Does Anyone Remember....Tyrone Calico?

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Does anyone remember Tyrone Calico?

I surely do—more than any of you on this website. You guys probably never even heard of him. This biography is probably my second favorite next to the Mark Bavaro's biography. You want to know how I came up with this article?

It was my birthday party two weeks ago, and I was giving away some of my jerseys that were too small. Some included Mike Dunleavy, Tony "Homo" Romo, and Eric Gordon. I also had Anthony Gonzalez, Reggie Bush, Santana Moss, and Dwayne Wade. Then there was two I kept: Donovan McNabb and Barry Sanders.

Then I found this jersey with the name "Calico" and the No. 87 on the back. It was Tyrone Calico's jersey. My friends were like: "Who in the hell is Tyrone Calico?"

Well, my friends, this is who he is:

Coming out of a small college, Middle Tennessee State University, no one thought Calico would shine in the NFL. They thought he would just play half a season or less in the NFL.

False.

Calico was a steal in the NFL draft. He was drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft, and he was a star with the Titans. In his rookie year, 2003, Calico looked to be a fifth stringer. But, luckily, Jeff Fisher gave him a shot.

Calico started out well in his rookie campaign. In his first two games, he had two touchdowns, each of them on his first two receptions! Calico was becoming a star with the Titans at the slot receiver position.

Calico was given few opportunities in his rookie year. He only started two games out of his 14 games played. He ended the year with 18 catches for 297 yards and an amazing four touchdowns, which is decent for a rookie who only started two games!

I thought Calico should have been a huge star. He was Middle Tennessee State's second all-time leading receiver. He had 194 catches for 2,636 yards and 17 touchdowns. Also, his 6'4" and 222-pound frame made him look dominant.

Calico also impressed scouts, like the Titans, having the fastest 40-yard dash time with 4.34 seconds, that year's fastest time by a wide receiver at the Combine. Even though he was the 60th pick in the draft, I just couldn't believe he only played for only five seasons.

The next year was not all great for Calico. He was injured for the whole year and only had two catches for 13 yards. Zero touchdowns was just depressing. His longest catch was nine yards that season.

In Calico's third year, he had only 22 catches for 191 yards and still zero touchdowns. I still thought Calico was the man. In Madden, he was a fourth stringer and those numbers are good for a guy with that spot in the depth chart. His longest catch was 18 yards, better than his nine-yard catch the year before.

In 2006, Calico looked to strike but was unable to do anything. He didn't play at all, but he was still on the Titans' roster, which means he was making "money."

In 2007, Calico was cut by the Titans due to his injuries. It ended when Roy Williams did one of his well-known "horse collar" tackles on Calico.

Calico didn't have a chance to prove he was the man. Even though he joined some weird thing called the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Calico had another shot of playing, though.

On May 13, 2008, he was signed by the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL. But they released him the next day, which seem silly.

Calico still contributes to his Titans squad. He has a website called Big Catch Calico.  The site is mainly about the Titans and him.

Calico is right now living the "retired" and good life. He still lives in Tennessee. It's a city called Brentwood. Calico is still looking for a team that might need him.

He's only 28 years old. He still has a shot. We'll see sometime soon.

Anyone who played in the NFL was a good football player. And guess who was one of them? Tyrone Calico.

Calico had 41 catches for 502 yards and four touchdowns in his NFL career.

Calico deserved a shot. The truth is no one gave him one. I wish all the luck to Calico, and I hope he lives a good life. Amen.

Now, do you remember Tyrone Calico?

He's still making money, and he is still living the good life.

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