Terrance Copper

Early years

Copper was a 2000 graduate of Washington High School. He finished his high school career as the school's career-leader in receptions (159) and receiving yards (2,826). He also had 27 touchdowns.

He was a three-time all-conference and all-area selection and set season records with 55 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in 1997. He had 25 catches for 402 yards and three scores as a freshman, 55 grabs for 1,000 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore, 38 snags for 683 yards and seven touchdowns in his junior season. In his last year, he registered 41 receptions for 741 yards and 13 touchdowns.

He earned honorable-mention All-American honors from USA Today. Copper was also selected to play in the Shrine Bowl and East/West All-Star game his senior season.

College career

Copper accepted a scholarship from East Carolina University. As a sophomore, he became a starter at the H-back position with the departure of Keith Stokes and had David Garrard as the team's quarterback. He was also a punt returner.

As a senior in 2003, he led Conference USA with 87 receptions (at the time a school single season record). He also had 897 receiving yards, two touchdowns and returned 27 punts for 124 yards. As a junior, he registered 30 receptions for 395 yards and returned 30 punts for 328 yards.

He finished his college career without missing a game, while registering 139 receptions (at the time second most in school history), 1,683 receiving yards (at the time fourth most in school history), 3 receiving touchdowns, 211 yards on nine kickoff returns (23.4 avg), 522 yards on 67 punt returns (7.8 avg) and 72 rushing yards and one touchdowns on 16 carries (4.5 avg).

Dallas Cowboys

In 2004, he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys. As a rookie, he played in 10 games, had seven receptions for 84 yards, but his contributions came on special teams, where he had 14 tackles and returned 16 kickoffs for 307 yards (19.2 avg.). Copper appeared in all 16 games in 2005, playing primarily on special teams, he totaled 11 tackles and two kickoff returns for 32 yards. He was released by the team before the 2006 season started.

New Orleans Saints

In 2006, he was claimed by the New Orleans Saints, reuniting him with new head coach and former Cowboys offensive coordinator Sean Payton. He played in 15 games (four starts) for the New Orleans Saints and started his first NFL game on November 5, 2006 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The next week he started against the Pittsburgh Steelers, registering a career-high six receptions for 92 yards. He finished the 2006 season with 23 receptions for 385 yards, and three touchdowns.

Copper was released by the New Orleans Saints on October 14, 2008, after the team signed defensive end Jeff Charleston. He was re-signed four days later when defensive tackle Montavious Stanley was placed on injured reserve. He was cut again on October 26, to activate suspended guard Jamar Nesbit. During his time with the team, he was considered a special teams standout.

Baltimore Ravens

He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens on October 29, 2008, after wide receiver Demetrius Williams was placed on the injured reserve list.

Kansas City Chiefs

Copper signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on March 17, 2009 and was second on the team with 16 special teams tackles. He was re-signed on March 7, 2010.

In the 2011 season, he had a catch drought that started after he had one reception in Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts and ended in Week 13 against the Chicago Bears. In week 16 against the Oakland Raiders, he played an important role catching three passes for 61 yards (including a 43-yard gain). He finished the season with eight receptions for 114 yards. He was released on August 25, 2013.