Chris Akins

Christopher Drew Akins (born November 29, 1976) is a former American football safety in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins. He played college football at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Chris Akins
No. 29, 31, 36, 34
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1976-11-29) November 29, 1976
Little Rock, Arkansas
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Little Rock (AR) Hall
College:Arkansas-Pine Bluff
NFL Draft:1999 / Round: 7 / Pick: 212
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:61
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Early years

Akins attended Hall High School, where he lettered in football and track. As a senior, he received Arkansas player of the year, All-Conference, All-State, and All-American honors, after recording 117 total tackles (85 solo), 17 passes defensed and 4 interceptions.

In track, he was a two-time All-State selection and set school records in the 100 metres (10.33 seconds) and the 200 metres.

College career

Akins accepted a football scholarship from the University of Arkansas. As a sophomore, he started 6 games at free safety. He decided to transfer after two years to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

As a junior, because of the one-time transfer rule, he was allowed to play immediately, posting 52 tackles, 11 passes defensed and 6 interceptions. As a senior, he posted 66 tackles (4 for loss), 12 passes defensed, 3 fumble recoveries and 5 interceptions, including 2 returned for touchdowns. He had a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the 27-18 win against Alcorn State University. He received All-Southwestern Athletic Conference, second-team Division I-AA All-American and Black College All-American honors.

He finished his college career with 156 tackles (83 solo), 25 passed defensed, 12 interceptions and 6 fumble recoveries. In his two years at Arkansas-Pine-Bluff, he tallied 118 tackles, 23 passes defensed, 11 interceptions, 5 fumble recoveries and 9 tackles for loss.

Professional career

Green Bay Packers

Akins was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round (212th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft. He was cut at the end of training camp and signed to the team's practice squad on September 14.

Dallas Cowboys

On October 27, 1999, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys from the Green Bay Packers practice squad. Although he only played in nine games, he finished with 15 special teams tackles (second on the team).

In 2000, he was allocated to the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe, where he helped his team win World Bowl VIII, while registering 47 tackles (fifth on the team), one interception, 7 special teams tackles (second on the team) and a blocked field goal. He made the Cowboys regular season roster but was released on October 31.

Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers claimed him off waivers on November 1, 2000.[1] During the 2001 season, Akins angered head coach Mike Sherman with mental lapses on the field and his attitude off of it.[2] He was cut on December 6, at the time he was tied for third on the team in special teams tackles (7).[3]

Cleveland Browns

On October 12, 2001, he was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns.[4] The next year, he ranked second on the team with 25 special teams tackles while playing in 15 games.

New England Patriots

Akins signed with the New England Patriots as a free agent on March 12, 2003.[5] He continued his career as a special teams player, contributing to the team's win in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

Miami Dolphins

On March 5, 2004, he signed with the Miami Dolphins as an unrestricted free agent. He spent the season on the team's injured reserve after tearing the medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee, during a workout against the Houston Texans.[6] He was released on September 5, 2005.[7]

Personal life

Akins second cousin is former NFL tight end Jackie Harris.

References
  1. "Packers Notes". Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  2. "Packers expect Akins to retaliate for being cut". Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  3. "Packers waive embattled DB Chris Akins". Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  4. "Browns lose Roye for rest of the season; sign Akins". Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  5. "Patriots add safety to ranks". Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  6. "Dolphins: Akins expected to miss season". Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  7. "NFL Transactions". Retrieved January 3, 2018.
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