View source for Todd Pinkston

{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1977)}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| image        = 
| currentteam  = Kansas City Chiefs
| position     = <!--[[Wide receiver]]-->Running backs coach
| number       = <!--87--> 
| career_position     =wr
| career_number       =87
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1977|4|23}}
| birth_place  = [[Forest, Mississippi]], U.S.
| death_date   =
| death_place  = 
| height_ft    = 6
| height_in    = 3
| weight_lbs   = 180
| high_school  = [[Forest High School (Mississippi)|Forest]]
| college      = [[Southern Miss Golden Eagles|Southern Miss]]
| draftyear    = 2000
| draftround   = 2
| draftpick    = 36
| pastteams    =
* [[Philadelphia Eagles]] ({{NFL Year|2000}}–{{NFL Year|2005}})
* [[Minnesota Vikings]] ({{NFL Year|2006}})*
* [[Washington Redskins]] ({{NFL Year|2007}})*
| pastcoaching =
*  [[Austin Peay Governors football|Austin Peay]] (2016–2021)<br> Wide receivers coach
* [[Kansas City Chiefs]] ({{NFL Year|2023}}–present)<br />Running backs coach
| highlights   =
*[[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl LVIII|LVIII]])
| statlabel1   = [[Reception (American football)|Receptions]]
| statvalue1   = 184
| statlabel2   = [[Receiving yards]]
| statvalue2   = 2,816
| statlabel3   = [[Touchdown|Receiving touchdowns]]
| statvalue3   = 14
| pfr          = PinkTo00 
}}
'''Todd Pinkston''' (born April 23, 1977) is an American [[American football|football]] coach and former professional player who is the [[running back]]s coach for the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL). He played five seasons professionally as a [[wide receiver]] with the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] where he caught 184 passes for 2,816&nbsp;yards and 14 touchdowns.  The Eagles went to the playoffs every year that he started, including an appearance in [[Super Bowl XXXIX]]. He also is the cousin of former offensive lineman [[Jason Pinkston]].  He was inducted to the [[Southern Miss Golden Eagles|Southern Miss]] Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.<ref>
{{cite web|title=M-Club to Induct 2011 Sports Hall of Fame Class|url=https://southernmiss.com/news/2011/9/12/M_Club_to_Induct_2011_Sports_Hall_of_Fame_Class.aspx|publisher=[[southernmiss.com]]|date=September 12, 2001}}</ref> Todd Pinkston was inducted into the Scott County Sports Hall of Fame in his hometown of Forest, Miss., in 2015.

==Playing career==

===College career===
At the [[University of Southern Mississippi]], where he joined the Theta Eta chapter of [[Phi Beta Sigma]] fraternity, he graduated as the school's second all-time leading receiver with 149 catches for 2,366&nbsp;yards and 22 touchdowns, including 48 receptions for 977&nbsp;yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior.

===Professional career===

====Philadelphia Eagles====
Despite his success in college, Pinkston's selection in the second round of the [[2000 NFL draft]] by the Philadelphia Eagles raised some eyebrows due to his slight build.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2000 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2000/draft.htm |access-date=March 19, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> At 6 feet 3&nbsp;inches tall{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}, Pinkston reportedly weighed only 167 pounds at the time of the draft.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

After seeing only slight action in [[2000 NFL season|2000]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Todd Pinkston 2000 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PinkTo00/gamelog/2000/ |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Pinkston took over as a starter in [[2001 NFL season|2001]] following the release of [[Charles Everett Johnson (football)|Charles Johnson]] and [[Torrance Small]]. Partnering with [[James Thrash]], Pinkston caught 42 balls for 586&nbsp;yards and four touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Todd Pinkston 2001 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PinkTo00/gamelog/2001/ |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> In [[2002 NFL season|2002]], Pinkston enjoyed his best year. He hauled in 60 receptions for 798&nbsp;yards and seven touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Todd Pinkston 2002 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PinkTo00/gamelog/2002/ |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> His performance that season earned him a five-year contract extension with the Eagles, which included a large signing bonus.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pasquarelli |first=Len |date=August 15, 2003 |title=Extension locks up wide receiver through 2008 |url=http://static.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1596828.html |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref>

Pinkston's numbers dipped slightly in [[2003 NFL season|2003]], but he was productive down the stretch and registered a key touchdown in a playoff game against the [[Green Bay Packers]]. Unfortunately, the next week, Pinkston was held catchless by [[Carolina Panthers]] cornerback, [[Ricky Manning Jr.]]  Manning snagged three interceptions, and the Eagles lost the [[NFL playoffs, 2003-04|2003 NFC Championship]] 14–3, the third consecutive defeat suffered by the team in the conference title game.

Criticism of Pinkston turned particularly harsh after a game against the [[Washington Redskins]] on December 12, 2004, when Pinkston was accused of giving up on a catchable pass across the middle.  ESPN analyst [[Joe Theismann]] commented "...this is a great way to lose your job as a receiver in the National Football League."  However, later that half Pinkston was the recipient of an 80-yard pass from [[Donovan McNabb]], furthering the paradox between his big play potential and his reluctance to run routes in traffic.

This negative publicity notwithstanding, Pinkston's 18.8&nbsp;yards-per-catch average for the [[2004 NFL season|2004]] regular season was exceeded by only one other NFL receiver with as many or more receptions than the 36 he recorded ([[Ashley Lelie]] of the [[Denver Broncos]] averaged 20.1), and his six catches gaining 40 or more yards was topped by only three other receivers (teammate [[Terrell Owens]], who had nine, and [[Javon Walker]] of the [[Green Bay Packers]] and [[Dennis Northcutt]] of the [[Cleveland Browns]] with seven each).

After having made four receptions for 82&nbsp;yards in [[Super Bowl XXXIX]], Pinkston was forced to leave the game with leg cramps.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XXXIX - New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles - February 6th, 2005 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200502060nwe.htm |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

On August 5, 2005, Pinkston sustained a torn [[Achilles tendon]] in training camp practice, putting him out for the [[2005 NFL season|2005 season]].

During the [[2006 NFL season|2006]] pre-season, he was still hobbled from his Achilles injury, only catching one pass for four yards. On August 29, 2006, Pinkston was released by the Eagles following the acquisition of [[Donté Stallworth]].

====Minnesota Vikings====
On September 3, 2006, Pinkston signed a one-year contract with the [[Minnesota Vikings]], whose head coach, [[Brad Childress]], was the former Eagles [[offensive coordinator]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pasquarelli |first=Len  |date=September 2, 2006 |title=Pinkston agrees to deal with receiver-needy Vikings |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2569480 |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>  Pinkston was cut six days later on September 9.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pasquarelli |first=Len  |date=September 9, 2006 |title=Can't catch on: Vikes release Pinkston |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2580757 |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>

====Washington Redskins====
On August 13, 2007, Pinkston, recovered from his Achilles injury, signed with the [[Washington Redskins]], but failed to make the team's final roster.

====NFL statistics====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+Regular season
! rowspan="2" |Year
! rowspan="2" |Team
! rowspan="2" |GP
! colspan="6" |Receiving
! colspan="6" |Rushing
|-
! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! FD !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! FD
|-
! [[2000 NFL season|2000]] || [[2000 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]
| '''16''' || 10 || 181 || 18.1 || 45 || 0 || 7 || — || — || — || — || — || — 
|-
! [[2001 NFL season|2001]] || [[2001 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]
| 15 || 42 || 586 || 14.0 || 62 || 4 || 23 || '''1''' || '''5''' || '''5.0''' || '''5''' || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2002 NFL season|2002]] || [[2002 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]
| 15 || '''60''' || '''798''' || 13.3 || 42 || '''7''' || '''40''' || '''1''' || -15 || -15.0 || -15 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2003 NFL season|2003]] || [[2003 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]
| '''16''' || 36 || 575 || 16.0 || 59 || 2 || 22 || '''1''' || -11 || -11.0 || -11 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2004 NFL season|2004]] || [[2004 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]
| '''16''' || 36 || 676 || '''18.8''' || '''80''' || 1 || 24 || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
! colspan="2" |Career<ref name=ESPN>{{cite web|title=Todd Pinkston Stats|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/2167/todd-pinkston|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref> !! 78 !! 184 !! 2,816 !! 15.3 !! 80 !! 14 !! 116 !! 3 !! -21 !! -7.0 !! 5 !! 9 !! 0
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+Postseason
! rowspan="2" |Year
! rowspan="2" |Team
! rowspan="2" |GP
! colspan="6" |Receiving
|-
! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! FD
|-
! [[2000–01 NFL playoffs|2000]] || [[2000 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]
| 2 || 1 || 5 || 5.0 || 5 || 0 || 1
|-
! [[2001–02 NFL playoffs|2001]] || [[2001 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]
| '''3''' || '''8''' || 93 || 11.6 || 41 || '''1''' || 4
|-
! [[2002–03 NFL playoffs|2002]] || [[2002 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]
| 2 || '''8''' || 99 || 12.4 || 24 || 0 || 5
|-
! [[2003–04 NFL playoffs|2003]] || [[2003 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]
| 2 || 7 || 95 || 13.6 || '''45''' || '''1''' || 5
|-
! [[2004–05 NFL playoffs|2004]] || [[2004 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]
| '''3''' || '''8''' || '''141''' || '''17.6''' || 40 || 0 || '''7'''
|-
! colspan="2" |Career !! 12 !! 32 !! 433 !! 13.5 !! 45 !! 2 !! 22
|}

==Coaching career==
Pinkston was hired by his former team, the [[Philadelphia Eagles]], as a coaching intern during training camp and the preseason in 2009. He assisted [[wide receiver]]s coach [[David Culley]] in coaching his unit.<ref>{{cite web |author=Kent, Bob |title=Where Are They Now: WR Todd Pinkston |url=http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Where-Are-They-Now-WR-Todd-Pinkston/8F47A4BF-CC46-4A65-A9B5-7550DEBAD6D8 |publisher=PhiladelphiaEagles.com |date=November 14, 2009 |access-date=September 28, 2011}}</ref>  He also served as the receivers' coach at Petal High School located in [[Petal, Mississippi]], just across the Leaf River from Hattiesburg. He was the wide receiver's coach for [[Austin Peay State University]] in Clarksville, Tennessee from 2016 to 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allison |first=Autumn |date=March 23, 2016 |title=Ex-Eagles WR expected to join APSU football staff |url=https://www.theleafchronicle.com/story/sports/college/apsu/football/2016/03/22/ex-eagles-wr-expected-join-apsu-football-staff/82141402/ |access-date=May 16, 2019 |website=The Leaf Chronicle |language=en}}</ref>

On March 17, 2023, Pinkston was hired as the running backs coach for the [[Kansas City Chiefs]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 17, 2023 |title=Chiefs' coaching staff additions include Todd Pinkston and Andy Reid's son Spencer |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/03/17/chiefs-coaching-staff-additions-include-todd-pinkston-and-andy-reids-son-spencer/ |access-date=April 9, 2023 |website=ProFootballTalk |language=en-US}}</ref> Pinkston became a [[Super Bowl champion]] when the Chiefs defeated the [[San Francisco 49ers]] 25–22 in [[Super Bowl LVIII]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maaddi |first=Rob |date=February 12, 2024 |title=Patrick Mahomes rallies the Chiefs to second straight Super Bowl title, 25-22 over 49ers in overtime |url=https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2024-score-chiefs-49ers-49b5dca51c05ab0f259cef0d7da76c2d |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{NFL running backs coach navbox}}
{{Eagles2000DraftPicks}}
{{Super Bowl LVIII}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pinkston, Todd}}
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:American football wide receivers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Forest, Mississippi]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Eagles players]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Mississippi]]
[[Category:Southern Miss Golden Eagles football players]]
[[Category:University of Southern Mississippi people|Alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:Coaches of American football from Mississippi]]
[[Category:Kansas City Chiefs coaches]]
[[Category:Minnesota Vikings players]]
[[Category:Washington Redskins players]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Eagles coaches]]
[[Category:High school football coaches in Mississippi]]
[[Category:Austin Peay Governors football coaches]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]