feeling that the time has come."

Professional career

Maddox was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the first round (25th overall) of the 1992 NFL Draft. Maddox may have stayed at UCLA for another year, according to Joe Theismann, who was covering the television draft.

The Broncos' pick didn't go well with Elway, who Elway felt should have been addressed with their first pick rather than using it on Maddox. Elway, on the other hand, understood that Maddox had no influence on the Broncos' pick and was still courteous in dealing with him, doing everything possible to bring Maddox into the Broncos system. Maddox was supposed to replace John Elway as the starting quarterback. Maddox served under coach Dan Reeves as a rookie. Maddox was snapping for the first time during his Week 6 (October 6) game against the Washington Redskins, throwing 2-of-8 passes for ten yards and one interception in the 34-3 loss. Maddox became the youngest NFL quarterback to complete a pass since Elmer Angsman in 1946. Maddox dominated the week 11 (November 15) after Elway was sidelined with a shoulder injury, and the Broncos defeated the New York Giants by 27–13. Maddox will play the following four games from weeks 12-to-15, with all losses. Maddox went 18-of-26 (69.2%) for 207 yards and two interceptions (both by Terry McDaniel) in his first week with the Los Angeles Browns, and he lost three others (including one that was lost). Maddox was only informed that he would begin three hours before kickoff. "Every time Denver moved the ball, Maddox will be evicted, suspended, or simply dropped the ball," the Los Angeles Times' account of the game stated.

Maddox completed his first touchdown pass for the Seattle Seahawks this week, tying with wide receiver Mark Jackson.

Maddox appeared in all games in 1993 as the placekicker's holder, under coach Wade Phillips. Maddox completed one pass for one yard to linebacker Dave Wyman in a fake field goal attempt on Week 14 (December 5), a 13-ten loss to the San Diego Chargers.

The Los Angeles Rams traded a fourth-round 1995 NFL Draft pick to the Broncos and acquired Maddox on August 27, 1994, as the Broncos were forced to cut him. Maddox was the Rams' third-string quarterback behind Chris Miller and Chris Chandler at the start. Maddox appeared in five games as the holder of a placekick and as quarterback in two of those tournaments with the Rams in 1994. Maddox went 7-for-15 in completed passes for 86 yards and 2 interceptions in an 8–5 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Week 5 (October 2nd). Maddox finished 3 out of 4 passes for a 55-yard run to set up a field goal in Week 12 (November 20). Todd Kinchen's journey began 39 yards. The Rams won the 1994 season 4-12 and will be in St. Louis next season.

Maddox signed as a free agent with the New York Giants on August 30, 1995, playing again under coach Dan Reeves three days after the St. Louis Rams released him. Maddox was Dave Brown's back-up and played all 16 games as the holder of the placekicks. Maddox was recalled as quarterback in three games. In the second half of the Week 7 (October 15) game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Maddox made the substitution of an injured Brown. Despite Maddox's first pass, Maddox went 3-for-23 for 49 yards, three interceptions, and one sack in the 17-21 loss. Maddox took over for Brown in the fourth quarter in the Week 12 (November 19) game against the Eagles. Maddox was kicked twice for four yards and didn't lose one fumble.

Maddox appeared in the Giants' 24–17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first exhibition game of 1996. Maddox fumbled his first snap from the line of scrimmage in that game, but the Jaguars regained the ball. Maddox will repeat this mistake twice more, but will lead the game-winning drive.

Maddox played in the second exhibition game of 1996, but the Giants lost the game 37–27 to the expansion Baltimore Ravens. Maddox was 5-of-10 for 42 yards, one touchdown, one intercept, and two fumbles. Maddox was released by the Giants on August 20, 1996.

Maddox was recalled by Atlanta's Dan Reeves, but he was suspended after training camp on August 18, 1997. Maddox completed only 4-of-11 passes for 35 yards and threw an interception during a game-winning drive on August 16, defeating the Washington Redskins by 35-31.

Maddox became an insurance agent with Allstate headquartered in Dallas on November 17, 1997. NFL Films released a Maddox film in 1999. Maddox, who lived in Dallas, continued playing football and was a volunteer coach for L. D. Bell High School.

Maddox worked in insurance and joined the team after receiving a phone call from the New Jersey Red Dogs of the Arena Football League in 1999. Maddox completed 284-of-490 passes for 3,800 yards, 64 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions with the Red Dogs.

Despite the team's first pick in the XFL Draft on quarterback Scott Milanovich, Maddox became the starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Xtreme in the first week of the season. Maddox made a name for himself in the XFL during his tenure. He was the only quarterback of the league to start all ten regular season games, led the league in passing yards, touchdowns, rushed for two touchdowns, and led the Xtreme to the Million Dollar Game, also known as "Big Game At The End." The Xtreme defeated the San Francisco Demons by a score of 38–6. In 2001, Maddox was named the XFL MVP. After the 2001 season, the XFL folded.

Maddox made his Pittsburgh Steelers debut in 2001 as a back-up to Kordell Stewart. In Week 7 (October 29,) he saw the Tennessee Titans win 34–7, with Maddox completing a 57-yard pass to Troy Edwards, his first game action was in Week 7. Maddox completed 6-of-8 passes for 97 yards, with a touchdown pass to Bobby Shaw, an interception, a play, and an eight-yard rush in the last game of the season on Monday (January 6, 2002). In the American Football Conference Central Division, the 2001 Steelers finished 13–3 and first, losing their AFC Championship match to the eventual Super Bowl XXV champion New England Patriots.

Maddox, a quarterback, was recalled by Kordell Stewart in Week 4 and was instrumental in a come from behind victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 4. Maddox tied the game at 2:02 seconds with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress. Maddox was officially named starter by Steelers coach Bill Cowher on September 16, 2002. Maddox played his first NFL game since 1992 against the New Orleans Saints, who lost 32–29. Maddox threw for 268 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, all on a streak. He was 22-for-38 passing. He was suspended four times for 24 yards and didn't have a single fumble. Maddox won in his third start with the Steelers in a 34–7 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 6 (October 13). Maddox went 16-for-25 for 216 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and two sacks.

The Steelers won by 28–10 over the Indianapolis Colts and quarterback Peyton Manning in a Monday Night Football game on Week 7. Maddox finished 25-for-33 for 305 yards, three touchdowns, and led the Steelers to touchdowns on the team's first three drives. The Steelers had gone 4–1 under Maddox after Kordell Stewart's 0-2 start.

The Steelers tied the Atlanta Falcons 34–34 in Week 10 (November 10), the first tied NFL game since 1997. Maddox finished for 473 yards on 28-for-41 passing, with four touchdowns and one interception. He was kicked three times for three yards and rushed twice for seven yards. Maddox completed a 50-yard pass to Plaxico Burress, but the touchdown was only one yard short of a touchdown. After being tripped by Lance Schulters in an ambulance, Maddox left the Week 11 (November 17) game, a 31–23 loss to the Tennessee Titans. In Week 12 (November 24), Kordell Stewart defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 29–21, while Maddox recovered from his injury. Stewart was the first game to play for coach Bill Cowher. Pittsburgh would beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 25–23 in Week 13 (December 1). Maddox returned as starter in Week 14 (December 8), but the Steelers lost to the expansion team Houston Texans 24–6 as Maddox went down with six sacks and lost a fumble, scored 30-for-57 passes for 325 yards, ending the game with a 55.1 quarterback rating. Aaron Glenn, the Texans' cornerback, had two Maddox interceptions for 70 and 65 yards. Maddox would lead the Steelers to victories in the final three games of 2002.

Maddox led the Steelers into the playoffs as an aerial circus-type passing attempt, despite a ten-five-one record in 2002. Maddox completed 234-of-377 passes (62.1%) for 2,836 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions, according to the season. He was fired 26 times for 148 yards, rushed 19 times for 43 yards, and committed eight fumbles, with three of whom had lost fumbles. Maddox's passer rating for 2002 was 85.2.

Maddox led the Steelers from a 24-7 deficit to win by 36–33 at home over the Browns on 30-of-48 passing for 367 yards and three touchdowns on the wild card round before losing 34–31 overtime at the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round.

Maddox led the Steelers to a 34–15 victory over the Baltimore Ravens and rookie quarterback Kyle Boller on Week 1 (September 7) in Heinz Field. Maddox finished 21-for-29 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns, with a 134.3 passer rating. Two of the touchdowns were scored by Hines Ward, as well as one by Jay Riemersma. Despite Maddox's 336 yards in the first week (September 14th), the Kansas City Chiefs' 41-20 loss, Maddox regressed statistically, with 28-for-47 passing, one touchdown, three interceptions, four sacks, and a 62.0 rating. The Steelers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 17–10. Maddox went for 240 yards, one touchdown, and one interception on 21-of-34 passing. Maddox played "Bengal" in which field goal formation was reduced to a trick play (fourth-and-three at the 50), who then passed to Jerame Tuman, who advanced 23 yards to the Bengals' nine yard line, completing the second quarter. At halftime, this clever play could result in a touchdown and a 7-0 advantage for the Steelers. With 5:54 left in the fourth quarter, the Steelers went down the clock to a point where Maddox took a knee to seal the victory. The Steelers then lost five in a row and then fell to 2–6 in the first half of the season. In Week 5 (October 5) to the Cleveland Browns, the team that Pittsburgh had dropped from the previous season's playoffs, the three-game losing streak continued. Maddox threw two interceptions and lost one fumble on 11 of-24 passes for 136 yards and a 29.2 passer rating; Cleveland cornerback Daylon McCutcheon returned one interception 75 yards for a touchdown on 11-of-24 passing for a touchdown. Pittsburgh lost 17-14 to the Denver Broncos on Week 6 (October 12). Maddox's first interception-free game since Week 1, but Maddox was suspended seven times for 56 yards.

In the second half of the season, the Steelers went 4–4 to finish 2003 with a 6–10 record. In the Week 13 (November 30) game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Maddox made a 16-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward, putting the Steelers up 20-20, but the Bengals would win 24-20, negating any hopes of the Steelers making the playoffs. Despite Maddox's set for the most single-season completions this season, the Steelers' offense ranked 22nd in the league this season.

The Steelers selected quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Maddox may have received the lowest salary ($750,000) among all starting NFL quarterbacks, according to Roethlisberger's pick. Maddox, therefore, discussed salary increases with Steelers owner Dan Rooney before the draft was published.

Maddox opened Week 1 (September 12) against the Oakland Raiders, 24-21, and the Baltimore Ravens lost 30-13. Maddox was 13-of-22 (59.1%) in passing for 142 yards against Oakland. Maddox sustained an elbow injury in the third quarter, and Roethlisberger took over as quarterback. Roethlisberger was named as the Maddox quarterback, but not before November, he would be out of service until November. Roethlisberger as starter would help Pittsburgh win by a game-record 13 games per week, but he would miss the game against Baltimore by 20–7, the 13th straight victory. (Baltimore defensive end Terrell Suggs suffered both injuries to Maddox and Roethlisberger, causing them to miss their games against the Ravens.) Maddox appeared in the fourth quarter. Maddox earned no points in the game, and the Steelers were mainly dependent on running plays by Haynes, Jerome Bettis, and Hines Ward. This program allowed Pittsburgh to hold the ball for the final 7:45 minutes of the game. Maddox will play in the Buffalo Bills' 29–24 victory over the Bills, who had barred the Bills from playoff contention, in the final game of the season on January 2, 2005 (Week 171). Maddox completed 12-of-24 passes for 120 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. The Steelers were the first AFC team to finish the regular season with a 15-1 record. The Steelers will advance to the AFC championship and fall to the eventual Super Bowl XXIX champion New England Patriots in the playoffs.

Maddox returned as starter in October 2005 after Roethlisberger sustained a knee injury. Maddox completed just 11 of 28 passes for 154 yards, 1 touchdown, and 3 interceptions in Week 6 (October 16). Following the loss, coach Bill Cowher expressed regret for not substituting third-stringer Charlie Batch for Maddox and not having Jerome Bettis in for further running plays. Cowher would demote Maddox to third string after Batch. Maddox's next game will be held in Week 10 (November 13), a 34-21 victory over the Cleveland Browns, in which Maddox completed 4 of 7 passes for 22 yards. Maddox will play against the Baltimore Ravens on Week 11 (November 20) as Roethlisberger recovered from knee surgery. In overtime, Pittsburgh lost to Baltimore 16-13, and Maddox was 19-for-36 for 230 yards, a touchdown, an intercept, and a lost fumble. Despite Maddox's game-tying touchdown pass to Willie Parker, the Steelers' final drive in regulation, the Steelers' final drive in regulation. Maddox will play in his last game of his career. In the postseason, the Steelers will win Super Bowl XL over the Seattle Seahawks, but Maddox was one of a select group of Steelers players, including linebacker James Harrison, who did not attend the White House service to celebrate their Super Bowl championship. Maddox was fired by the Steelers on March 3, 2006, for salary cap reasons.

Maddox tried out for the Oakland Raiders in September 2006.

Maddox signed a deal with the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League, but it was cut off in November 2006.

Maddox played out for the Dallas Cowboys on December 8, 2006.

Post-football career

Maddox earned a 75 at a local qualifier for the 2007 U.S. Open of golf, four over par; three under par was the cutoff for qualification.

Maddox was the assistant coach of the Grapevine High School baseball team that won the 5A Texas UIL State Championship in 2016 and was runner up in 2017. He served as an assistant coach for the Grapevine High School football team until 2017.

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