Centers then played for the Washington Redskins (1999–2000), the Buffalo Bills (2001–2002), and finally was a member of the New England Patriots, with whom he won a Super Bowl.
After his family moved to nearby Tatum, where his mother was an administrator in education, Centers decided to play football again after being urged to do so by his elder brother.
[3] In 1989, with Centers as their starting running back, the Lumberjacks advanced to the 1989 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game where they lost by a field goal to the Georgia Southern Eagles.
After graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University, Centers was selected by the Phoenix Cardinals in the fifth round of the 1990 NFL draft.
[5][6] He saw limited playing time in his first two seasons, as head coach Joe Bugel had doubts on his ability to carry the ball and thought of him as a third-down running back.
[9] On October 4, 1992, Centers scored the winning touchdown against the Washington Redskins with less than a minute remaining to break an 11-game Cardinals losing streak.
Unfortunately, his team was not successful despite his contributions; they finished the 1995 season with a 4–12 record and Ryan was fired at the end of the year and replaced by Vince Tobin.
Both the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants were interested in his services, but ultimately he signed a three-year, $7.5 million contract to stay with the Cardinals after switching agents, becoming the fifth highest paid running back in the league.
[13] After previously leading the team in receptions the last four seasons, the Cardinals started to try Centers in different offensive formations at wide receiver.
[9][16] During a crucial game against the 49ers, Centers caught a 33-yard touchdown pass in overtime, which made the Redskins the NFC Eastern division champs for the first time since 1991 and gave the team a playoff berth.
[9] In the fourth quarter of a 23–20 loss against the Seattle Seahawks, he surpassed Ronnie Harmon's record for most receiving yards by an NFL running back with a two-yard reception.
[1] He also surpassed Hall of Famers Charlie Joiner and Michael Irvin to reach the top ten in all-time receptions by a player.
[9] Centers' 827 receptions are currently the most by any running back and were the most by any non-wide receiver in NFL history, until tight end Tony Gonzalez surpassed this mark in 2008.