Gary Wichard
Encyclopedia
Gary Theodore Wichard was a college football player and professional sports agent
.
, and attended Glen Cove High School
. He later lived in Westlake Village, California
.
In college, Wichard was a two-time All American quarterback at C.W. Post College. After the 1971 season, he received a Heisman Trophy
vote. He was the first C.W. Post player to be named an All American by both the Associated Press and Kodak. He was also invited to the Senior Bowl
All Star Game.
He set school career records in the areas of passing yardage and touchdown passes. In 2011, he was ranked third all-time in career passing yards with 5,373.
Wichard was drafted in the 16th round by the Baltimore Colts
in the 1972 NFL draft.
Wichard entered the sports agent business working for sports agent Irwin Weiner. Wichard recruited Colts running back Don McCauley
and hockey player Jean Potvin
for Weiner, and then set off on his own.
He founded Pro Tect Management Corporation in 1979. Among his first clients were Rob Carpenter of the New York Giants and Richard Todd
and Mark Gastineau
of the New York Jets. He also represented Brian Bosworth
, Keith Jackson
, Terrell Suggs
of the Baltimore Ravens, Dwight Freeney
of the Indianapolis Colts, Keith Bullock of the New York Giants, Chris Cooley of the Washington Redskins, Jimmy Clausen
of the Carolina Panthers, Elvis Dumervil
of the Denver Broncos, Darren Sproles
of the San Diego Chargers, Antonio Cromartie
of the New York Jets and C.J. Spiller of the Buffalo Bills.
Wichard was suspended by the NFL Players Association in December 2010 for having "impermissible communication" with then-college player Marvin Austin
, and was investigated by the NCAA regarding his friendship with John Blake
. Austin was dismissed from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill football team
in October 2010; Blake resigned as the team's assistant coach in September 2010.
On April 19, 2010, Bosworth sued Wichard and his company, alleging that he lost more than $2 million because Wichard introduced him to a financial advisor whom Bosworth alleged Wichard knew had previously engaged in fraudulent activity.
In October 2010, according to Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal, ESPN
was investigating any potential relationship between Mel Kiper, Jr.
and Wichard or any other agents.
Wichard was the inspiration for the character Jerry Maguire in the movie Jerry Maguire
, which earned an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.
In 2001, Wichard was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Wichard was also inducted into the C.W. Post Athletic Hall of Fame.
Sports agent
A sports agent procures and negotiates employment and endorsement contracts for an athlete.In return, the sports agent generally receives between 4 and 10% of the athlete's playing contract, and 10 to 20% of the athlete's endorsement contract, though these figures vary...
.
Early life and football career
Wichard was Jewish, and was raised in Glen Cove, New YorkGlen Cove, New York
Glen Cove is a city in Nassau County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the United States 2010 Census, the city population was 26,964....
, and attended Glen Cove High School
Glen Cove High School
Glen Cove High School, commonly referred to as GC, or GCHS, is the only public high school in the Glen Cove City School District. Located at 150 Dosoris Ln., Glen Cove, on the North Shore of Long Island, GCHS sits upon of land. The current building has been in use since 1962, and prior to that...
. He later lived in Westlake Village, California
Westlake Village, California
Westlake Village is a planned community that straddles the Los Angeles and Ventura county line. The eastern portion is the incorporated city Westlake Village, located on the western edge of Los Angeles County, California. The city, located in the region known as the Conejo Valley, encompasses half...
.
In college, Wichard was a two-time All American quarterback at C.W. Post College. After the 1971 season, he received a Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
vote. He was the first C.W. Post player to be named an All American by both the Associated Press and Kodak. He was also invited to the Senior Bowl
Senior Bowl
The Senior Bowl is a post-season college football exhibition game played in Mobile, Alabama which showcases the best NFL Draft prospects of those collegiate players who have completed their eligibility. First played in 1950 in Jacksonville, Florida, the game moved to Mobile's Ladd Peebles Stadium...
All Star Game.
He set school career records in the areas of passing yardage and touchdown passes. In 2011, he was ranked third all-time in career passing yards with 5,373.
Wichard was drafted in the 16th round by the Baltimore Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
in the 1972 NFL draft.
Sports agent career
Wichard entered the sports agent business working for sports agent Irwin Weiner. Wichard recruited Colts running back Don McCauley
Don McCauley
Don McCauley was a tailback for the University of North Carolina from 1968 to 1970 and he attended the Garden City High School.He was a two-time First Team All-Conference selection and two-time Conference Player of the Year. He garnered the 1971 ACC Athlete of the Year award. He broke many rushing...
and hockey player Jean Potvin
Jean Potvin
Jean Rene Potvin is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League for the Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, Cleveland Barons and Minnesota North Stars....
for Weiner, and then set off on his own.
He founded Pro Tect Management Corporation in 1979. Among his first clients were Rob Carpenter of the New York Giants and Richard Todd
Richard Todd
Richard Todd OBE was an Irish-born British stage and film actor and soldier.-Early life:Richard Todd was born as Richard Andrew Palethorpe-Todd in Dublin, Ireland. His father, Andrew William Palethorpe Todd, was an Irish physician and an international Irish rugby player who gained three caps for...
and Mark Gastineau
Mark Gastineau
Marcus Dell Gastineau is a former American football player who was a leading defensive end for the New York Jets from 1979 to 1988. A five-time Pro Bowler, his 100½ quarterback sacks in only his first 100 starts in the NFL made him one of the quickest and most feared pass rushers of his generation...
of the New York Jets. He also represented Brian Bosworth
Brian Bosworth
Brian Keith "The Boz" Bosworth, is a former American football linebacker. He played college football for the University of Oklahoma...
, Keith Jackson
Keith Jackson
Keith Jackson is an American sportscaster, known for his long career with ABC Sports , his coverage of college football , his style of folksy, down-to-earth commentary, and his distinctive voice, with its deep cadence, and operatic tone considered "like Edward R...
, Terrell Suggs
Terrell Suggs
Terrell Raymonn Suggs is an American football linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Ravens tenth overall in the 2003 NFL Draft after playing his college football at Arizona State....
of the Baltimore Ravens, Dwight Freeney
Dwight Freeney
Dwight Jason Freeney is an American football defensive end who currently plays for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted in the 1st round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Syracuse University.-Early years:Freeney attended Bloomfield High School...
of the Indianapolis Colts, Keith Bullock of the New York Giants, Chris Cooley of the Washington Redskins, Jimmy Clausen
Jimmy Clausen
James Richard "Jimmy" Clausen is an American football quarterback for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Panthers in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame.-High school career:Clausen had an outstanding prep career...
of the Carolina Panthers, Elvis Dumervil
Elvis Dumervil
-Denver Broncos:Dumervil was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan stated that he planned to keep Dumervil at defensive end....
of the Denver Broncos, Darren Sproles
Darren Sproles
Darren Lee Sproles is an American football running back of the NFL who plays for the New Orleans Saints. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
of the San Diego Chargers, Antonio Cromartie
Antonio Cromartie
Antonio Cromartie is an American football cornerback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers 19th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft...
of the New York Jets and C.J. Spiller of the Buffalo Bills.
Wichard was suspended by the NFL Players Association in December 2010 for having "impermissible communication" with then-college player Marvin Austin
Marvin Austin
Marvin Austin is an American football defensive tackle for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at North Carolina.-Early years:Austin attended Ballou High School in Washington, D.C.,...
, and was investigated by the NCAA regarding his friendship with John Blake
John Blake (American football)
-External links:...
. Austin was dismissed from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill football team
North Carolina Tar Heels football
The North Carolina Tar Heels football team represents the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in collegiate level football. In Carolina’s first 121 seasons of football competition, the Tar Heels have compiled a record of 646–488–54, a winning percentage of .566...
in October 2010; Blake resigned as the team's assistant coach in September 2010.
On April 19, 2010, Bosworth sued Wichard and his company, alleging that he lost more than $2 million because Wichard introduced him to a financial advisor whom Bosworth alleged Wichard knew had previously engaged in fraudulent activity.
In October 2010, according to Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal, ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
was investigating any potential relationship between Mel Kiper, Jr.
Mel Kiper, Jr.
Mel Kiper Jr. in Baltimore, Maryland is an American football analyst for the ESPN television channel. He has served as an analyst for ESPN's annual NFL draft coverage since 1984, providing in-depth information on the nation's potential draft picks.-Career:With the emergence of ESPN2 and ESPN.com,...
and Wichard or any other agents.
Wichard was the inspiration for the character Jerry Maguire in the movie Jerry Maguire
Jerry Maguire
Jerry Maguire is a 1996 American romantic comedy-drama film starring Tom Cruise and Cuba Gooding, Jr. It was written, co-produced, and directed by Cameron Crowe...
, which earned an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.
Halls of Fame
In 2001, Wichard was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Wichard was also inducted into the C.W. Post Athletic Hall of Fame.