Antonio Pittman
Encyclopedia
Antonio Pittman is an American football
running back
who is currently a free agent
. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints
in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Ohio State
.
Pittman has also played for the St. Louis Rams
.
in Akron
, Ohio
, where he earned All-Ohio honors as a senior. Pittman majored in African American
and African Studies
at Ohio State. Pittman got a tattoo left arm is a tattoo honoring his brother, Anthony, who died at the age of 23.
While in high school Pittman lived with his sister.
He has a daughter named Keilyn with his high school sweetheart.
. In addition to running, Pittman made 17 receptions for 161 yards in 2005.
In his first appearance, Pittman rushed for 100 yards on 14 carries against Miami University
. His career-high is 186 yards in a game against the University of Minnesota
, where he also scored his first touchdown of the season. He scored the winning touchdown in the 2005 game against the Michigan Wolverines
. His run around the Michigan defensive line for a three yard touchdown run came with just 24 seconds left in the game. In the next game, he clinched the 2006 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish
by erupting for a 60 yard touchdown run with 1:46 left in the game, despite having an injured hamstring. In 2005 he became just the fourth sophomore in Ohio State annals to rush for 1,000 or more yards in a season, joining Archie Griffin
, Vince Workman
and Keith Byars
.
Troy Smith
said of Pittman, "Everybody knows who he is in the state of Ohio, but I think nationally, he’s one of the top three backs."
Pittman has averaged over five yards per carry in his three seasons, playing in 35 games, rushing for an average of 84 yards per game. He currently ranks 8th on Ohio State's all-time rushing list.
At the beginning of the 2006 season some called for split playing time between Pittman and freshman Chris Wells
, another Akron native. However, Pittman's strong resume in 2005 and early successes guaranteed his role as starter.
As the starting running back, Pittman displayed the ability to compile impressive statistics. In games against Northern Illinois
, Cincinnati
, Penn State, and Iowa
he rushed for over 100 yards and scored touchdowns. Also, during the game at then #2 Texas he scored a touchdown. Against the Florida Gators
in the BCS National Championship, Pittman rushed for 62 yards and one of Ohio State's two scores. On January 15, 2007, Pittman made the decision to forgo his senior year and declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft
.
. Pittman was cut on September 1, 2007 to make room on the roster for Pierre Thomas
.
Pittman was claimed off of waivers by the St. Louis Rams
the day after he was released by the Saints. Pittman played in 11 games for the Rams. He saw action as a reserve running back and on special teams. For the season he rushed 38 times for 139 yards and added three receptions for 15 yards. In 2008 Pittman played in 12 games and started five in place of Steven Jackson
. He carried the ball 79 times for 296 yards and no touchdowns. He caught 18 passes for 132 yards.
Pittman was waived on September 5, 2009.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
.
Pittman has also played for the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
.
Early years
Pittman attended Buchtel High SchoolBuchtel High School
John R. Buchtel High School is a public high school in Akron, Ohio. It is one of seven high schools in the Akron Public Schools district. It is commonly known as Buchtel High School.-History:...
in Akron
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, where he earned All-Ohio honors as a senior. Pittman majored in African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
and African Studies
African studies
African studies is the study of Africa, especially the cultures and societies of Africa .The field includes the study of:Culture of Africa, History of Africa , Anthropology of Africa , Politics of Africa, Economy of Africa African studies is the study of Africa, especially the cultures and...
at Ohio State. Pittman got a tattoo left arm is a tattoo honoring his brother, Anthony, who died at the age of 23.
While in high school Pittman lived with his sister.
He has a daughter named Keilyn with his high school sweetheart.
2005
Despite a slow start to the 2005 season, he finished the year with 1,331 yards rushing and seven touchdowns on 243 carries. His rushing yardage was the 10th-best single-season mark in school history and only Archie Griffin gained more yards (1,577) as a sophomore. His rushing total was the 11th highest in the NCAA last season and 5th best in the Big Ten ConferenceBig Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
. In addition to running, Pittman made 17 receptions for 161 yards in 2005.
In his first appearance, Pittman rushed for 100 yards on 14 carries against Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
. His career-high is 186 yards in a game against the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
, where he also scored his first touchdown of the season. He scored the winning touchdown in the 2005 game against the Michigan Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines
The Michigan Wolverines comprise 27 varsity sports teams at the University of Michigan. These teams compete in the NCAA's Division I and in the Big Ten Conference in all sports except men's ice hockey which competes in the NCAA D1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association, and women's water polo, which...
. His run around the Michigan defensive line for a three yard touchdown run came with just 24 seconds left in the game. In the next game, he clinched the 2006 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame's nickname is inherited from Irish immigrant soldiers who fought in the Civil War with the Union's Irish Brigade, , recollected among other places in the poetry of Joyce Kilmer who served with one of the Irish Brigade regiments during World War I...
by erupting for a 60 yard touchdown run with 1:46 left in the game, despite having an injured hamstring. In 2005 he became just the fourth sophomore in Ohio State annals to rush for 1,000 or more yards in a season, joining Archie Griffin
Archie Griffin
Archie Mason Griffin is a former American football running back. Griffin played seven seasons in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals. He is college football's only two-time Heisman Trophy winner...
, Vince Workman
Vince Workman
Vincent "Vince" Workman is a former professional American football running back who was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 1989 NFL Draft. Workman played eight seasons in the NFL from 1989 to 1996 for the Packers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Carolina Panthers and the...
and Keith Byars
Keith Byars
Keith Alan Byars is an American sports broadcaster and former American football player in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets.-Early life:...
.
2006
In 2006, quarterbackQuarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Troy Smith
Troy Smith
Troy James Smith is an American football quarterback for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.Smith has also played for the San Francisco 49ers. He...
said of Pittman, "Everybody knows who he is in the state of Ohio, but I think nationally, he’s one of the top three backs."
Pittman has averaged over five yards per carry in his three seasons, playing in 35 games, rushing for an average of 84 yards per game. He currently ranks 8th on Ohio State's all-time rushing list.
At the beginning of the 2006 season some called for split playing time between Pittman and freshman Chris Wells
Chris Wells (American football)
Chris "Beanie" Michael Wells is an American football running back for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League...
, another Akron native. However, Pittman's strong resume in 2005 and early successes guaranteed his role as starter.
As the starting running back, Pittman displayed the ability to compile impressive statistics. In games against Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University is a state university and research institution located in DeKalb, Illinois, with satellite centers in Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon. It was originally founded as Northern Illinois State Normal School on May 22, 1895 by Illinois Governor John P...
, Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
, Penn State, and Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
he rushed for over 100 yards and scored touchdowns. Also, during the game at then #2 Texas he scored a touchdown. Against the Florida Gators
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators are the intercollegiate sports teams that represent the University of Florida located in Gainesville, Florida. The "Lady Gators" is an alternative nickname sometimes used by the Gators women's teams...
in the BCS National Championship, Pittman rushed for 62 yards and one of Ohio State's two scores. On January 15, 2007, Pittman made the decision to forgo his senior year and declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
.
Career statistics
| Year | Team | G | Att | Yards | Avg | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season The 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with several undefeated teams vying for a spot in the national title game, triggering controversy. In the 2003 season, no team finished the regular season unbeaten, and five teams finished the season with one loss... |
Ohio State Buckeyes 2004 Ohio State Buckeyes football team The 2004 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 2004-2005. The team's head football coach was Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes played their home games at Ohio Stadium. The team finished the season with a record of 8-4, and a Big Ten... |
10 | 72 | 381 | 5.3 | 1 |
| 2005 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season The 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the least amount of controversy surrounding the Bowl Championship Series title game in many years.To an extent it was a return to classic football... |
Ohio State Buckeyes 2005 Ohio State Buckeyes football team The 2005 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented The Ohio State University in the college football season of 2005-2006. The team's head football coach was Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes played their home games in Ohio Stadium. The team finished the season with a win-loss record of 10 and 2, and... |
12 | 243 | 1,331 | 5.5 | 7 |
| 2006 2006 NCAA Division I-A football season The 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 31, 2006 and, aside from all-star exhibition games that followed, concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game on January 8, 2007 in Glendale, Arizona, where the #2 Florida... |
Ohio State Buckeyes 2006 Ohio State Buckeyes football team The 2006 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was an American football team representing the Ohio State University in the college football season of 2006-2007. The team's head coach was Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes played their home games in Ohio Stadium... |
13 | 242 | 1,275 | 5.3 | 14 |
| Total | 35 | 557 | 2,945 | 5.3 | 22 |
Pre-draft
| Pre-draft measureables | |||||||||||||||||||
| Height | Weight | 40-yard dash 40 yard dash The 40-yard dash is a sprint covering . It is primarily run to evaluate the speed of American football players by scouts, particularly for the NFL Draft but also for collegiate recruiting. A player's recorded time in the 40 can have a heavy impact on his prospects in college or professional football... |
10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20 ss 20 yard shuttle The 20-yard shuttle, also simply called the short shuttle, is a test performed by American football athletes at the NFL combine. It is primarily run to evaluate the quickness and change-of-direction ability of players by scouts, particularly for the NFL Draft but also for collegiate recruiting... |
3-cone 3 cone drill The 3 cone drill, or three cone drill, is a test performed by American football athletes at the NFL combine. It is primarily run to evaluate the agility, quickness and fluidity of movement of players by scouts, particularly for the NFL Draft but also for collegiate recruiting... |
Vert Vertical jump A vertical jump or vertical leap is the act of raising one's center of gravity higher in the vertical plane solely with the use of one's own muscles; it is a measure of how high an individual or athlete can elevate off the ground from a standstill.-Types of vertical jump:The vertical jump is... |
Broad | BP Bench press The bench press is an exercise of the upper body. For bodybuilding purposes, it is used to stimulate the pectorals, deltoids, and triceps. While on his or her back, the person performing the bench press lowers a weight to the level of the chest, then pushes it back up until the arm is straight... |
Wonderlic | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-10¾ * | 207 * | 4.40 * | 1.52 * | 2.53 * | 4.16 * | 6.84 * | 35½" * | 10'03" * | 16 * | × | |||||||||
| * represents NFL Combine NFL Combine The National Invitational Camp or NFL Scouting Combine, as it is more widely known, is a week-long showcase, occurring every February in Indianapolis, Indiana's Lucas Oil Stadium , where college football players perform physical and mental tests in front of National Football League coaches, general... |
|||||||||||||||||||
New Orleans Saints
Antonio Pittman was selected in the 4th round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
. Pittman was cut on September 1, 2007 to make room on the roster for Pierre Thomas
Pierre Thomas (American football)
Charles Pierre Thomas Jr. is an American football running back for the New Orleans Saints in the National Football League.- Early years :...
.
St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
the day after he was released by the Saints. Pittman played in 11 games for the Rams. He saw action as a reserve running back and on special teams. For the season he rushed 38 times for 139 yards and added three receptions for 15 yards. In 2008 Pittman played in 12 games and started five in place of Steven Jackson
Steven Jackson
Steven Rashad Jackson is an American football running back for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Rams 24th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oregon State University....
. He carried the ball 79 times for 296 yards and no touchdowns. He caught 18 passes for 132 yards.
Pittman was waived on September 5, 2009.
External links
- College bio
- St. Louis Rams bio
- Career Statistics from ESPN.comESPN.comESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. Since launching in 1995 as ESPNet.SportsZone.com, the website has developed numerous sections including: Page 2, SportsNation, ESPN 3.com, ESPN Motion, My ESPN, ESPN Sports Travel, ESPN Video Games, ESPN Insider, ESPN.com's...
- 2005 NCAA Rushing Statistics
- Pittman Ohio State's No. 1 RB