Rodney Parker (born July 18, 1953) is an American former gridiron football wide receiver who played six seasons professionally.
He played college football at Tennessee State and was a sixth round NFL draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 1978.
After two seasons with them, Parker played two years in the United States Football League (USFL) with the Philadelphia Stars and San Antonio Gunslingers.
[9] After graduating from Tennessee State, Parker was selected in the sixth round (152nd overall) of the 1978 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons.
[10] On August 1, in training camp, Parker suffered a strained knee that the Falcons announced would sideline him for several weeks.
[13] Parker was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) as an American import in early September to replace Ron Jamerson.
[14] In his CFL debut, a 29–31 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Parker had a "big night," recording six catches for 108 yards.
[7] After being released by Saskatchewan, at the time the worst team in professional football, Parker gave up on advancing his sports career.
When you have to go home and face friends and tell them you got cut by the worst team in Canada and that you're going to be doing something else rather than-playing football..."[22] Believing his career was over, Parker returned to school and completed courses to become a deputy sheriff.
[23] In a preseason game against the New York Jets, which the Eagles won 28–13, Parker caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Pisarcik.
[24] Parker was the final receiver to be released at roster cuts, and was let go to make room for rookie tight end Ray Sydnor.
[22] However, at the end of September, receiver Scott Fitzkee suffered an injury versus the St. Louis Cardinals and Parker was asked to rejoin the team.
[26] Parker was given a locker that was meant for interior offensive linemen, due to the Eagles having no others available, and at first, was mainly used to demonstrate routes of opposing receivers in practice.
[28] Parker saw significant playing time in the Eagles' 24–0 win against the Washington Redskins three games later, making three catches for 46 yards.
[29] In a 21–22 loss to the San Diego Chargers two weeks afterwards, Parker made a 14-yard reception which was described as the "most difficult catch" of the game.
[32] Entering the final game of the season, against the Dallas Cowboys, the only way the Eagles would not win the division was if they lost by 25 or more points, due to tiebreaker rules.
After injuries to Harold Carmichael and Charlie Smith, Parker was put in the game and made four receptions for 68 yards, including his first career touchdown, which, according to quarterback Ron Jaworski, "may have been the biggest catch of this season.
[34][35] The Austin American-Statesman reported, Time for a quick look-in, something the guy the Eagles would have preferred not to be playing in this situation (Parker) might be able to execute.
"[35] Jaworski threw a deep pass towards Parker, who positioned himself, then leaped over the defender, caught the ball and fell into the endzone for the touchdown.
[34][35] Prior to the Eagles' first playoff game, the divisional round against the Minnesota Vikings, Parker was named the third receiver on the depth chart due to an injury to Charlie Smith.
[38][39] Due to the injuries, Parker was named a starter for the NFC Championship game against the rival Dallas Cowboys.
[6]Prior to the game, Charlie Smith recovered, putting Parker back into a backup role, but still in a position to receive significant playing time.
[43] Jaworski then threw a 40-yard touchdown to Parker to tie the score, 7–7, but it was called back by a controversial illegal motion penalty on Harold Carmichael.
[42] Parker began preseason third on the depth chart at receiver, behind Charlie Smith and Harold Carmichael, but also competing with Scott Fitzkee, Ray Sydnor, Alvin Hooks, Luther Blue and Wally Henry for a spot on the final roster.
[48] On the play, quarterback Jaworski went back to throw in shotgun formation and threw a deep pass to Parker, who had gotten past safety Beasley Reece, down the left sideline at around the New York 20-yard line.
[52] The Eagles lost their first game of the season against the Minnesota Vikings in week seven, in which Parker made one catch for 10 yards.
[51] In late October, it was announced that Parker was one of three Eagles nominated for the NFL Man of the Year Award, given to those who "not only excel on the gridiron, but also contribute generously to their communities off the field.
"[53] In week nine against the rival Dallas Cowboys, Parker made one catch for 16 yards,[51] but dropped a crucial third down pass in the final two minutes, which, along with a missed field goal on the next play by Tony Franklin, cost the Eagles the win in a 14–17 loss.
[59] Later in the month, coach Dick Vermeil said that "if the final cut had to be made today, Parker would still be on the roster as, at worst, a role player.
[67] Shortly before the 1984 season starter, Parker was traded with three others to the San Antonio Gunslingers for undisclosed draft picks.