Chris Redman

Chris James Redman (born July 7, 1977) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

He helped lead the Bulldogs to the Kentucky Class 4A 1993 state championship (Kentucky's largest class at the time).

The Cardinals had a huge turnaround from the season before, going 7–4 in the regular season and participating in a bowl game for the first time since 1993.

He was a two-time All-State quarterback and Parade's National Player of the Year in 1994 after setting national high school records for most touchdown passes in a season (57) and most touchdown passes in a half (8, twice), the latter of which still has not been broken according to NFLHS.com.

As a top blue chip recruit, Redman was sought-after by many top college football programs.

In-state Louisville was Redman's first choice, giving a verbal commitment in 1994.

That changed when coach Howard Schnellenberger left to take the head coaching job at Oklahoma, taking offensive coordinator Gary Nord along with him.

Schnellenberger did not recruit Redman further out of respect to his former employer, although Redman himself would back out of his commitment.

Redman then turned his attention to the Illinois, giving them a commitment based on the recruiting efforts of Illini offensive coordinator Greg Landry.

Illini head coach Lou Tepper ignited a controversy when he unexpectedly fired Landry the day after Redman signed his letter of commitment.

Tepper denied any attempt to deceive Redman about Landry's future at Illinois and eventually released Redman from his commitment.

The losses of Landry and Redman damaged Tepper's reputation among fans and media.

The NCAA decided to void the LOC based on the unusual circumstances, restoring Redman to full eligibility and without transfer restrictions.

In the spring of 1995, Redman visited Tennessee and Auburn before deciding to follow Schnellenberg to Oklahoma, giving another verbal commitment.

That commitment lasted only a few months, as Redman backed out based on concerns about the depth chart and distance from home.

In the summer of 1995, Redman signed a letter of intent to play college football at Louisville, his original choice, under new head coach Ron Cooper.

Redman completed his college career as the NCAA Division I-A career leader in passing completions (1,031) and attempts (1,679).

His 12,541 career passing yards ranked third behind Brigham Young's Ty Detmer (15,031 yards) and Louisiana Tech's Tim Rattay (12,746).

Redman threw 84 touchdown passes and 51 interceptions and still holds virtually every single game, single season and career passing record at the University of Louisville.

Redman played in 10 games as a redshirt freshman in 1996, starting the final five, and earned Conference USA All-Freshman honors after he threw for more than 1,700 yards.

In his first legitimate college action, coming off the bench to replace injured starter Jason Payne, Redman amassed 325 yards and three touchdowns in Louisville's come-from-behind win at Michigan State.

As a sophomore in 1997, Redman started all 11 games and shattered single-season school passing marks in attempts (445), completions (261), yards (3,079) and total offense (2,958).

Louisville struggled to a 1–10 record and head coach Ron Cooper was fired.

In 1998, under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino and new head coach John L. Smith, Redman started 10 of 11 regular-season games as a junior and established Conference USA and Louisville season records for attempts (473), completions (309), yards (4,042) and touchdowns (29) despite missing a game because of a knee injury.

His 404.2 yards-per-game average was the fifth highest in Division I-A history.

On November 14, 1998, Redman torched East Carolina by completing 44 of 56 passes (with six touchdown passes) for 592 yards—the 10th-best single-game yardage total of all time.

As a senior in 1999, Redman started every game and completed 317 of 489 passes for 3,647 yards with 29 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

He became the first quarterback in Division I-A history to complete more than 1,000 passes in a career, and he matched the I-A record for most seasons (three) with at least 3,000 passing yards.

Redman received the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (named for the former University of Louisville and Baltimore Colts star), which is presented each year to the nation's top senior quarterback.

Redman was the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year, guiding Louisville to seven come-from-behind wins and helping the Cardinals make their second consecutive bowl appearance.

He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft.

Redman spent four seasons with the Ravens, primarily serving as a backup, and was part of the team that won a Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XXXV.

Redman's professional career began when he was selected in the third round (75th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens.

He was the third quarterback taken and one of the six drafted ahead of Tom Brady.

Redman threw just 19 yards that year as he backed up Tony Banks and Trent Dilfer.

Redman earned a Super Bowl ring that year when the Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV.

In 2001, despite Banks and Dilfer both leaving, Redman did not play at all that year as veterans Elvis Grbac and Randall Cunningham took the snaps.

On October 6, 2002, Redman had arguably his best outing as a pro, completing 19 of 30 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions in a 26–21 victory at division-rival Cleveland.

After four years away from the NFL, he returned in 2007 with the Atlanta Falcons, where he played his last five seasons.

Redman played high school football at Louisville Male High School, where his father, Bob Redman, was the veteran head coach.