Tony Parrish

Anthony W. Parrish (born November 23, 1975) is an American former professional football player who was a safety for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

Parrish recorded four 14-tackle games with the Bears and was the first Bear since Mike Singletary (1980) to record 100 tackles in each of his first three seasons.

He was named the 1993 Orange County Track Athlete of the Year.

As a football player, Parrish was first team All-County as a safety, and also played tailback his senior year, totaling 415 yards and eight touchdowns.

Parrish was recruited to play at the University of Washington after his high school coach brought his highlight tape to a Husky Rose Bowl practice at a community college just a few miles from his high school.

Parrish attended the University of Washington, where he played for the Washington Huskies football team from 1993 to 1997 in the Pacific-10 Conference and majored in psychology.

He redshirted as a true freshman, and then went on to record 21 tackles and two interceptions during his first year of playing.

As a sophomore and freshman, Parrish started a combined eight games at strong safety.

He then went on to start every game as a junior at free safety.

Parrish was named first-team All-PAC-10, recording 71 tackles, along with two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, eight passes defended, and two interceptions.

As a senior, Parrish was named a team captain and led the huskies to an 8–4 record; he was also second-team All-Pac-10 and a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.

He recorded 81 tackles, six interceptions (team-leading), four passes defended, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two touchdowns.

In the Aloha Bowl that year, the Huskies beat Michigan State 51–23, a game that included Parrish returning an interception 56 yards for a touchdown.

While Parrish played for the University of Washington, the Huskies recorded a 31-15 overall record, along with a 22–9–1 record in the Pacific-10 Conference.

From 1994 to 1997, Parrish played in 46 of the 47 games he was eligible to play in during his career at the University of Washington.

Parrish lettered twice in track and field for the University of Washington, competing in the triple jump, 55-meter dash, 100-meter dash, and in the 4 × 100 metres relay.

He played college football for the Washington Huskies and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft with the 35th overall pick.

Parrish was selected by the Chicago Bears with the fifth pick of the second round (35th overall) in the 1998 NFL Draft.

Parrish started week one at free safety against the Jacksonville Jaguars and recorded a team-leading 14 tackles, three forced fumbles, and a recovered fumble.

Parrish went on to start every game his rookie year, tallying 111 tackles, a sack, an interception and five forced fumbles.

His rookie year, Parrish was named to the Pro Football Weekly 1998 All-Rookie team.

Following his rookie year, Parrish was also voted by his teammates as the recipient of the Brian Piccolo Award as a testament to his character.

In 1999, the Chicago Bears moved Parrish from free safety to strong safety where he started all 16 games.

He improved during his second year in the NFL, recording a career-high 124 tackles, which was second on the team.

In week 11 of the 2000 NFL season, Parrish returned an interception for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter, which eventually secured a win for the Bears with a final score of 13–10.

In 2000 and 2001, he had three interceptions each year, starting every game each year at strong safety.

In 2001, Tony's last year with the Bears, he paired with Mike Brown (free safety) to be one of the leading safety duos in the NFL.

In 2001, he helped lead the bears' defense in giving up the fewest points in the NFL.

The Bears finished as Champions of the NFC Central with a 13-3 regular season record.

While with the Bears, Parrish was best known for providing solid run support and for his big hits on receivers over the middle of the field.

Parrish signed with the San Francisco 49ers on a five-year deal following the 2001 NFL season.

Prior to the 49ers April minicamp, Parrish has his right testicle removed in an operation after discovering a tumor in an exam on a nagging groin injury.

In his first season with the 49ers, Parrish recorded seven interceptions.

He was an Associated Press All-Pro in 2003, and is listed on the 49ers' All-2000s team.

Parrish was also a member of the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, and Las Vegas Locomotives.

Parrish grew up in Huntington Beach, California with a love for soccer and played for the North Huntington Beach Soccer Club (The Pirates).

Parrish's team won 3 California State titles and a National Championship.

Parrish starred in multiple sports at Marina High School (Huntington Beach, California), including basketball, baseball, football, and track and field.

Parrish was a two-time California state triple jump champion with a personal best of 50 – 11.75 inches.

On October 10, 2009, Parrish was named a Husky Legend, a prestigious group that recognizes significant contributions to the husky football program.