Travis Taylor

Travis Lamonte Taylor (born March 30, 1978 in Fernandina Beach, Florida) is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens 10th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida.

Taylor earned a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV. He has also played for the Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams, Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions.

Early years

Taylor's football career began at Camden County High School(the 2003/2008/2009 5A state champions), Camden County, Georgia. As a senior at Jean Ribault High School in Jacksonville, Florida, Taylor was a first team Class 4A All-State selection, won All-America honors from SuperPrep, and was named to the The Florida Times-Union Area Super 24 Team.

College career

Taylor played three years at the University of Florida. He caught 72 passes for 1150 yards and 15 touchdowns in 11 career starts, and also earned MVP honors in the 1998 Orange Bowl with 7 catches for 159 yards and 2 touchdowns, and again in the 1999 Citrus Bowl with 11 catches for 156 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Professional career

Baltimore Ravens

Taylor was the third overall receiver taken in the 2000 draft, and Baltimore had high hopes of him making an immediate impact. However, Taylor would only play in 9 games and amounted only 28 catches for 278 yards. That season, Taylor showed early promise for himself and for his team by scoring two touchdowns in the second game of the season, a shootout victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars--a team Baltimore had never beaten. That year, Baltimore would go on to win Super Bowl XXXV. Taylor's best season with Baltimore came in 2002, when he amassed 61 catches, 869 yards, and 6 touchdowns. Baltimore released Taylor after a lackluster 2004 season.

Minnesota Vikings

Taylor was then picked up by the Minnesota Vikings, where he played the 2005 and 2006 seasons. In 32 games (29 starts) with the team, Taylor caught 107 passes for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns. He became a free agent in the 2007 offseason.

Oakland Raiders

On May 22, 2007, Taylor was signed by the Oakland Raiders. He was inactive for the team's season opener, then played in the team's Week 2 contest but recorded no statistics. He was released on September 22.

St. Louis Rams

Taylor worked out for the New Orleans Saints on October 11, 2007 but was not signed. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams a week later. He appeared in one game for the team, catching one pass for four yards and recording a solo tackle on special teams. The Rams released him in November.

Carolina Panthers

On December 26, 2007, the Carolina Panthers signed Taylor to a two-year contract. He was inactive for the team's regular season finale. He was released from the team on August 30, 2008.

Detroit Lions

Taylor was signed by the Detroit Lions on December 16, 2008 after wide receiver Shaun McDonald was placed on injured reserve. He was released on May 4, 2009.

Personal

While with the Ravens, Taylor and his wife Rashidah appeared at a Goodwill charity Halloween party dressed as Kobe Bryant and his sexual assault accuser, respectively.^[1]

Travis' wife Rashidah Taylor was Mrs. Maryland for the year 2004.

Legal troubles

Taylor was arrested January 1, 2007 at 2:30 AM outside a Minneapolis nightclub after being tasered by police.

Boat scandal

Taylor was one of the Minnesota Vikings players to be involved in what was called the Minnesota Vikings boat party scandal during when he was with the Vikings. He has refused to comment upon the scandal, along with 2 other players.

A Baby Story

Travis and his wife appeared on an episode of the TLC series A Baby Story that originally aired Oct. 11, 2004.

References

External links

• Detroit Lions bio
• Florida Gators bio