Todd Heap
- Baltimore Ravens (2001 - 2010)
- Arizona Cardinals (2011 - present)
- 2 × Pro Bowl (2002, 2003)
Todd Benjamin Heap ( born March 16, 1980 in Mesa, Arizona) is an American professional American football player at the position of tight ends. The 1.96 meter tall heap plays for the Arizona Cardinals in the National Football League ( NFL).
Biography
Heap, who comes from a deeply religious family, was in his childhood by his parents from the "too harsh " American football held and originally played basketball. It was only as a teenager his talent was recognized, and at Arizona State University, he was the local football team, the Sun Devils, a valuable tight end. For his safety catch earned him the honorary title of " Hands of Glue" ( Eng.: Leimhände ).
Baltimore Ravens
The NFL Draft 2001 NFL heap by reigning champions, the Baltimore Ravens, was drafted at # 31 out. In 2002 he began six touchdowns and posted 836 yards extra space, for which he was elected to the Pro Bowl. The following year, he scored three touchdowns and had 693 receiving yards for space savings well, so he made it back to the Pro Bowl.
Since the Ravens with the multiple Pro Bowl players Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Ed Reed, although had a very good defense, but not a good quarterback (neither Elvis Grbac even Kyle Boller scored a career quarterback rating of over 80 ), lacked the team of coach Brian Billick the offense being able to mix up. After injury problems in 2004, Heap had 2005 ( seven touchdowns, 855 yards) and 2006 ( six touchdowns, 765 receiving yards ) good years before he again paused long injury 2007.
2008 Heap returned to a rebuilt team, where John Harbaugh replaced the hapless Billick and rookie Joe Flacco played quarterback. As running backs Willis McGahee and Ray Rice played in the backfield. With this team Heap reached the finals of the American Football Conference (AFC ), but there it failed with 14-23 to their rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2009, stabilized heap ( six touchdowns, 593 receiving yards ), as the Ravens again reached the play-offs, but in the Conference semi-finals of the later masters, the Indianapolis Colts were defeated 3-20. In the next season, Heap wore with five touchdowns and 599 receiving yards to the fact that the Ravens again reached the AFC final, where they again but with 24-31 again subject to the Steelers.
On July 28, 2011 Heap was released by the Baltimore Ravens.
Arizona Cardinals
On July 31, 2011 Todd Heap signed a two -year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. This heap returned to his homeland.
Private life
Heap is married with his wife Ashley and has three children with her. Like his parents, Deena and John and his two sisters and three brothers, he is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ( LDS), regularly donates 10% of his NFL salary and rejects the use of alcohol and tobacco. Heaps ancestor emigrated in 1841 together with church founder Joseph Smith from England to the United States, and his great-great- grandfather John Henry Heap was the first LDS missionary for the state of Arizona.
Heap has a degree in business administration. In his spare time he likes to mountain bike. About his mother he is related to the College Football Hall of Fame quarterback Danny White.