Cris Carter: From Ohio State Standout to NFL Hall of Famer

Cris Carter's journey to the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a compelling narrative of talent, turmoil, and ultimate triumph. From his early days as a promising high school athlete in Ohio to becoming one of the most prolific wide receivers in NFL history, Carter's career is a testament to his resilience and dedication. On Feb. 2, 2013, Cris Carter was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.

Early Life and High School Career

Born on Nov. 25, 1965, in Troy, Ohio, Graduel Christopher Darin Carter, later known as Cris Carter, faced early challenges growing up in the projects of Middletown with his single mother, three older brothers, and two sisters. He unofficially changed his name to Cris after wide receiver Cris Collinsworth. Carter attended Middletown High School, where he and his oldest brother, Butch, were highly sought after in both football and basketball. While Butch pursued basketball, eventually playing and coaching in the NBA, Cris chose football and accepted an offer from Ohio State University.

College Career at Ohio State University

Head coach Earle Bruce welcomed Carter to Columbus, where he quickly made an impact. Initially considering playing both football and basketball, Carter soon focused solely on football, experiencing a breakout year as a freshman.

Freshman Year Success

In his freshman year, Carter recorded 41 receptions for 648 yards and led the team with eight receiving touchdowns. The Buckeyes finished the season ranked 13th in the nation, won the Big Ten Championship, and narrowly lost to USC in the Rose Bowl, 20-17. Carter set a Rose Bowl record for a freshman with 172 receiving yards, signaling his arrival as a major talent.

Continued Excellence

The 1985 season saw Carter improve in every major receiving category, with 58 receptions for 950 yards and eight touchdowns. Ohio State narrowly missed the Big Ten championship but won the Citrus Bowl against Brigham Young, 10-7, finishing 14th in the AP poll. At the Citrus Bowl at the end of the 1985 season, Carter caught a ball that quarterback Jim Karsatos was intending to throw away. Karsatos has claimed that catch by Carter was the greatest in the history of college football.

Carter's junior year in 1986 was his most dominant, leading the Buckeyes to seventh place in the AP poll, a share of the Big Ten championship, and a 28-12 victory over Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl. He set school records with 69 receptions, 1,127 yards, and 11 touchdowns, earning consensus All-American honors and consideration as a Heisman Trophy candidate.

The Downward Spiral

Despite his success, Carter's college career took a turn for the worse before his senior season. In April 1986, prior to Carter's junior season, his brother George was at his Columbus apartment and noticed an unopened letter from World Sports & Entertainment. The letter contained a proposal for Carter to be represented by Walters and Bloom. He signed a contract with sports agent Norby Walters, a decision that would jeopardize his eligibility. The contract, postdated to Jan. 2, 1988, provided Carter with a $5,000 interest-free loan and monthly payments of $1,800.

In 1987, an investigation into Walters' dealings with college athletes led to Carter being subpoenaed by a Chicago federal grand jury. On July 15, Ohio State's athletic director declared Carter ineligible for the 1987 season. Carter faced criminal charges for concealing information, resulting in a $15,000 fine and 600 hours of community service. Despite losing his senior year, Carter left Ohio State holding the school record for receptions (168), gaining 2,725 yards and 27 touchdowns from them. In 2000, he was selected as a member of the Ohio State Football All-Century Team. The absence of Carter in the 1987 offense contributed to a disappointing 6-4-1 season and the firing of Coach Bruce.

NFL Career

Carter's suspension affected his draft status, leading him to enter the supplemental draft.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Carter in the fourth round of the 1987 NFL supplemental draft. He saw limited action in his rookie season, with only five receptions for 84 yards and two touchdowns. His first professional catch was a 22-yard touchdown. In 1988, he improved, catching 39 passes for 761 yards and six touchdowns. In 16 games, Carter had 39 receptions for 761 yards and six touchdowns. He hauled in an 80-yard touchdown from quarterback Randall Cunningham on Monday night, marking the longest of his career.

In his third season, Carter's production was mixed, with 45 receptions, 605 yards, and 11 touchdowns. Despite his red-zone presence, head coach Buddy Ryan unexpectedly cut Carter before the 1990 season. Ryan famously said, "All he does is catch touchdowns."

It was later revealed that Carter's release was due to drug and alcohol abuse, as he failed three drug tests during his time with the Eagles.

Minnesota Vikings

On Sept. 4, 1990, the Minnesota Vikings signed Cris Carter off waivers for $100. The team was aware of Carter's off-the-field issues, but not nearly to the extent he would share once joining the Vikings. The Vikings provided Carter with a support system to overcome his personal struggles. On Sept. 19, 1990, Carter made the decision to become sober.

In his first season with the Vikings, Carter had 27 receptions for 413 yards and three touchdowns. He caught six passes for 151 yards, including a 78-yard touchdown, in a Monday Night contest at Philadelphia. In 1991, Carter stepped forward as Minnesota's top pass catcher. He led the team with 72 receptions, 962 yards, and 5 touchdown catches.

In 1992, with Dennis Green as the new head coach, Carter remained the primary target, leading the team with 53 receptions, 681 yards, and six touchdowns, despite missing four games due to a broken collar bone. The Vikings returned to NFL prominence in 1992, posting an 11-5 record and capturing their first NFC Central Division title since 1989.

In 1993, with Jim McMahon at quarterback, Carter had a breakout season, posting career highs in receptions (86) and yards (1,071), with nine touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. The Vikings finished the season 9-7, good enough for a playoff berth, but fell 17-10 to the New York Giants in the Wild Card round.

The acquisition of veteran quarterback Warren Moon in 1994 further elevated Carter's performance. Carter set an NFL single-season record with 122 receptions, also leading the team with 1,256 yards and seven touchdowns, earning First-team All-Pro honors. Carter teamed up with Moon in 1995 to post his finest statistical season. He caught 122 passes for a career-high 1,371 yards and led the NFL with 17 touchdown receptions. Carter received Second-team All Pro honors for his efforts.

In 1996, with Brad Johnson at quarterback, Carter continued his success, catching 96 passes for 1,163 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Vikings returned to the playoffs with a 9-7 record, but were routed by the Dallas Cowboys 40-15 in the Wild Card round. Carter continued to be the focal point of the Vikings' offense in 1997. He was named to his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl, leading the NFL with 13 touchdown receptions while pacing the team with 89 catches and 1069 yards.

The 1998 season saw the arrival of Randy Moss, forming a potent offensive duo with Carter. The Vikings cruised through the regular season, posting a 15-1 record and scoring a then-league record 556 points. Carter, who made the Pro Bowl for the fifth time, caught 78 passes for 1,011 yards and 12 touchdowns. Led by Moss, Carter, and Miller Lite Player of the Year Randall Cunningham, the Vikings entered the playoffs as heavy favorites to reach the Super Bowl. They easily defeated the Arizona Cardinals 41-21 in the Divisional Round, advancing to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1987. The Vikings entered that game as 13 and a half point favorites over the Atlanta Falcons, but lost in overtime 30-27 to become the biggest favorite to ever lose a home playoff game.

In 1999, Carter had another exceptional season, earning First-team All-Pro honors with 90 receptions for 1,241 yards and an NFL-best 13 touchdowns. The Vikings easily defeated the Dallas Cowboys 27-10 in the Wild Card round and headed to St. Louis to face the NFL's new hottest offense.

Carter would eventually leave the team following the 2001 season. He became the team's all-time leader in receptions (1,004), receiving yards (12,383) and touchdowns (110). He was selected to the Pro Bowl eight times with his best year coming in 1995-122 receptions, 1,371 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Miami Dolphins and Retirement

After leaving the Vikings, Carter initially retired but returned to the NFL briefly with the Miami Dolphins in 2002. In his first game, he lost a fumble and finished with three receptions for 31 yards. Carter returned in week 14, but struggled to get back into the Dolphins receiver rotation. In week 15, however, he caught a one-handed touchdown pass as the Dolphins beat the Raiders 23-17. He officially retired for good following the season.

Legacy and Hall of Fame

At the time of his retirement, Carter's 1,101 career receptions and 130 touchdowns ranked second in NFL history behind Jerry Rice. He was named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team.

Carter's journey culminated in his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.

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