Stephen Davis (American football)

Infobox NFLretired


name=Stephen Davis
|caption=
position=Running back
number=48
birthdate=birth date and age|1974|3|1
Spartanburg, South Carolina
debutyear=1996
finalyear=2006
draftyear=1996
draftround=4
draftpick=102
college=Auburn
teams=
* Washington Redskins (1996-2002)
* Carolina Panthers (2003-2005)
* St. Louis Rams (2006)
* Carolina Panthers (2008)

stat1label=Rushing Yards
stat1value=8,052
stat2label=Average
stat2value=4.1
stat3label=Touchdowns
stat3value=65
nfl=DAV751941
highlights=
* 3x Pro Bowl selection (1999, 2000, 2003)
* 1x All-Pro selection (1999)
* Led NFL in rushing TD's in 1999 with 17

Stephen Lamont Davis (born March 1, 1974, in Spartanburg, South Carolina) is a retired American football running back in the National Football League.

College career

Davis played three years (1993, 1994, 1995) for Auburn University starting in his sophomore year. He made the All-SEC team his last two seasons and graduated as the team's fourth all-time leading rusher behind Joe Cribbs, James Brooks, and Bo Jackson. He was also a letterman for all three seasons.

NFL career

Davis was taken in the fourth round (103rd overall) in the 1996 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. Davis was primarily used as a fullback, and was part of the Redskins' backfield with Terry Allen. He spent three seasons as a backup and fullback before getting the starting nod at the start of the 1999 NFL season. This was Davis' breakout season, when he posted career highs, and ended up representing the NFC in the Pro Bowl. He led the NFC in yards rushing with 1,405, and led the league in yards per carry (4.8). He was also the league's leading non-kicking scorer, posting 108 points on 17 touchdowns and one two-point conversion. He continued to post high numbers the following season en route to his second straight Pro Bowl selection. In 2001, Davis rushed for 1,432, breaking the record he had set in 1999 for most rushing yards in a season by a Redskin.

Davis signed with the Carolina Panthers for the start of the 2003 NFL season, and was a catalyst in leading the team to Super Bowl XXXVIII. Davis rushed for a career-high 1,444 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns. He also finished in the top three for the NFL MVP voting that year. Davis led all rushers in the postseason with 315 yards. Unfortunately for Davis, he suffered an injury early the following season, and was one of fourteen Panthers on injured reserve as the Panthers struggled to a 7-9 record. He was also on the injured list early in the 2005 season, but came off the bench after a few games and set team rushing records Fact|date=February 2007 before being forced to sit out the remainder of the season with nagging knee injuries. Davis was released by the Panthers on March 1, 2006.

On August 24, 2006, Davis worked out with the St. Louis Rams and was offered a one-year contract, which he accepted.

The Panthers have offered Davis a one day contract so he can officially retire as a Carolina Panther. Stephen Davis currently helps the Carolina Panthers. On February 27, 2008 Davis signed a one-day contract with the Panthers and on February 28, 2008 Davis officially retired as a Carolina Panther.

External links

* [http://databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=DAVISSTE02 Stephen Davis on DatabaseFootball.com]
* [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3560 Espn Official page.]