T.J. Houshmandzadeh

Touraj (T.J.) Houshmandzadeh (born September 26, 1977 in Victorville, California) is an American football wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals. He was the Bengals' seventh-round pick in the 2001 NFL draft.

Related Topics:
September 26 - 1977 - Victorville, California - American football - Wide receiver - Cincinnati Bengals - 2001

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Houshmandzadeh was a high school dropout who later earned his GED and enrolled at a junior college where he helped his team win two national championships. Believing he was too tall to play running back, he moved to receiver.

Related Topics:
GED - Running back

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Based on his junior college performance, Houshmandzadeh was offered a scholarship at Oregon State, where he and fellow Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson were teammates.

Related Topics:
Oregon State - Chad Johnson

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Questions about Houshmandzadeh's speed led to him slimming down to about 200 pounds in 2002. He missed almost all of the 2003 season with a severe hamstring injury. But in 2004, Bengals reciever Peter Warrick went down with an injury and Houshmandzadeh was promoted to the #2 reciever spot for the first time in his career. He took full advantage of his opportunity to prove himself, recording 73 receptions for 978 yards and 4 touchdowns while also adding another 51 yards on the ground with 6 carries. With the release of troubled Peter Warrick during the 2005 training camp, Houshmandzadeh was promoted to the starting lineup. He is viewed as one of the reasons for the Bengals' resurgence. He was rewarded by the Bengals' organization with a 5-year, $13 million contract and an undisclosed bonus.

Related Topics:
Hamstring - Peter Warrick - 2005

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T.J. Houshmandzadeh is of Persian and African American ancestry. He is named after his father, a native Iranian, who left the family and returned to Iran in the mid-1980's. Houshmandzadeh says he recalls nothing of his father and knows only what he looks like from photographs. Despite being raised by his mother, he took on his father's name rather than his mothers', which is Johnson.

Related Topics:
Persian - African American - Iranian

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Although he tends to keep his faith private, Houshmandzadeh has mentioned that he is a Christian. Story

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