2015 DETROIT LIONS MEDIA GUIDE

15 - GOLDEN TATE
Wide Receiver Notre Dame Hendersonville, Tenn.
Year: 6 Ht: 5-10 Wt: 198 Born: 8/2/88
Draft: ’10, R2 (60)-Sea Acquired: UFA-Sea ‘14
Complete biographical information available on Detroitlions.com.
MANE FACTS
‣ ¾ Pro Bowl: 2015
TRANSACTIONS
‣ ¾ Signed by the Detroit Lions as an unrestricted free agent to a five-year contract on March 12, 2014.
‣ ¾ Drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round (60th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft.
PRO
Sixth-year receiver who joins All-Pro WR Calvin Johnson as one of the most dynamic one-two wide receiver punches in
the NFL after spending his first four seasons in the League with the Seattle Seahawks (2010-13). Earned his first trip to
the Pro Bowl following a career 2014 season.
‣ ¾ With Johnson (1,077) reaching 1,000 receiving yards, he joined Tate (1,331) in the surpassing of 1,000 receiving yards in
the 2014 season. They became the first pair of Lions receivers to both reach 1,000 receiving yards in the same season
since 2006 (WR Roy Williams, 1310; WR Mike Furrey, 1,086). In Lions history, this is the sixth time that two Lions receivers
have each reached 1,000 receiving yards in the same season (1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2006 and 2014).
‣ ¾ With 97 yards in Week 12 at New England (11/23), Tate eclipsed 1,000 yards on the season for the first time in his career.
‣ ¾ Tate caught a career-high 11 receptions for 109 yards in the team’s 20-16 fourth quarter comeback win over Miami
(11/9/14). By grabbing 11 passes, Tate set a new franchise record for the most consecutive games (6) with 7+ receptions.
He broke the previous record of five shared by WR Brett Perriman (5, 1996) and WR Calvin Johnson (5, 2012).
• With 109 yards against the Dolphins, he also recorded 100+-yards in three straight games for the first time in his
career (154 vs. NO; 151 at Atl; 109 vs. Mia).
‣ ¾ Tate registered 151 yards in the Lions’ 22-21 comeback win vs. Atlanta in London (10/26/14). Combined with his 154
yards the previous week vs. New Orleans (10/19), Tate became the third receiver in Lions history with back-to-back
150-yard games, joining E Cloyce Box (1952) and WR Calvin Johnson (2013) as the only players in team history with
back-to-back 150-yard games.
‣ ¾ Also possesses the ability to contribute as a kickoff and punt returner. Career return totals include 68 punt returns for
787 yards (11.6 avg) and four kickoff returns for 67 yards (16.8).
‣ ¾ Has played in eight postseason games (five starts), including three in 2013.
2014: Had a breakout season in his first year in Detroit as he led the team in receptions (99), receiving yards (1,331), both
of which are career-highs, and also recorded four touchdowns. Established himself as a reliable target for QB Matthew
Stafford in key situations, as he finished second in the NFL in third-down receptions (34) and receiving yards (536), as well
as third in yards after the catch with 720.
‣ ¾ In his first regular season game as an Lion, Tate recorded six catches for 93 yards in Week 1 vs. New York Giants (9/8).
‣ ¾ Caught five receptions for 57 yards in Week 2 at Carolina (9/14).
‣ ¾ Logged five catches for 51 yards in Week 3 vs. Green Bay (9/21).
‣ ¾ Totaled 116 receiving yards on a then-career-high eight catches in Week 4 at New York Jets (9/28).
‣ ¾ Recorded seven catches for a career-high 134 yards while also registering his first-career touchdown with the Lions in
Week 5 vs. Buffalo (10/5). His 134 yards marked the first time in his career he has registered back-to-back 100-yard
receiving games (116, Week 4 at NYJ).
‣ ¾ With seven receptions in Week 6 at Minnesota (10/12), Tate set a new career high for receptions over a three-game
span (22).
‣ ¾ Recorded a team- and then-career-high 10 catches for 154 yards and a touchdown in Week 7 vs. New Orleans (10/19).
‣ ¾ Caught seven passes for a team-high 151 yards and a touchdown in Week 8 at Atlanta (10/26). With seven receptions vs.
the Falcons, Tate tied the franchise record for most consecutive games with 7+ receptions as he became the third player
in team history with 7+ receptions in five-straight games (WR Brett Perriman, 5 in 1996; WR Calvin Johnson, 5 in 2012).
‣ ¾ Logged a career-high 11 catches for 109 yards in Week 10 vs. Miami (11/09).
‣ ¾ Caught two passes for 41 yards in Week 11 at Arizona (11/16).
‣ ¾ Recorded four catches for 97 yards in Week 12 at New England (11/23).
‣ ¾ Caught eight passes for 89 yards in Week 13 vs. Chicago (11/27).
‣ ¾ Logged four catches for 50 yards in Week 14 vs. Tampa Bay (12/07).
‣ ¾ Caught seven passes for 38 yards and a touchdown in Week 15 vs. Minnesota (12/14).
‣ ¾ Recorded five catches for 62 yards in Week 16 at Chicago (12/21).
‣ ¾ Totaled 45 yards on three receptions in Week 17 at Green Bay (12/28).
‣ ¾ Caught six passes for 89 yards and a touchdown in the NFC Wild Card game at Dallas (1/4). Stafford and Tate began
the team’s scoring when they connected on a 51-yard touchdown on the opening drive of the game. The 51-yard pass
play tied for the fourth-longest pass play in Lions postseason history, tying the 51-yard connection between QB Bobby
Layne and RB Doak Walker vs. the Los Angeles Rams December 21, 1952.
2013: Led the Seahawks in receptions (64) and receiving yards (898) and grabbed five touchdowns en route to the team’s
first Super Bowl title in franchise history. Also had his best season as a return man, fielding a career high 51 punts for 585
yards (11.5 avg), as well as three kickoffs for 57 yards (19.0 avg). In three postseason games, proved to be a reliable target
for QB Russell Wilson as he caught eight balls for 61 yards.
‣ ¾ Opened the season with four catches for 51 yards and four punt returns for 48 yards at Carolina (9/8).
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