Jumpy Geathers
Encyclopedia
James Allen "Jumpy" Geathers (born June 26, 1960 in Georgetown
, South Carolina
) is a former American football
defensive lineman. He played defensive tackle for Willie Jeffries
at Wichita State University
, and then for thirteen seasons in the National Football League
(New Orleans Saints
1984-1989, Washington Redskins
1990-1993, Atlanta Falcons
1994-1995, and Denver Broncos
1996). He was a part of the Redskins team that won Super Bowl XXVI
. At 6' 7" and 290 pounds he was a forceful pass rusher, famous for his "forklift" rush, in which he picked up his blocker and carried him to the quarterback. Despite bad knees later in his career, Geathers played well into his 30's, unusual for a defensive tackle. Geather's career was cut short when he ruptured his achilles tendon during training camp with the Denver Broncos, the same year the Broncos would go on to win the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. He retired with 62 sacks in 183 games. Geathers attended Choppee High School located in Georgetown, South Carolina
.
, who plays defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals
, and Clifton Geathers
, who was drafted by the Cleveland Browns
, but now plays defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys
. His son Jeremy Geathers
signed an Undrafted Free Agent contract with the New Orleans Saints
following the 2008 NFL Draft
and is now in the Canadian Football League.
Georgetown, South Carolina
Georgetown is the third oldest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina and the county seat of Georgetown County, in the Low Country. Located on Winyah Bay at the confluence of the Great Pee Dee River, Waccamaw River, and Sampit River, Georgetown is the second largest seaport in South Carolina,...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
) is a former American football
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...
defensive lineman. He played defensive tackle for Willie Jeffries
Willie Jeffries
Willie Jeffries, was a college football coach. In his 29-year career, Jeffries compiled a 179-132-6 record. He coached 19 years at his alma mater South Carolina State University in two stints, five years at Wichita State University, and five years at Howard University...
at Wichita State University
Wichita State University
Wichita State University is a NCAA Division I public university in Wichita, Kansas with selective admissions. WSU is one of six state universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. The current president is Dr. Donald Beggs....
, and then for thirteen seasons in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(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 ....
1984-1989, Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
1990-1993, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
1994-1995, and Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
1996). He was a part of the Redskins team that won Super Bowl XXVI
Super Bowl XXVI
Super Bowl XXVI was an American football game played on January 26, 1992 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota to decide the National Football League champion following the 1991 regular season...
. At 6' 7" and 290 pounds he was a forceful pass rusher, famous for his "forklift" rush, in which he picked up his blocker and carried him to the quarterback. Despite bad knees later in his career, Geathers played well into his 30's, unusual for a defensive tackle. Geather's career was cut short when he ruptured his achilles tendon during training camp with the Denver Broncos, the same year the Broncos would go on to win the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. He retired with 62 sacks in 183 games. Geathers attended Choppee High School located in Georgetown, South Carolina
Georgetown, South Carolina
Georgetown is the third oldest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina and the county seat of Georgetown County, in the Low Country. Located on Winyah Bay at the confluence of the Great Pee Dee River, Waccamaw River, and Sampit River, Georgetown is the second largest seaport in South Carolina,...
.
Personal
Geathers has two nephews in the NFL: Robert GeathersRobert Geathers
Robert Geathers is an American football player who currently plays defensive end and linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals. Geathers played at Choppee High School and later at Carvers Bay High School. As a senior, he recorded 100 tackles and nine sacks on defense and played quarterback on offense...
, who plays defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
, and Clifton Geathers
Clifton Geathers
Clifton Geathers is a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League...
, who was drafted by the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, but now plays defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. His son Jeremy Geathers
Jeremy Geathers
Jeremy James Geathers is an American football defensive end who is currently a member of the Chicago Rush. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
signed an Undrafted Free Agent contract with 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 ....
following the 2008 NFL Draft
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
and is now in the Canadian Football League.