Larry Centers

2025-10-29T00:14:47Z

108.189.198.203: Fixed typo. Fullback is one word, not two

{{Short description|American football player (born 1968)}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Larry Centers
| number = 37, 31
| position = [[Fullback (gridiron football)|Fullback]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1968|6|1}}
| birth_place = [[Tatum, Texas]], U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lb = 225
| high_school = [[Tatum Independent School District|Tatum (TX)]]
| college = [[Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football|Stephen F. Austin]] (1986–1989)
| draftyear = 1990
| draftround = 5
| draftpick = 115
| pastteams =
* [[Arizona Cardinals|Phoenix / Arizona Cardinals]] ({{NFL Year|1990|1998}})
* [[Washington Commanders|Washington Redskins]] ({{NFL Year|1999|2000}})
* [[Buffalo Bills]] ({{NFL Year|2001|2002}})
* [[New England Patriots]] ({{NFL Year|2003}})
| highlights =
* [[List of Super Bowl champions|Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XXXVIII|XXXVIII]])
* First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1996 All-Pro Team|1996]])
* 3× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1996 Pro Bowl|1995]], [[1997 Pro Bowl|1996]], [[2002 Pro Bowl|2001]])
; NFL record
* Most career catches by a fullback: 827
| statlabel1 = Rushing yards
| statvalue1 = 2,188
| statlabel2 = Rushing average
| statvalue2 = 3.6
| statlabel3 = Rushing [[touchdown]]s
| statvalue3 = 14
| statlabel4 = [[Reception (gridiron football)|Receptions]]
| statvalue4 = 827
| statlabel5 = Receiving yards
| statvalue5 = 6,797
| statlabel6 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 28
| pfr = C/CentLa00
}}

'''Larry Eugene Centers''' (born June 1, 1968) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] player who was a [[Fullback (gridiron football)|fullback]] in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) for 14 seasons, mostly the [[Arizona Cardinals|Phoenix / Arizona Cardinals]] (1990–1998). Centers then played for the [[Washington Commanders|Washington Redskins]] (1999–2000), the [[Buffalo Bills]] (2001–2002), and finally was a member of the [[New England Patriots]], with whom he won a Super Bowl.

Centers played [[college football]] for the [[Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football|Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks]]. One of the most prolific pass catching [[running back]]s in NFL history, he topped 100 [[Reception (gridiron football)|receptions]] in 1995 and had 99 receptions in 1996. He owns the NFL record for most passes caught by a running back during a career.<ref name="mainsourceBuffalo">{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22381110.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611091031/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22381110.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 11, 2014|title=Catch Him if you Can; For Ageless Larry Centers, It's Better to Be On The Receiving End|last=Gleason|first=Bucky|date=November 25, 2001|work=The Buffalo News|access-date=March 6, 2014}}</ref> He was selected to the [[Pro Bowl]] in 1995, 1996, and 2001.

==Early life==
Centers was born in [[Tatum, Texas]] and grew up in [[Longview, Texas|Longview]].<ref name="mainsourceBuffalo"/> He began playing little league football for the Bramlette Bears as a running back and quarterback during his [[elementary school]] years and went on to play in middle school for the Forest Park Eagles and high school for the Longview Lobos until his junior year. He played on both sides of the ball as a defensive back and runningback and wide receiver. Centers did not play football at all his junior year of high school. After his family moved to nearby [[Tatum, Texas|Tatum]], where his mother was an administrator in education, Centers decided to play football again after being urged to do so by his elder brother. After a solid season in Tatum, he earned a scholarship to nearby [[Stephen F. Austin State University]]. He was also recruited by Baylor, Texas Tech, and several junior colleges.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfaalumni.com/?page=notable |title=Notable Alumni – Stephen F. Austin State University Alumni Association |publisher=Sfaalumni.com |date=August 9, 2008|access-date=May 1, 2008}}</ref> His brother, Donnie, played for the [[University of Arkansas]] and coach [[Lou Holtz]] as a [[wide receiver]].<ref name="mainsourceBuffalo"/>

==College career==
After being recruited as a running back, wide receiver, and a defensive back, Centers began his [[college football]] career with the [[Division I-AA]] [[Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football|Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks]] as a wide receiver.<ref name="collegeearly">{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-80132995.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611132032/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-80132995.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 11, 2014|title=Good hands keep attention on Larry Centers.|last=Gosselin|first=Rick|date=November 16, 2001|work=Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service|access-date=May 1, 2014}}</ref> As a freshman, he broke his pinky finger on his left hand and was then assigned to play scout team running back and special teams. In his sophomore season against [[Nevada Wolf Pack football|Nevada]], an injury to the team's starting running back allowed Centers a chance to play.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} In the win, Centers rushed nine times for 96 yards and finished the season with 100-plus rushing yards in each of the remaining six games. He also led the Lumberjacks in receptions, rushing yards and yards from scrimmage during his junior and senior years. Centers was a two-time all-[[Southland Conference]] pick and set a school record for rushing yards in his senior season.<ref name="collegeearly"/> In 1989, with Centers as their starting running back, the Lumberjacks advanced to the [[1989 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game]] where they lost by a [[field goal]] to the [[Georgia Southern Eagles football|Georgia Southern Eagles]].

==Professional career==
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 10 3/4
| weight = 203
| broad ft = 8
| broad in = 10
| bench = 8
| arm span = 29 7/8
| hand span = 10 5/8
| note = All values from [[NFL Combine]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?f=Larry&l=Centers&i=25328 |title=Larry Centers, Combine Results, RB - Stephen F. Austin (TX) |website=nflcombineresults.com |access-date=January 7, 2023}}</ref>
}}

===Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals===
After graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University, Centers was selected by the Phoenix Cardinals in the fifth round of the [[1990 NFL draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1990/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="draft">{{cite web|url=http://www.azcardinals.com/history/all-time-draft.html |title=Arizona Cardinals All-Time Draft|work=azcardinals.com|publisher=NFL.com|access-date=February 4, 2014}}</ref> He saw limited playing time in his first two seasons, as head coach [[Joe Bugel]] had doubts on his ability to carry the ball and thought of him as a third-down running back.<ref name="mainsourceWil">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19970722&id=K7xOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=axUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3219,2584190|title=Cardinals plan to get ball to Centers/|date=July 22, 1997|work=Wilmington Morning Star|agency=Associated Press|access-date=February 4, 2014}}</ref> According to his coaches, Centers particularly needed work on his pass protection skills and he spent an entire off-season mastering the capability.<ref name="Superbowlalltime">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=20040128&id=L11IAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NgQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6419,3206886|title=Centers doesn't receive much attention.|last=Hackenburg|first=Dave|date=January 28, 2004|work=Toledo Blade|page=12|access-date=February 5, 2014}}</ref> His playing time started to increase and by 1992, Centers rushed for 139 yards and caught 50 passes for 417 yards.<ref name="ESPN">{{cite web|title=Larry Centers Stats|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/121/larry-centers|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|access-date=April 25, 2014}}</ref> On October 4, 1992, Centers scored the winning touchdown against the [[Washington Redskins]] with less than a minute remaining to break an 11-game Cardinals losing streak.<ref name="winningTD">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=886&dat=19921005&id=nSwOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qn0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4309,688694|title=Cardinals 'pick' on Washington|last=Reisner|first=Mel|date=October 5, 1992|work=The Prescott Courtier|agency=Associated Press|access-date=February 4, 2014}}</ref> The game-winning touchdown was the first of Centers' NFL career.

The role of the fullback as a ball carrier was starting to diminish as the NFL game evolved during the 1990s. Yet, Centers's offensive numbers only increased as the years went by, especially his receptions and his leadership ability.<ref name="released">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=894&dat=19990620&id=M5lOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ME0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6256,2756357|title=Centers is yet another Bidwell blunder.|last=Beeson|first=Dan|date=July 19, 1999|work=The Prescott Daily Courtier|access-date=February 4, 2014}}</ref> He caught 66 passes in his fourth NFL season.<ref name="ESPN" /> In 1994, Bugel was fired and replaced by Buddy Ryan. Ryan allowed Centers more opportunity to run with the ball, carrying the ball a career-high 115 times while catching 77 receptions.<ref name="mainsourceWil" /> In 1995, Centers had one of the greatest seasons ever of any modern day fullback, recording 101 receptions for 962 yards.<ref name="mainsourceWil" /> He became the first runningback to record 100 receptions. He held the record for most receptions by a running back with 101 until this record was broken by [[Matt Forte]] in 2014 with 102.<ref name="collegeearly" /><ref name="hundredreps">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=875&dat=19990616&id=xwcdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HVoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4725,7765540|title=Cardinals Release Centers|date=June 20, 1999|work=The Today's News Herald|agency=Associated Press|page=19A|access-date=February 4, 2014}}</ref> He also rushed for 254 yards, scored four touchdowns, and was selected to the [[Pro Bowl]] for the first time. Unfortunately, his team was not successful despite his contributions; they finished the 1995 season with a 4–12 record and Ryan was fired at the end of the year and replaced by [[Vince Tobin]].<ref name="mainsourceWil" />

In 1996, Centers recorded 99 receptions for 766 yards and seven touchdowns, while also gaining a career-high 425 yards on 116 carries, and he scored two touchdowns on the ground.<ref name="mainsourceWil" /> He was selected to the Pro Bowl for the second year in a row, but once again his team had a disappointing season, finishing with a 7–9 record. Centers became a [[free agent]] after the season. Both the Washington Redskins and the [[New York Giants]] were interested in his services, but ultimately he signed a three-year, $7.5 million contract to stay with the Cardinals after switching [[sports agent|agents]], becoming the fifth highest paid running back in the league.<ref name="freeagent">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=896&dat=19970316&id=bp4KAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ik0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=1596,2165618|title=Cards re-sign Centers to 3-year deal|date=March 16, 1997|work=The Prescott Daily Courier|agency=Associated Press|page=9|access-date=February 4, 2014}}</ref> After previously leading the team in receptions the last four seasons, the Cardinals started to try Centers in different offensive formations at [[wide receiver]].<ref name="mainsourceWil" /> Centers continued to be a major contributor to the Cardinals, recording 123 receptions and 386 rushing yards over the next two seasons.<ref name="ESPN" /> In his final year with Arizona (1998), the team recorded a 9–7 record and made the playoffs as a wild card. The Cardinals made it all the way to the divisional playoffs before being eliminated in a 41–21 loss to the [[Minnesota Vikings]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Darren Urban |url=http://blog.azcardinals.com/2011/07/15/revisionist-history-a-playoff-pounding-in-dallas/ |title=Word From the Birds Blog {{pipe}} Revisionist History: A playoff pounding in Dallas |work=Cardinals Blogs |date=July 15, 2011 |publisher=Blog.azcardinals.com |access-date=May 1, 2013}}</ref> Centers finished his Cardinals career as the team's all-time leading pass catcher.<ref name="released" />

===Washington Redskins===
Citing durability and [[salary cap]] concerns, the Cardinals released Centers on June 19, 1999.<ref name="released" /><ref name="walked">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=894&dat=19990803&id=l5sKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Pk0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2128,353769|title=Boston Agrees to Four-Year Deal|last=Baum|first=Bob |date=August 3, 1999|work=The Prescott Daily Courtier|agency=Associated Press|pages=5, 7|access-date=February 4, 2014}}</ref> At the time of his release, Centers was considered "the heart and soul" of the Cardinals offense.<ref name="released" /> He signed with the Washington Redskins and quickly became a team leader, recording 69 receptions in his first season with the team.<ref name="ESPN" /><ref name="Redskinsleader">{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-68422443.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611135059/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-68422443.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 11, 2014|title=Newcomers Step Up To Give Redskins Needed Leadership|last=Ducibella|first=Jim |date=September 21, 1999|work=The Virginian-Pilot|access-date=May 1, 2014}}</ref> During a crucial game against the 49ers, Centers caught a 33-yard touchdown pass in overtime, which made the Redskins the NFC Eastern division champs for the first time since 1991 and gave the team a playoff berth. The Redskins finished the regular season with a 10–6 record but were eliminated in the divisional playoffs by the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]], 14–13.<ref name="playoffredskins">{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/redskins/longterm/1999/gamerep/week16/game27.htm |last=Clark|first=Liz|title=Redskins Return to the Playoffs |work=Washingtonpost.com |date=December 27, 1999|access-date=February 4, 2014}}</ref> The following year, he caught 81 passes for 600 yards, rushed for 103 yards, and used his blocking to help running back [[Stephen Davis (American football)|Stephen Davis]] achieve star numbers, 1,318 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. He passed [[Keith Byars]] for most receptions by a running back.<ref name="mainsourceBuffalo" /> However, the Redskins recorded only an 8–8 record that year and did not make the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2000 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2000/ |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

===Buffalo Bills===
In 2001, Centers signed with the Buffalo Bills and made it to his third [[Pro Bowl]] appearance, catching 80 passes, this time for a total of 620 yards, with 160 yards rushing and four touchdowns.<ref name="ESPN" /> In the fourth quarter of a 23–20 loss against the [[Seattle Seahawks]], he surpassed [[Ronnie Harmon]]'s record for most receiving yards by an NFL running back with a two-yard reception.<ref name="mainsourceBuffalo" /> He also surpassed Hall of Famers [[Charlie Joiner]] and [[Michael Irvin]] to reach the top ten in all-time receptions by a player.<ref name="mainsourceBuffalo" />

===New England Patriots===
After spending another year with Buffalo, Centers joined the Patriots in 2003.<ref name="Superbowlalltime" /> By this time, 35-year-old Centers' role as a receiver (along with ball carrier) had diminished. He was released after the sixth game of the season due to a knee injury, before re-signing with the Patriots in December.<ref name="Superbowlalltime" /> He recorded 19 receptions for 106 yards and rushed for 82 yards.<ref name="ESPN" /> Still, his blocking contributions as part of the Patriots offense allowed him to earn a Super Bowl ring; New England finished the season with a 14–2 record and went on to defeat the [[Carolina Panthers]] 32–29 in [[Super Bowl XXXVIII]].<ref name="d241">{{cite web | last=Hack | first=Damon | title=Patriots Win 2nd Super Bowl in 3 Years | website=The New York Times | date=2004-02-02 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/02/sports/patriots-win-2nd-super-bowl-in-3-years.html | access-date=2024-12-25}}</ref>

Centers retired from professional football before the beginning of the 2004 season.

===Career achievements===
In his 14 NFL seasons, Centers rushed for 2,188 yards, caught 827 passes for 6,797 yards, returned five punts for 30 yards, returned 33 kickoffs for 617 yards and scored 42 touchdowns (14 rushing/28 receiving).<ref name="ESPN"/>

Centers' 827 receptions are currently the most by any running back and were the most by any non-wide receiver in NFL history, until tight end [[Tony Gonzalez]] surpassed this mark in 2008.<ref name="Superbowlalltime"/> He caught passes in 128 consecutive games, at one point the third longest streak in the NFL.<ref name="collegeearly"/> When Centers retired, he was seventh in passes caught in league history.<ref name="Superbowlalltime"/> Because NFL fullbacks are now almost exclusively used as blockers, Centers is widely recognized as one of the greatest pass receiving fullbacks.<ref name="collegeearly"/><ref name="Superbowlalltime"/>

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|-
! colspan="2"| Legend
|-
| style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|
| Won the [[Super Bowl]]
|-
| '''Bold'''
| Career high
|}

===Regular season===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="5"| Rushing
! colspan="5"| Receiving
|-
! GP !! GS !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD
|-
! [[1990 NFL season|1990]] !! [[1990 Phoenix Cardinals season|PHO]]
| 6 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[1991 NFL season|1991]] !! [[1991 Phoenix Cardinals season|PHO]]
| 9 || 2 || 14 || 44 || 3.1 || 8 || 0 || 19 || 176 || 9.3 || 23 || 0
|-
! [[1992 NFL season|1992]] !! [[1992 Phoenix Cardinals season|PHO]]
| '''16''' || 1 || 37 || 139 || 3.8 || 28 || 0 || 50 || 417 || 8.3 || 26 || 2
|-
! [[1993 NFL season|1993]] !! [[1993 Phoenix Cardinals season|PHO]]
| '''16''' || 9 || 25 || 152 || '''6.1''' || 33 || 0 || 66 || 603 || 9.1 || 29 || 3
|-
! [[1994 NFL season|1994]] !! [[1994 Arizona Cardinals season|ARI]]
| '''16''' || 5 || 115 || 336 || 2.9 || 17 || '''5''' || 77 || 647 || 8.4 || 36 || 2
|-
! [[1995 NFL season|1995]] !! [[1995 Arizona Cardinals season|ARI]]
| '''16''' || 10 || 78 || 254 || 3.3 || 20 || 2 || '''101''' || '''962''' || '''9.5''' || 32 || 2
|-
! [[1996 NFL season|1996]] !! [[1996 Arizona Cardinals season|ARI]]
| '''16''' || '''14''' || '''116''' || '''425''' || 3.7 || 24 || 2 || 99 || 766 || 7.7 || 39 || '''7'''
|-
! [[1997 NFL season|1997]] !! [[1997 Arizona Cardinals season|ARI]]
| 15 || '''14''' || 101 || 276 || 2.7 || 14 || 1 || 54 || 409 || 7.6 || 29 || 1
|-
! [[1998 NFL season|1998]] !! [[1998 Arizona Cardinals season|ARI]]
| '''16''' || 12 || 31 || 110 || 3.5 || 14 || 0 || 69 || 559 || 8.1 || '''54''' || 2
|-
! [[1999 NFL season|1999]] !! [[1999 Washington Redskins season|WAS]]
| '''16''' || 12 || 13 || 51 || 3.9 || 12 || 0 || 69 || 544 || 7.9 || 33 || 3
|-
! [[2000 NFL season|2000]] !! [[2000 Washington Redskins season|WAS]]
| 15 || 6 || 19 || 103 || 5.4 || 14 || 0 || 81 || 600 || 7.4 || 26 || 3
|-
! [[2001 NFL season|2001]] !! [[2001 Buffalo Bills season|BUF]]
| '''16''' || 13 || 34 || 160 || 4.7 || '''50''' || 2 || 80 || 620 || 7.8 || 26 || 2
|-
! [[2002 NFL season|2002]] !! [[2002 Buffalo Bills season|BUF]]
| '''16''' || 7 || 11 || 56 || 5.1 || 13 || 2 || 43 || 388 || 9.0 || 25 || 0
|-
! [[2003 NFL season|2003]] !! style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"| [[2003 New England Patriots season|NWE]]
| 9 || 3 || 21 || 82 || 3.9 || 13 || 0 || 19 || 106 || 5.6 || 14 || 1
|-
! colspan="2"| !! 198 !! 108 !! 615 !! 2,188 !! 3.6 !! 50 !! 14 !! 827 !! 6,797 !! 8.2 !! 54 !! 28
|}

===Playoffs===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="5"| Rushing
! colspan="5"| Receiving
|-
! GP !! GS !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD
|-
! [[1998 NFL season|1998]] !! [[1998 Arizona Cardinals season|ARI]]
| 2 || '''2''' || '''3''' || 5 || 1.7 || 6 || 0 || 9 || 61 || 6.8 || 12 || '''1'''
|-
! [[1999 NFL season|1999]] !! [[1999 Washington Redskins season|WAS]]
| 2 || 1 || 2 || '''10''' || '''5.0''' || '''7''' || 0 || '''10''' || '''69''' || 6.9 || 17 || 0
|-
! [[2003 NFL season|2003]] !! style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"| [[2003 New England Patriots season|NWE]]
| '''3''' || '''2''' || 2 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 32 || '''16.0''' || '''28''' || 0
|-
! colspan="2"| !! 7 !! 5 !! 7 !! 15 !! 2.1 !! 7 !! 0 !! 21 !! 162 !! 7.7 !! 28 !! 1
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Phoenix Cardinals 1990 draft navbox}}
{{Super Bowl XXXVIII}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Centers, Larry}}
[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American Conference Pro Bowl players]]
[[Category:American football fullbacks]]
[[Category:Arizona Cardinals players]]
[[Category:Buffalo Bills players]]
[[Category:New England Patriots players]]
[[Category:National Conference Pro Bowl players]]
[[Category:Phoenix Cardinals players]]
[[Category:Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football players]]
[[Category:Washington Redskins players]]
[[Category:People from Tatum, Texas]]

Vero - Wikipedia - User contributions [en]

Larry Centers