Name Antonio Anderson Height: 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | High school: Midwood (NY) Weight 144 kg | |
Date of birth: (1973-06-04) June 4, 1973 (age 42) | ||
Place of birth: Brooklyn, New York | ||
Antonio Kenneth Anderson (born June 4, 1973) is a former American professional football defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) and the XFL. He played for the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL and the Memphis Maniax of the XFL. Anderson played college football at Syracuse University.
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Early years
Anderson attended Midwood High School, where he was a two-way lineman. He transferred to Milford Academy, where he focused on playing defensive tackle. As a senior he registered 90 tackles (30 for loss), 13 sacks, 3 blocked punts and received Super Prep Al-America and All-Northeast honors.
He accepted a football scholarship from Syracuse University. As a redshirt freshman, he played in every game (3 starts) at defensive tackle, registering 13 tackles and one sack. As a sophomore reserve, he made 17 tackles (2 for loss) and one sack.
As a junior, he started 6 games at left tackle and 2 contests at right tackle, posting 42 tackles (3 for loss), 8 quarterback pressures (led team), 3.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries and one pass defensed. As a senior starter, he recorded 45 tackles (9 for loss), 4 sacks, 27 quarterback pressures and 3 forced fumbles.
Dallas Cowboys
Anderson was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (101st pick overall) of the 1997 NFL Draft, after dropping because his physical skills didn't match his on-field production. As a rookie, he registered 40 tackles (2 for loss), 2 sacks, 3 quarterback pressures, 2 passes defensed and started five games in place of an injured Chad Hennings. He was also named to the NFL All-rookie team.
In 1998, he was limited to only five games and two solo tackles due to a right knee injury, eventually falling out of the defensive line rotation. He was left unprotected in the 1999 NFL Expansion Draft.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns selected him in the 1999 NFL Expansion Draft, but released him on April 22.
Carolina Panthers
On June 24, 1999, he signed with the Carolina Panthers but was released before the season started.
Memphis Maniax (XFL)
Anderson joined the Memphis Maniax of the XFL for its lone season in 2001. He registered 4 tackles.
Personal life
Anderson was an assistant coach at Hempstead High School and with the Rhein Fire in NFL Europe. He is currently coaching at ASA Junior College (NY).
He is one of 14 children. He has 3 cousins that played professional sports: Stanford Jennings (NFL), Keith Jennings (NFL) and John Salley (NBA).