Bobby Wade
Robert Louis Wade Jr. is an American former professional football wide receiver who is the current wide receivers coach for the Arizona Wildcats. Wade played college for the Arizona Wildcats as a wide receiver from 1999 to 2002. Wade also played for the Chicago Bears, Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings, and Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL.
Early life
Wade attended Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, Arizona and was an all star Athlete student letterwinner in football, track & field, soccer and basketball. As a senior, he was the USA Today High School Football Player of the Year for Offense and Defense and he helped lead his team to the Class 5A State Championship. In track & field, he won the Class 5A triple jump title as a senior.He received a 25th Anniversary award for a Friday Night Fever Offensive MVP award from AZ local Channel 12.
College career
Wade played four seasons for the University of Arizona Wildcats as a wide receiver from 1999 to 2002. In 45 games, he caught 230 passes for 3,351 yards and 23 touchdowns. He was inducted into the Wildcat Ring of Honor in 2015. He currently holds the record for the most single-season receptions with 93. He also was the all-time leader in career receiving yards until Tetairoa McMillan passed him in 2024. Wade is still one of the most accomplished receivers Arizona has had.Professional career
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears selected Wade in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL draft. His best season with the team came in 2004 when he caught forty-two passes for 481 yards. In 2005, Wade saw more playing time as a punt returner and scored the first special teams touchdown of his career during the second week of the 2005 season. He was released by the Bears late in the 2005 season.Tennessee Titans
While leading the NFC in punt return average and yards Wade was released in week 13. After his release, Wade was signed by the Tennessee Titans and appeared in two games in 2005. He remained with Titans in 2006 where he became a major offensive and special teams weapon in his 18-game Titan career. Wade was a very productive slot receiver with 50 receptions for 701 yards and 5 touchdowns.Minnesota Vikings
On March 6, 2007, Wade signed a free agent contract worth $16 million with the Minnesota Vikings and had the best season of his career. Wade put up career high numbers in receptions, yards and touchdowns.In 2008. Wade finished with 58 catches for 645 yards and 5 touchdowns. Also, Wade's team made the playoffs for the first time in his career with Wade as a captain. Wades first two years he led his team in receptions and punt return yards.
Wade was released by the Vikings three days before the Vikings first game of the 2009 season very unexpectedly. This happened just one week after agreeing to rework his contract and take a pay cut from $3 million to $1.5 million for this season. Wade also would have then become a free agent at the end of this season. Allowing him to test the free agent market after his best 3 years.