Derek Rackley

Derek Lance Rackley is an American former professional football player who was a long snapper and tight end for eight seasons in the National Football League. He played college football for the Minnesota [Golden Gophers football|Minnesota Golden Gophers].
Rackley is currently a football analyst and broadcaster for the Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast nightly television show, SportsNite, as well as a game and studio analyst for the Big Ten Network and Westwood One. Rackley also regularly appears on The Big Ten Pulse also on BTN.
Derek Rackley worked as an Analyst for select Sunday night Football games on Westwood One in 2021 and select NFL games for Westwood One since 2022.

Early life

Rackley was born in Apple Valley, Minnesota and attended Apple [Valley High School (Minnesota)|Apple Valley High School] in Apple Valley. As a senior, he was an All-State Honorable Mention honoree and an Academic All-State honoree. He graduated in 1995 from Apple Valley High School with honors.

College career

Rackley attended the University of Minnesota and was a four-year letterman in football. He saw action as tight end, in addition to handling long snapper duties for four years. He worked for General Mills in Minnesota before he began his professional career.

Professional career

Rackley was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2000. He caught the only touchdown of his career, a 1-yard pass from Michael Vick, on December 30, 2001, when the Falcons were playing the Miami Dolphins. Rackley then signed with the Seattle Seahawks in 2006.