Patrick Ramsey
Patrick Allen Ramsey is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League. He played college football for the Tulane Green Wave and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft. Ramsey was also a member of the New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, and Minnesota Vikings.
Early life
Ramsey was born on February 14, 1979, in Ruston, Louisiana. He attended Ruston High School, where he was a two-year starter quarterback, and was also state champion in the javelin throw. His best friend was the son of Bert Jones, a Ruston native who had gone on to a distinguished career as an NFL quarterback, and the elder Jones became Ramsey's mentor.College career
Ramsey attended Tulane University and had an outstanding collegiate career as a "scholar athlete", being named five times to the Conference USA Commissioner's honor roll, and was the National Football Foundation/College Football Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete of the Year, in 2001.During Ramsey's 1999 season, he set 20 Tulane passing records, including single season records for passing yards, attempts, and completions. In that season he threw for 25 touchdowns, the second-most ever for a Tulane player. In 2000, he led the third-best passing offense in the nation. He also made the All-Conference USA second-team, leading the conference in most meaningful passing statistics. In his senior season in 2001 he started 11 games and threw for 22 touchdowns. He set a school record, having at least one touchdown pass in 31 consecutive games. Upon graduating, he had the top five passing games in school history. His career totals at Tulane were surpassed only by Shaun King, Mike McKay, Roch Hontas, and Terrence Jones.
Ramsey graduated with degrees in accounting and finance.
Professional career
Washington Redskins
Ramsey was selected in the first round with the 32nd overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins, to replace Tony Banks as quarterback.On October 13, 2002, the Redskins hosted the team from Ramsey's home state, the New Orleans Saints. Ramsey threw four interceptions as the Saints won 43–27.
The 2003 season, Ramsey's first full season as a starter was even more difficult. He was one of the most sacked quarterbacks in the NFL that year, which was also Spurrier's last season as head coach. In 2004, Joe Gibbs returned to coach the team after a prolonged absence; he originally traded for Mark Brunell as the starting quarterback but replaced him with Ramsey in November. A month later, Gibbs named Ramsey as the starting quarterback for the 2005 season.
In the Redskins' first game against the Chicago Bears, Ramsey suffered a minor neck injury after a clothesline hit by Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs. Gibbs demoted Ramsey to the role of Brunell's back-up for the second game versus the Dallas Cowboys. It was reported that Ramsey requested a trade from the Redskins, following announcement of his demotion. This report was later claimed to be false by Ramsey and the Redskins organization.