Thornton Chandler

Thornton Chandler is a former professional American football tight end in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Alabama.

Thornton Chandler
No. 85, 89
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1963-11-27) November 27, 1963
Jacksonville, Florida
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:243 lb (110 kg)
Career information
High school:Jacksonville (FL) Raines
College:Alabama
NFL Draft:1986 / Round: 6 / Pick: 140
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Games played:49
Receptions:29
Receiving yards:268
Touchdowns:4
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Early years

Chandler attended William M. Raines High School, where he was switched from wide receiver to tight end, after he grew up to 6-5 feet and 240 pounds as a freshman. As a senior he received All-American honors. Against Lake City High School, he had 10 receptions for 170 yards and 2 touchdowns.[1]

He received All-City honors twice, even though he was mostly a blocker in his team's wishbone offense, finishing his career with 29 receptions and 4 touchdowns.[2]

As a freshman at Florida A&M University, he played the flanker and tight end positions, before deciding to transfer to the University of Alabama after just two games.[3]

At Alabama he was named the starter in 1983 and became an accomplished blocking tight end in the team's run-oriented offense. In 1985, he was the team's third-leading receiver, registering 16 receptions for 244 yards. In 32 games, he posted 32 receptions for 504 yards (15.8-yard average) and 2 touchdowns.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Chandler was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round (140th overall) of the 1986 NFL Draft. As a rookie, his first 2 receptions went for touchdowns. He was Doug Cosbie’s backup for two years, until earning the starting job in the fifth game of the 1988 season.

The next year, he broke his wrist playing basketball before the start of training camp, which affected his play, losing his starting job to Steve Folsom and eventually being waived on October 18, 1989.[4] In three-plus seasons, he was mostly known for his blocking ability, recording 29 receptions for 268 yards and 4 touchdowns.

New York Giants

On April 12, 1990, the New York Giants signed him as a free agent, but he was released before the start of the season.[5]

Personal life

Chandler was the director of the Boys & Girls Club in Deerfield Beach, Florida. He also served as a football assistant at Kingwood Park High School in Kingwood, Texas.

References
  1. "Athletes of the Century: Thornton Chandler". Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  2. "Quartet made mark at tight end". Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  3. "Thornton Chandler surprise addition to Bama roster". Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  4. "Cowboys Release Chandler". Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  5. "Deals". Retrieved January 13, 2018.
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