Misplaced Pages

Najeh Davenport: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 20:19, 10 December 2008 editChrisjnelson (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users59,208 edits →External links← Previous edit Latest revision as of 20:21, 29 October 2024 edit undoRed Director (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users1,058,386 edits →Race-based Discrimination in NFL Concussion Settlement: ref mod 
(394 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American football player (born 1979)}}
{{Infobox NFLactive
{{Use American English|date=March 2024}}
|name=Najeh Davenport
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
|image=Replace this image male.svg <!-- only free-content images are allowed for depicting living people - see ] --> |
{{Infobox NFL biography
|currentteam=Indianapolis Colts
| name = Najeh Davenport
|currentnumber=49
| image = NajehDavenport Steelers 2006.jpg
|currentposition=Running back
| caption = Davenport with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2006
|birthdate={{birth date and age|1979|2|8}}
| number = 44, 49
|birthplace=Raleigh, North Carolina
| position = ]
|heightft=6
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1979|2|8}}
|heightin=1
| birth_place = ], U.S.
|weight=247
| height_ft = 6
|debutyear=2002
| height_in = 1
|debutteam=Green Bay Packers
| weight_lbs = 247
|college=]
| high_school = ]<br/>(])
|draftyear=2002
| college = ]
|draftround=4
| draftyear = 2002
|draftpick=135
| draftround = 4
|pastteams=<nowiki></nowiki>
| draftpick = 135
| highlights =
*] (])
| pastteams =
* ] ({{NFL Year|2002}}–{{NFL Year|2005}}) * ] ({{NFL Year|2002}}–{{NFL Year|2005}})
* ] ({{NFL Year|2006}}–{{NFL Year|2008}}) * ] ({{NFL Year|2006}}–{{NFL Year|2008}})
* ] ({{NFL Year|2008}}–present) * ] ({{NFL Year|2008}})
| statlabel1 = ]
|status=Active
| statvalue1 = 394
|statweek=14
| statlabel2 = ]
|statseason=2008
| statvalue2 = 1,819
|statlabel1=Rushing yards
| statlabel3 = ]
|statvalue1=1,793
| statvalue3 = 13
|statlabel2=Rushing average
| statlabel4 = ]
|statvalue2=4.6
| statvalue4 = 54
|statlabel3=]s
| statlabel5 = ]
|statvalue3=13
| statvalue5 = 538
|nfl=DAV005111
| statlabel6 = ]
| statvalue6 = 3
}} }}
'''Najeh Trenadious Monté Davenport''' (born February 8, 1979 in {{city-state|Raleigh|North Carolina}}) is a an ] ] for the ] of the ]. He was drafted by the ] in the fourth round of the ]. He played ] at the ]. '''Najeh Trenadious Monté Davenport''' (born February 8, 1979) is an American former professional ] player who was a ] in the ]. He played ] for the ] and was selected by the ] in the fourth round of the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2002 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/draft.htm |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> In addition to the Packers, Davenport played in the NFL for the ] and ].


==College career== ==College career==
Davenport attended the ], where he played primarily as a fullback. He won a ] as a member of the Hurricanes in 2001. He was chosen by the Packers in the fourth round of the 2002 ] with the 135th overall pick. He earned a Bachelor of the Arts degree in theatre, with a minor in education. Davenport attended the ], where he played primarily as a halfback. Chosen as the offensive captain, he won an ] as a member of the ] in ]. He earned a ] degree in theatre with a minor in education at the University of Miami. He was chosen by the Packers in the fourth round of the 2002 ] with the 135th overall pick.


==Professional career== ==Professional career==

===Green Bay Packers=== ===Green Bay Packers===
Since entering the NFL, Davenport has struggled with fumbles when playing and with injuries that have kept him off the playing field. Davenport's abilities exceed a fourth round selection, but to the accord of many scout's predictions, Davenport has been plagued by injuries throughout his career. In his rookie campaign, Davenport rushed for a respectable 4.7 yards per carry average before fracturing his left eye socket. During his NFL career, Davenport struggled with ]s and with injuries that kept him off the playing field. Davenport's abilities exceed a fourth-round selection, but as many scouts predicted, Davenport was plagued by injuries throughout his career. In his rookie campaign, he rushed for a respectable 4.7 yards per carry average before fracturing his left eye socket.


In 2003, injuries were minimal and he rushed for 5.45 yards per carry, good for the second highest in the NFL, and 30.1 yards per kick return. However, in 2004, Davenport started the season with a lingering hamstring injury that kept him out of for a month. On November 29, 2004, Davenport, in his first NFL start, rushed for 178 yards, third highest debut start yardage in the NFL for the past 20 years. Later that year, Davenport broke his ribs, resulting in playing at far less than 100 percent. In 2003, injuries were minimal and he rushed for 5.45 yards per carry, good for the second highest in the NFL, and 30.1 yards per kick return. However, in the 2004 season, Davenport started the season with a lingering hamstring injury that kept him out for a month. On November 29, 2004, Davenport, in his first NFL start, rushed for 178 yards, third highest debut start yardage in the NFL for the past 20 years. Later that year, Davenport broke his ribs, resulting in playing at far less than 100 percent.


In 2005, after starting running back ] went down with a quadriceps injury, Davenport took over as starter. In what would be his only start of the season, versus the New Orleans Saints, Davenport scored two first-half touchdowns before breaking his ankle. He was subsequently placed on injured reserve, effectively ending his season. In 2005, after starting running back ] went down with a quadriceps injury, Davenport took over as starter. In what would be his only start of the season, versus the ], Davenport scored two first-half touchdowns before breaking his ankle. He was subsequently placed on injured reserve, effectively ending his season.


===Pittsburgh Steelers=== ===Pittsburgh Steelers===
Davenport was released by the ] on September 2, 2006, when NFL rosters were reduced to 53 players. Six days later, on ], ], however, Davenport was signed to the roster of the ]. He finished the season with a total of 221 rushing yards. Davenport was released by the ] on September 2, 2006, when the team made their final roster cuts. Six days later, on September 8, 2006, however, Davenport was signed to the roster of the ]. He finished the 2006 season with a total of 221 rushing yards.


After the Steelers signed veteran running back ], Davenport was facing competition with Barlow for the second and third string positions. However, Barlow was cut during training camp, and Davenport assumed the second-string responsibilities for Pittsburgh's opener against ]. Davenport rushed for 43 yards on eight carries in the Steelers' 34–7 win.
Davenport quickly earned the nicknames "Dookie"<ref>{{cite web | title = Najeh Davenport | publisher = Topix.com | url = http://www.topix.com/forum/football-players/najeh-davenport/TIAL9HB2IFSQ0HEEO | accessdate = 2008-04-07}}</ref> and "The Dump Truck,"<ref>{{cite news
| last = Gallo | first = DJ | title = Time to put fantasy into trades | publisher = ESPN.com | date = October 16, 2006 | url = http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=gallo/061016 | accessdate = 2008-04-07}}</ref> both plays on the Barry University incident (see below).


Arguably his best game with the Steelers came on Thursday, December 20, 2007, against the ]. Davenport had 24 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown, as well as two catches for 44 yards and another touchdown. Davenport came into the game to relieve ], who broke his ] in the first quarter.
After the Steelers signed veteran running back ], Davenport was facing competition with Barlow for the second and third string positions. However, Barlow was cut during training camp, and Davenport assumed the second string responsibilities for Pittsburgh's opener against Cleveland. Davenport rushed for 43 yards on 8 carries in the Steelers's 34-7 win.


The Steelers released Davenport on June 28, 2008.<ref>{{cite news |first= Gerry|last= Dulac|title= Steelers release Davenport, three others|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08181/893489-66.stm |publisher= ]|date= June 29, 2008|access-date=July 1, 2008 }}</ref> He was re-signed on September 30 following injuries to ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite news |first= Ed|last= Bouchette|author2=Gerry Dulac|title= Steelers sign Davenport, likely to add Russell|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08274/916247-66.stm|publisher= ]|date= September 30, 2008|access-date=September 30, 2008}}</ref> The Steelers released him again on November 8, only to re-sign him on November 27 due to the injury to Parker. Davenport was released once more on December 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/teams/pittsburghsteelers/transactions?team=PIT|title=Pittsburgh Steelers Transactions at NFL.com|website=www.nfl.com}}</ref>
Arguably his best game with the Steelers came on Thursday, December 20, 2007, against the ]. Davenport had 24 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown, as well as two catches for 44 yards and another touchdown. Davenport replaced ] who broke his ] in the first quarter.

The Steelers released Davenport on June 28, 2008.<ref>{{cite news |first= Gerry|last= Dulac|authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Steelers release Davenport, three others|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08181/893489-66.stm |work= |publisher= ]|date= 2008-06-29|accessdate=2008-07-01 }}</ref> He was re-signed on September 30 following injuries to ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite news |first= Ed|last= Bouchette|coauthors= Gerry Dulac|title= Steelers sign Davenport, likely to add Russell|url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08274/916247-66.stm?cmpid=sports.xml|publisher= ]|date= 2008-09-30|accessdate=2008-09-30}}</ref> The Steelers released Davenport on November 8, only to re-sign him on November 27 due to the injury to Parker. He was released Davenport on December 2.<ref>http://www.nfl.com/teams/pittsburghsteelers/transactions?team=PIT</ref>


===Indianapolis Colts=== ===Indianapolis Colts===
Davenport was signed by the ] on December 9, 2008.<ref>http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/12/09/dookie-lands-in-indy/</ref> Davenport was signed by the ] on December 9, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2008/12/09/dookie-lands-in-indy/|title=DOOKIE LANDS IN INDY|date=December 9, 2008}}</ref> In two games with the Colts, he had eight rushes for 26 yards and caught four passes for 54 yards. He was released on January 3, 2009, after the team elevated ] ] from the practice squad.


===NFL statistics===
==Personal==
'''Rushing Statistics'''<ref name=ESPN>{{cite web|title=Najeh Davenport Stats|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/3663/najeh-davenport|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|access-date=April 1, 2014}}</ref>
===Legal troubles===
{| class="wikitable"
Prior to entering the NFL, Davenport allegedly pulled down his pants and ] in the laundry basket of a ] woman in her dorm room on April 1, 2002. He was then given the nickname "Deuce" by the Packers fans, then renamed "Dookie" by Mike Florio of Profootballtalk.com. Fans of have also named him: "The Dump Truck", "The Defecator", "Davenpoop", and "The Poopetrator." He has also been nicknamed "The Thundering Turd," and an ] has suggested that when he was with the Packers, a letter writing campign to the equipment manager asked for him to be issued jersey number 2 for practice. In a plea bargain, his felony charge of second-degree burglary and misdemeanor count of criminal mischief were dropped in exchange for his completing 100 hours of community service.<ref>{{Citation |title=Davenport agrees to community service |newspaper=The Associated Press |year=2002 |date=October 29, 2002 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2002/10/29/packers_davenport_ap}}</ref>
|-
! Year !! Team !! Games !! Carries !! Yards !! Yards per Carry !! Longest Carry !! Touchdowns !! First Downs !! Fumbles !! Fumbles Lost
|-
| ] || ] || 8 || 39 || 184 || 4.7 || 43 || 1 || 8 || 1 || 1
|-
| ] || ] || 15 || 77 || 420 || 5.5 || 76 || 2 || 18 || 4 || 1
|-
| ] || ] || 11 || 71 || 359 || 5.1 || 40 || 2 || 16 || 0 || 0
|-
| ] || ] || 5 || 30 || 105 || 3.5 || 24 || 2 || 9 || 1 || 0
|-
| ] || ] || 13 || 60 || 221 || 3.7 || 48 || 1 || 9 || 1 || 0
|-
| ] || ] || 15 || 107 || 499 || 4.7 || 45 || 5 || 37 || 1 || 0
|-
| ] || ] || 4 || 2 || 5 || 2.5 || 3 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0
|-
| ] || ] || 2 || 8 || 26 || 3.3 || 8 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0
|-
| Career || || 73 || 394 || 1,819 || 4.6 || 76 || 13 || 100 || 8 || 2
|}


'''Receiving Statistics'''<ref name= ESPN />
On October 12, 2007, Davenport was charged in ] with domestic violence, child endangering, and unlawful restraint in an incident involving the mother of his five-year-old son. He entered a plea of not guilty days later and the case went to trial on April 4, 2008.<ref>
{| class="wikitable"
{{cite news |last=Caniglia |first=John |title=Steelers running back on trial in Cleveland |work=] |date=April 4, 2008 |url=http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1207384400226400.xml&coll=2}}</ref> After a four-day trial, an eight-member jury spent three and a half hours deliberating before finding Davenport not guilty of all counts.<ref>{{cite news |last=Finder |first=Chuck |title=Steelers' Davenport is not guilty on 3 charges |work=] |date=April 10, 2008 |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08101/871979-66.stm}}</ref>
|-
! Year !! Team !! Games !! Receptions !! Targets !! Yards !! Yards per Reception !! Longest Reception !! Touchdowns !! First Downs !! Fumbles !! Fumbles Lost
|-
| ] || ] || 8 || 5 || - || 33 || 6.6 || 13 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0
|-
| ] || ] || 15 || 6 || - || 38 || 6.3 || 12 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0
|-
| ] || ] || 11 || 4 || - || 33 || 8.3 || 12 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0
|-
| ] || ] || 5 || 2 || - || 3 || 1.5 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| ] || ] || 13 || 15 || 21 || 193 || 12.9 || 32 || 1 || 9 || 0 || 0
|-
| ] || ] || 15 || 18 || 27 || 184 || 10.2 || 32 || 2 || 6 || 0 || 0
|-
| ] || ] || 2 || 4 || 4 || 54 || 13.5 || 33 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0
|-
| Career || || 73 || 54 || 52 || 538 || 10.0 || 33 || 3 || 22 || 0 || 0
|}

'''Returning Statistics'''<ref name= ESPN />
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Team !! Games !! Kickoff Return Attempts !! Kickoff Return Yards !! Kickoffs Returned for Touchdown !! Longest Kickoff Return
|-
| ] || ] || 8 || 6 || 130 || 0 || 27
|-
| ] || ] || 15 || 16 || 505 || 0 || 60
|-
| ] || ] || 11 || 14 || 286 || 0 || 27
|-
| ] || ] || 5 || 10 || 189 || 0 || 27
|-
| ] || ] || 13 || 21 || 448 || 0 || 40
|-
| ] || ] || 15 || 7 || 123 || 0 || 29
|-
| ] || ] || 4 || 10 || 217 || 0 || 27
|-
| ] || ] || 2 || 5 || 107 || 0 || 26
|-
| Career || || 73 || 89 || 2,005 || 0 || 60
|}

==Personal life==

=== Burglary and criminal mischief charge ===
Prior to entering the NFL, Davenport broke into the dorm room of a ] woman and ] in a laundry basket on April 1, 2002.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2002/10/56096|title=Much Ado About Pigskin Poo|magazine=Wired|last1=Delio|first1=Michelle}}</ref> A woman sleeping in the room told police she was startled by a strange grunting sound and observed Davenport in a squatted position, evacuating his bowels and voiding into a laundry hamper in her closet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmqb.si.com/2014/07/17/nfl-dead-month-stories/|title='He Did What?!' True Tales from the NFL Dead Month|first=Andrew|last=Brandt|date=July 17, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2002/07/08/davenport_ap/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021027152026/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2002/07/08/davenport_ap/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 27, 2002 | work=CNN | title=Packers FB Davenport charged with burglary, mischief}}</ref> In a ], his felony charge of second-degree ] and misdemeanor count of ] were dropped in exchange for his completing 100 hours of community service.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Davenport agrees to community service |newspaper=The Associated Press |date=October 29, 2002 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2002/10/29/packers_davenport_ap |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021101220617/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2002/10/29/packers_davenport_ap/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 1, 2002 }}</ref> Davenport maintained his innocence after the hearing, demanding outside of the courthouse, "Where's the evidence? Where's the ]? I know I didn't do it – I just wanted to get it over with."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2002/10/29/packers_davenport_ap/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021101220617/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2002/10/29/packers_davenport_ap/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=November 1, 2002 | work=CNN | title=Davenport agrees to community service}}</ref>

During his career, Davenport was given the nicknames "Dookie"<ref>{{cite news | title = Najeh Davenport | url = http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player_news.asp?sport=NFL&id=1778&line=134265 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090713085108/http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player_news.asp?sport=NFL&id=1778&line=134265 | archive-date = July 13, 2009 | work = USA Today | date = December 1, 2008 | access-date = January 16, 2009 | url-status = dead }}</ref> and "The Dump Truck."<ref>{{cite news | last = Gallo | first = DJ | title = Time to put fantasy into trades | work = ESPN.com | date = October 16, 2006 | url = https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=gallo/061016 | access-date = April 7, 2008}}</ref> While playing for the Packers, a portable ] was placed inside of his locker during training camp as a rookie hazing prank,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gc5IXqieC0EC&pg=PA1|title=Spoiled Sports: Comical and Disturbing Stories of the 21st Century|first=Garret L.|last=Kolb|date=June 1, 2006|publisher=Andrews McMeel Publishing|isbn=9780740757044|via=Google Books}}</ref> and a spirited letter writing campaign to the Green Bay team equipment manager asked in jest that he be issued jersey ] for practice,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://erin-patricia.blogspot.com/2008/11/dump-truck-gets-dumped.html|title=ErinPatricia: The Dump Truck Gets Dumped.|last=Erinpatricia|date=November 9, 2008}}</ref> which was referenced for many years during the opening of the "D-List" show on ] ESPN 540 in ] before the station flipped format from sports talk to progressive talk.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ndnation.com/boards/showpost.php?b=cartier;pid=347938;d=this |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201214610/http://www.ndnation.com/boards/showpost.php?b=cartier;pid=347938;d=this |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |title=The "D-List" show on ESPN 540 Milwaukee}}</ref> All are plays on the incident.

=== Alleged domestic violence ===
Davenport was charged in ] with ], endangering, and unlawful restraint in an October 2007 incident involving the mother of his five-year-old son. He entered a plea of not guilty days later and the case went to trial on April 4, 2008.<ref>{{cite news |last=Caniglia |first=John |title=Steelers running back on trial in Cleveland |work=] |date=April 4, 2008 |url=http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1207384400226400.xml&coll=2 |access-date=April 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007074235/http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews%2F1207384400226400.xml&coll=2 |archive-date=October 7, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> After a four-day trial, an eight-member jury spent three and a half hours deliberating before finding Davenport not guilty of all counts.<ref>{{cite news |last=Finder |first=Chuck |title=Steelers' Davenport is not guilty on 3 charges |work=] |date=April 10, 2008 |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08101/871979-66.stm}}</ref>

=== Race-based Discrimination in NFL Concussion Settlement ===
On October 25, 2020, Davenport and another ex-NFL player, ] (cousin of ] great ] and coincidentally also an ex-Steeler), filed a lawsuit<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vielmetti |first1=Bruce |title=Former Packer says NFL concussion settlements discriminate against Black players |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/wisconsin/2020/08/25/najeh-davenport-former-packer-sues-nfl/3432476001/ |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date=25 August 2000 }}</ref> against the NFL <ref>{{cite web|title=Class action complaint|work=District court|access-date=7 March 2023|url=https://b6z5u7m8.stackpathcdn.com/sites/default/files/2020-08/Complaint_Case_2.20-cv-04165.pdf|date=August 2020}}</ref> stating the NFL used "race-norming"<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Norman |first1=Marc A. |last2=Moore |first2=David J. |last3=Taylor |first3=Michael |last4=Franklin |first4=Donald |last5=Cysique |first5=Lucette |last6=Ake |first6=Chris |last7=Lazarretto |first7=Deborah |last8=Vaida |first8=Florin |last9=Heaton |first9=Robert K. |title=Demographically Corrected Norms for African Americans and Caucasians on the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised, Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised, Stroop Color and Word Test, and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test 64-Card Version |journal=Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology |date=August 2011 |volume=33 |issue=7 |pages=793–804 |doi=10.1080/13803395.2011.559157 |pmid=21547817 |pmc=3154384 }}</ref> as a factor to determine neurocognitive impairment as part of the NFL's Concussion Settlement. The complaint stated that Black players' neurocognitive impairment score was adjusted by making an assumption that Black players started with a lower cognitive ability than a non-Black player. This adjustment made it more difficult for Black players to prove cognitive decline compared to non-Black players. On October 21, 2021, the NFL and lawyers for thousands of retired NFL players reached an agreement to end race-based adjustments in cognitive testing related to the NFL's Concussion Settlement.<ref name="g358">{{cite web | last=Dale | first=Maryclaire | title=NFL, players agree to end ‘race-norming’ in $1B settlement | website=The Seattle Times | date=2021-10-19 | url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/nfl-set-to-propose-fix-to-race-norming-in-dementia-testing/ | access-date=2024-10-29}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
{{reflist|2}} {{Reflist|2}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{commons category}}
*
*
*
*
*


{{2001 Miami Hurricanes football navbox}}
{{Packers2002DraftPicks}} {{Packers2002DraftPicks}}


{{Lifetime|1979||Davenport, Najeh}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Davenport, Najeh}}
] ]
] ]
]
] ]
]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]

]

Latest revision as of 20:21, 29 October 2024

American football player (born 1979)

American football player
Najeh Davenport
refer to captionDavenport with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2006
No. 44, 49
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1979-02-08) February 8, 1979 (age 45)
Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:247 lb (112 kg)
Career information
High school:Miami Central
(West Little River, Florida)
College:Miami (FL)
NFL draft:2002 / round: 4 / pick: 135
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:394
Rushing yards:1,819
Rushing touchdowns:13
Receptions:54
Receiving yards:538
Receiving touchdowns:3
Stats at Pro Football Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Najeh Trenadious Monté Davenport (born February 8, 1979) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL draft. In addition to the Packers, Davenport played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts.

College career

Davenport attended the University of Miami, where he played primarily as a halfback. Chosen as the offensive captain, he won an NCAA Division I-A national football championship as a member of the Hurricanes in 2001. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre with a minor in education at the University of Miami. He was chosen by the Packers in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL draft with the 135th overall pick.

Professional career

Green Bay Packers

During his NFL career, Davenport struggled with fumbles and with injuries that kept him off the playing field. Davenport's abilities exceed a fourth-round selection, but as many scouts predicted, Davenport was plagued by injuries throughout his career. In his rookie campaign, he rushed for a respectable 4.7 yards per carry average before fracturing his left eye socket.

In 2003, injuries were minimal and he rushed for 5.45 yards per carry, good for the second highest in the NFL, and 30.1 yards per kick return. However, in the 2004 season, Davenport started the season with a lingering hamstring injury that kept him out for a month. On November 29, 2004, Davenport, in his first NFL start, rushed for 178 yards, third highest debut start yardage in the NFL for the past 20 years. Later that year, Davenport broke his ribs, resulting in playing at far less than 100 percent.

In 2005, after starting running back Ahman Green went down with a quadriceps injury, Davenport took over as starter. In what would be his only start of the season, versus the New Orleans Saints, Davenport scored two first-half touchdowns before breaking his ankle. He was subsequently placed on injured reserve, effectively ending his season.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Davenport was released by the Packers on September 2, 2006, when the team made their final roster cuts. Six days later, on September 8, 2006, however, Davenport was signed to the roster of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He finished the 2006 season with a total of 221 rushing yards.

After the Steelers signed veteran running back Kevan Barlow, Davenport was facing competition with Barlow for the second and third string positions. However, Barlow was cut during training camp, and Davenport assumed the second-string responsibilities for Pittsburgh's opener against Cleveland. Davenport rushed for 43 yards on eight carries in the Steelers' 34–7 win.

Arguably his best game with the Steelers came on Thursday, December 20, 2007, against the St. Louis Rams. Davenport had 24 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown, as well as two catches for 44 yards and another touchdown. Davenport came into the game to relieve Willie Parker, who broke his fibula in the first quarter.

The Steelers released Davenport on June 28, 2008. He was re-signed on September 30 following injuries to Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall and Carey Davis. The Steelers released him again on November 8, only to re-sign him on November 27 due to the injury to Parker. Davenport was released once more on December 2.

Indianapolis Colts

Davenport was signed by the Indianapolis Colts on December 9, 2008. In two games with the Colts, he had eight rushes for 26 yards and caught four passes for 54 yards. He was released on January 3, 2009, after the team elevated offensive tackle Michael Toudouze from the practice squad.

NFL statistics

Rushing Statistics

Year Team Games Carries Yards Yards per Carry Longest Carry Touchdowns First Downs Fumbles Fumbles Lost
2002 GB 8 39 184 4.7 43 1 8 1 1
2003 GB 15 77 420 5.5 76 2 18 4 1
2004 GB 11 71 359 5.1 40 2 16 0 0
2005 GB 5 30 105 3.5 24 2 9 1 0
2006 PIT 13 60 221 3.7 48 1 9 1 0
2007 PIT 15 107 499 4.7 45 5 37 1 0
2008 PIT 4 2 5 2.5 3 0 2 0 0
2008 IND 2 8 26 3.3 8 0 1 0 0
Career 73 394 1,819 4.6 76 13 100 8 2

Receiving Statistics

Year Team Games Receptions Targets Yards Yards per Reception Longest Reception Touchdowns First Downs Fumbles Fumbles Lost
2002 GB 8 5 - 33 6.6 13 0 2 0 0
2003 GB 15 6 - 38 6.3 12 0 2 0 0
2004 GB 11 4 - 33 8.3 12 0 1 0 0
2005 GB 5 2 - 3 1.5 2 0 0 0 0
2006 PIT 13 15 21 193 12.9 32 1 9 0 0
2007 PIT 15 18 27 184 10.2 32 2 6 0 0
2008 IND 2 4 4 54 13.5 33 0 2 0 0
Career 73 54 52 538 10.0 33 3 22 0 0

Returning Statistics

Year Team Games Kickoff Return Attempts Kickoff Return Yards Kickoffs Returned for Touchdown Longest Kickoff Return
2002 GB 8 6 130 0 27
2003 GB 15 16 505 0 60
2004 GB 11 14 286 0 27
2005 GB 5 10 189 0 27
2006 PIT 13 21 448 0 40
2007 PIT 15 7 123 0 29
2008 PIT 4 10 217 0 27
2008 IND 2 5 107 0 26
Career 73 89 2,005 0 60

Personal life

Burglary and criminal mischief charge

Prior to entering the NFL, Davenport broke into the dorm room of a Barry University woman and defecated in a laundry basket on April 1, 2002. A woman sleeping in the room told police she was startled by a strange grunting sound and observed Davenport in a squatted position, evacuating his bowels and voiding into a laundry hamper in her closet. In a plea bargain, his felony charge of second-degree burglary and misdemeanor count of criminal mischief were dropped in exchange for his completing 100 hours of community service. Davenport maintained his innocence after the hearing, demanding outside of the courthouse, "Where's the evidence? Where's the manure? I know I didn't do it – I just wanted to get it over with."

During his career, Davenport was given the nicknames "Dookie" and "The Dump Truck." While playing for the Packers, a portable commode was placed inside of his locker during training camp as a rookie hazing prank, and a spirited letter writing campaign to the Green Bay team equipment manager asked in jest that he be issued jersey Number Two for practice, which was referenced for many years during the opening of the "D-List" show on WAUK ESPN 540 in Milwaukee before the station flipped format from sports talk to progressive talk. All are plays on the incident.

Alleged domestic violence

Davenport was charged in Cleveland with domestic violence, endangering, and unlawful restraint in an October 2007 incident involving the mother of his five-year-old son. He entered a plea of not guilty days later and the case went to trial on April 4, 2008. After a four-day trial, an eight-member jury spent three and a half hours deliberating before finding Davenport not guilty of all counts.

Race-based Discrimination in NFL Concussion Settlement

On October 25, 2020, Davenport and another ex-NFL player, Kevin Henry (cousin of professional wrestling great Mark Henry and coincidentally also an ex-Steeler), filed a lawsuit against the NFL stating the NFL used "race-norming" as a factor to determine neurocognitive impairment as part of the NFL's Concussion Settlement. The complaint stated that Black players' neurocognitive impairment score was adjusted by making an assumption that Black players started with a lower cognitive ability than a non-Black player. This adjustment made it more difficult for Black players to prove cognitive decline compared to non-Black players. On October 21, 2021, the NFL and lawyers for thousands of retired NFL players reached an agreement to end race-based adjustments in cognitive testing related to the NFL's Concussion Settlement.

References

  1. "2002 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  2. Dulac, Gerry (June 29, 2008). "Steelers release Davenport, three others". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved July 1, 2008.
  3. Bouchette, Ed; Gerry Dulac (September 30, 2008). "Steelers sign Davenport, likely to add Russell". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 30, 2008.
  4. "Pittsburgh Steelers Transactions at NFL.com". www.nfl.com.
  5. "DOOKIE LANDS IN INDY". December 9, 2008.
  6. ^ "Najeh Davenport Stats". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  7. Delio, Michelle. "Much Ado About Pigskin Poo". Wired.
  8. Brandt, Andrew (July 17, 2014). "'He Did What?!' True Tales from the NFL Dead Month".
  9. "Packers FB Davenport charged with burglary, mischief". CNN. Archived from the original on October 27, 2002.
  10. "Davenport agrees to community service". The Associated Press. October 29, 2002. Archived from the original on November 1, 2002.
  11. "Davenport agrees to community service". CNN. Archived from the original on November 1, 2002.
  12. "Najeh Davenport". USA Today. December 1, 2008. Archived from the original on July 13, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2009.
  13. Gallo, DJ (October 16, 2006). "Time to put fantasy into trades". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 7, 2008.
  14. Kolb, Garret L. (June 1, 2006). Spoiled Sports: Comical and Disturbing Stories of the 21st Century. Andrews McMeel Publishing. ISBN 9780740757044 – via Google Books.
  15. Erinpatricia (November 9, 2008). "ErinPatricia: The Dump Truck Gets Dumped".
  16. "The "D-List" show on ESPN 540 Milwaukee". Archived from the original on February 1, 2014.
  17. Caniglia, John (April 4, 2008). "Steelers running back on trial in Cleveland". The Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  18. Finder, Chuck (April 10, 2008). "Steelers' Davenport is not guilty on 3 charges". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  19. Vielmetti, Bruce (August 25, 2000). "Former Packer says NFL concussion settlements discriminate against Black players". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  20. "Class action complaint" (PDF). District court. August 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  21. Norman, Marc A.; Moore, David J.; Taylor, Michael; Franklin, Donald; Cysique, Lucette; Ake, Chris; Lazarretto, Deborah; Vaida, Florin; Heaton, Robert K. (August 2011). "Demographically Corrected Norms for African Americans and Caucasians on the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised, Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised, Stroop Color and Word Test, and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test 64-Card Version". Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology. 33 (7): 793–804. doi:10.1080/13803395.2011.559157. PMC 3154384. PMID 21547817.
  22. Dale, Maryclaire (October 19, 2021). "NFL, players agree to end 'race-norming' in $1B settlement". The Seattle Times. Retrieved October 29, 2024.

External links

2001 Miami Hurricanes football—consensus national champions
Green Bay Packers 2002 NFL draft selections
Categories: