5 Michigan in 2001 - Todd also remains in tune with his alma mater. Years after creating some great moments at Michigan State - most notably his two-yard game-winning touchdown catch from quarterback Jeff Smoker as time expired to beat No. Through the years, Todd has also become an impactful public speaker, whether talking to kids, adults or military members. He has also worked alongside his brother, Tico, through their janitorial company called Duckett Brothers Distributing. In addition, Duckett keeps busy through his clothing design company called The Printing King. The challenge is named after Duckett’s mother, who passed away in 2000 after a six-year battle with lymphatic cancer. In 2011, Duckett created a new non-profit organization called New World Flood with the goal of helping the less fortunate through several means, whether it was handing out food for Thanksgiving, hosting a flag football tournament called the Battlefield Brawl or donating school supplies to kids.Īiming to help people give back, Duckett has begun many initiatives through the organization over the years, including launching the Jacquelyn Barham Challenge, a fundraiser which raises awareness about life-threatening illnesses. He realized there was more to life than football, and decided he wanted to help others while giving back. After a couple of years, he decided to quit drinking and began fasting, losing 80 pounds. However, Duckett persevered through the tough times. He couldn’t grasp his football career ending, and the depression lasted to the point of contemplating suicide.
In 2009, Duckett was sitting outside of Spartan Stadium in the middle of the night, drunk and depressed. With an early exit from the league after a career that may not have quite lived up to the billing considering what he did at Michigan State, Duckett’s life changed, and at first took a turn for the worse. The 2008 season would be the final time Duckett suited up in an NFL game. Duckett would post an improved season in 2007 with the Detroit Lions, and capped his career in 2008 with the Seattle Seahawks. However, after tailing off a bit in 2005, Duckett would be traded to the Washington Redskins, where he would rush for a career – low 132 yards during the 2006 season. In each of his first three seasons, Duckett rushed for over 500 yards, highlighted by a 779-yard, 11-touchdown season in 2003. Again, he made an instant impact as a power back for the Falcons alongside fellow running back Warrick Dunn and star quarterback Michael Vick. He had a true breakout in his sophomore year, rushing for 1,353 yards, and improved on that mark as a junior with 1,420.Īfter the 2001 season, Duckett declared for the NFL Draft. Duckett followed in the footsteps of his older brother who played for the Spartans in the early 1990s.ĭuckett burst onto the scene right away for the Spartans as a freshman, amassing 10 of his 30 total touchdowns while at MSU. However, the football standout was hoping to play running back in college, and received the opportunity to do so from now legendary coach, Nick Saban, at Michigan State University. While he did play running back, Duckett was also a talented linebacker, and was rated as one of the best at the position in the nation. Growing up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Duckett attended Loy Norrix High School where he was a consensus All-American. Drafted 18th overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 2002, Duckett was poised to become one of the top running backs in the league. Duckett - now known as Todd Duckett - was just starting his NFL career.
0 kommentar(er)
