2012 SD Chargers Media Guide_PROOF.P - Seahawks Online ...

87 MICHEAL SPURLOCKWide Receiver-Kick Returner UFA (Tampa Bay) - ’125-11, 210 Mississippi5th NFL SeasonGentry HS1st with ChargersGentry, Miss.VETERANS &RETURNING PLAYERSThe Chargers were aggressive this offseason in their searchfor wide receivers and kick returners and their search landedformer Tampa Bay Buccaneer Micheal Spurlock.In 2007, Spurlock became a hero in Tampa Bay when heended 32 years of futility by scoring the franchise’s firstevertouchdown on a kickoff return.Spurlock owns a career 25.1-yard kickoff return averageand he’s combined to post three returns for scores: twokickoffs and a punt.Spurlock hails from Indianola, Miss., thesame hometown as legendary blues guitaristB.B. King. As a high schooler, he set a staterecord when he scored all 71 of his team’spoints in a game, throwing nine touchdownpasses, scoring two more TDs on the groundand kicking every one of his team’s extra points. An outstandingprep career led to a scholarship from the University ofMississippi where he was recruited by Rich Bisaccia, who latercoached Spurlock in Tampa Bay and is now the AssistantHead Coach-Special Teams for the Chargers. Spurlock had thedubious distinction of following two-time Super Bowl-winningquarterback Eli Manning at Ole Miss.Spurlock and his wife, Danielle, have four daughters,E’Landria, Griselle, Macie and Payton. Having lived throughsome of the cruelties of life in the NFL, Spurlock was cutby Arizona in 2007 while his wife was eight-and-a-halfmonths pregnant and shortly after the couple had purchaseda home. He then signed with Tampa Bay, but onthe day he called to inform the Buccaneers that his wifewas set to deliver and he needed to return to Arizona, theyalso told him he was about to be released. Thankfully Spurlockre-signed shortly thereafter and remained with TampaBay for the better part of the next five seasons.Spurlock enjoys collecting movies. He started in collegeand his collection now includes several hundred titles. Sundaysare movie day in the Spurlock’s home as they gatherto watch movies after attending church.TRANSACTION HISTORY: Signed with Arizona as undraftedrookie, May 5, 2006...waived Sept. 2...re-signed to Cardinals’practice squad, Sept. 4...signed to Cardinals’ active roster,Dec. 29...waived Sept. 1, 2007...signed to Tampa Bay’s practicesquad, Sept. 4...waived Sept. 18 and re-signed to practicesquad, Sept. 25...signed to active roster, Nov. 1...waived Aug.30, 2008...re-signed to Tampa’s practice squad, Sept. 1...contractexpired Jan. 5, 2009...signed with San Francisco, Feb. 9...waived Nov. 3...re-signed with Tampa Bay, Dec. 22...re-signedwith Buccaneers, July 30, 2011...contract expired March 13,2012...signed one-year contract with Chargers, April 5, 2012.2011: Saw limited action as wide receiver and returnman...inactive Games 9-12. 2010: First-career touchdowncatch was 33-yard game-winner in Sept. 12 season-opener vs.Cleveland...first NFL start Sept. 19 at Carolina...21-yard catchwith five seconds remaining Oct. 10 at Cincinnati set up gamewinningfield goal...career-high 60 yards receiving Oct. 31 atArizona...Nov. 7 at Atlanta became first Buccaneer with two60+ yard kickoff returns in same game with 66 yarder followedby 89 yarder for touchdown, which was fourth-longest in teamannals...also had career-long 43-yard catch vs. Falcons...set upfield goal with 79-yard kickoff return against Seattle Dec. 26and week later set up another FG with 69-yard return at NewOrleans (Jan. 2). 2009: Spent season between Tampa Bay andSan Francisco...NFC Special Teams Player of Week afterreturning punt 77 yards for touchdown in fourth quarter atNew Orleans Dec. 17 in first game back with Buccaneers...return tied game at 17-17 and Buccaneers won in overtime,20-17...returned five kickoffs in lone career playoff game Jan.6 vs. NY Giants. 2008: Spent entire season on Tampa Bay’spractice squad. 2007: First-ever kickoff return touchdown inTampa Bay’s history (90 yards) Dec. 16 vs. Atlanta. 2006: Spentfirst 15 weeks on Arizona’s practice squad and signed to activeroster for Dec. 31 season finale at San Diego, catching fourpasses and returning three punts for 18.0-yard average.COLLEGE: Played in 21 career games and completed 179 of345 (.519) for 2,168 yards with nine touchdowns and nineinterceptions...started final collegiate game at running backand scored two rushing touchdowns as senior...redshirted in2001...played at Ole Miss from 2002-05...criminal justicedegree with sociology minor.PERSONAL: Born in Indianola, Miss....set 5A state records atGentry (Miss.) High in 2000, passing for 3,348 yards and 35touchdowns, while rushing for 1,161 yards and 10 TDs...letteredthree years in football and basketball, and four in baseball.Regular Season Receiving Punt Returns Kickoff ReturnsYear Team G-S No.-Yds. Avg. Long TD No.-Yds. Avg. FC Long TD No.-Yds. Avg. Long TD2006 Arizona 1-0 4-31 7.8 15 0 0-0 0.0 0 -- 0 3-54 18.0 21 02007 Tampa Bay 7-0 0-0 0.0 -- 0 4-30 7.5 3 15 0 16-444 27.8 90t 12009 San Francisco 4-0 0-0 0.0 -- 0 0-0 0.0 0 -- 0 0-0 0.0 -- 02009 Tampa Bay 2-0 0-0 0.0 -- 0 3-90 30.0 0 77t 1 8-170 21.3 32 02010 Tampa Bay 16-1 17-250 14.7 43 2 28-193 6.9 16 23 0 44-1,129 25.6 89t 12011 Tampa Bay 12-0 2-13 6.5 7 0 6-21 3.5 1 15 0 2-33 16.5 21 0Totals 42-1 23-294 12.8 43 2 41-334 8.1 20 77t 1 73-1,830 25.1 90t 2Postseason Receiving Punt Returns Kickoff ReturnsYear Team G-S No.-Yds. Avg. Long TD No.-Yds. Avg. FC Long TD No.-Yds. Avg. Long TD2007 Tampa Bay 1-0 0-0 0.0 -- 0 0-0 0 0 -- 0 5-106 21.2 25 0Additional StatisticsRushing — 2009 (San Francisco) 1-3 Passing — 2009 (San Francisco) 0-1; 2011 (Tampa Bay) 0-1; Total 0-2