Jon Ritchie

Last updated

Jon Ritchie
Jon Ritchie (cropped).png
Ritchie in 2019
No. 40, 48
Position: Fullback
Personal information
Born: (1974-09-04) September 4, 1974 (age 49)
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High school: Cumberland Valley
(Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania)
College: Stanford
NFL Draft: 1998  / Round: 3 / Pick: 63
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:15
Rushing yards:36
Rushing touchdowns:0
Receptions:150
Receiving yards:1,148
Receiving touchdowns:7
Player stats at NFL.com

Jon David Ritchie (born September 4, 1974) is an American former professional American football fullback in the National Football League, who is currently a sports radio host. He started for seven seasons in the NFL, playing for the Oakland Raiders and the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite only 15 rushing attempts in his career, Ritchie built a reputation with his blue collar work ethic as being one of the best blocking fullbacks in the NFL. [1] Ritchie won the Travers award for best male high school athlete.

Contents

Ritchie co-hosted The Artie Lange Show alongside comedian Artie Lange from 2013 to 2014. He currently co-hosts the 94.1 WIP Morning Show, a sports talk radio show in Philadelphia, with Joe DeCamara, as well as James Seltzer.

Early life

Ritchie attended Cumberland Valley High School near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, from 1989 to 1993. He led his high school football team to the state championship in 1992.

College career

Ritchie was rated the #1 fullback recruit in the nation. [2] A Pennsylvania native, Ritchie was recruited hard by Penn State and their coach Joe Paterno. [2] However, Ritchie wanted to avoid the pressure of playing for his home-state team. [2]

Upon graduation, Ritchie attended Michigan as a freshman and sophomore. At Michigan, he played as a true freshman. During his career at Michigan, he rushed for 120 yards and caught two passes for 13 yards. Then in 1995 he transferred to Stanford where he played as a junior and senior. At Stanford, he first started as an inside linebacker, but switched to fullback. He rushed 17 times for 95 yards and received nine passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns. He is a member of Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity. [3]

Professional career

Ritchie was drafted in the third round (63rd overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. [4] He started for the Raiders for five seasons. Raiders running back Charlie Garner posted three seasons of more than 1,700 yards from scrimmage with Ritchie as his teammate after rushing for just 381 yards the year before he joined Oakland. The Raiders led the league in total yardage in 2002, en route to an AFC Championship and appearance in Super Bowl XXXVII, where Oakland lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In 2003, Ritchie signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. He had expressed an interest in playing closer to his hometown, which was just 90 miles west of Philadelphia, so his friends and family could watch and attend his games. In 2003, the Eagles running back tandem of Brian Westbrook, Duce Staley, Correll Buckhalter and quarterback Donovan McNabb rushed for 2,015 yards and 23 touchdowns behind Ritchie. [5] Ritchie was also second on the team in touchdown receptions in 2003 (behind Westbrook, and ahead of Staley), with the Eagles running backs playing a larger role in the passing game than the lackluster receiving core. [6]

Four games into the 2004 season, Ritchie suffered a season-ending knee injury. He re-signed with the Eagles on a one-year contract for the 2005 season while recovering from his injury. Though Ritchie had been taking first team reps as the starting fullback during training camp, he was released by the team during final cuts. He retired from playing prior to the 2006 season and began a career in sports media. [7]

NFL career statistics

YearTeamGPRushingReceivingFumbles
AttYdsAvgTDRecYdsAvgTDFumLost
1998 OAK 159232.60292257.8021
1999 OAK 165122.40454089.1100
2000 OAK 13000.00261736.7000
2001 OAK 15000.00191548.1200
2002 OAK 16000.0010666.6110
2003 PHI 16101.0017865.1300
2004 PHI 3000.004369.0000
Total9415362.401501,1487.7731

Media career

Ritchie worked as the color commentator for NFL Europa games broadcast on NFL Network, and did NFL commentary for the local ABC station, WHTM-TV. [8] He has also done analyst work with CN8 for college games. [8]

Ritchie appeared as a contributor on ESPN including shows such as First Take, Outside the Lines, and College Football Overdrive for ESPNews. [8] In September 2010, he started hosting a college football Saturday edition of SportsNation with Michelle Beadle. In 2013, he became co-host on the nationally syndicated late night radio program The Artie Lange Show. [8] The show was syndicated throughout the country on terrestrial radio and Sirius XM, the show was also broadcast live on Directv's Audience network nightly until April 28, 2014. [8]

Ritchie then worked as an on-air personality and analyst for the NBC Sports Network and DirecTV, appearing every week on NBCSN's Fantasy Football Live and DirecTV's Fantasy Zone Channel on Sundays. [8] He was also a contributor to ComcastSportsNet's regional NFL coverage and NFL coverage on NBC Radio. [8]

In 2016, Ritchie began co-hosting the WIP Midday Show show with Joe DeCamara on 94.1 WIP Sports Radio in Philadelphia. [8] In 2023, DeCamara and Ritchie were promoted to the WIP Morning Show. [8]

Personal life

After retiring from the NFL, Ritchie moved back to his hometown of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where he helped coach the varsity football team for which he played, the Cumberland Valley Eagles. He spoke at the baccalaureate for the class of 2005 and the class of 2008.

State Senate campaign

Ritchie announced in February 2016 that he would run for the Pennsylvania State Senate to replace the retiring Pat Vance in Pennsylvania's 31st Senatorial District. He touted himself as a candidate who would lower taxes, fight for pension reform, and help to revitalize Pennsylvania's education system. [9] In a four-way race for the Republican nomination, Ritchie finished second to Mike Regan. [10] Ritchie actually won the Democratic nomination by write-in votes [11] despite not campaigning for it, [12] but ultimately decided not to run in the general election. [13] [14]

Related Research Articles

The second AFL–NFL World Championship Game was an American football game played on January 14, 1968, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. The National Football League (NFL)'s defending champion Green Bay Packers defeated American Football League (AFL) champion Oakland Raiders by the score of 33–14. This game and the following year's are the only two Super Bowls played in the same stadium in consecutive seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XV</span> 1981 conclusion to the NFL postseason; Raiders vs Eagles

Super Bowl XV was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Oakland Raiders and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Philadelphia Eagles to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1980 season. The Raiders defeated the Eagles by the score of 27–10, becoming the first wild card playoff team to win a Super Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XXXVII</span> 2003 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl XXXVII was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Oakland Raiders and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 2002 season. The Buccaneers defeated the Raiders by the score of 48–21, tied with Super Bowl XXXV for the seventh largest Super Bowl margin of victory, winning their first-ever Super Bowl, and ending the NFC South's time as the last division with no Super Bowl championships. The game was played on January 26, 2003, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Jaworski</span> American football player and analyst (born 1951)

Ronald Vincent Jaworski, nicknamed "Jaws", is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) from 1973 to 1989 during which he played for the Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, and Kansas City Chiefs. As quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1981, Jaworski led the Eagles to their first ever Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl XV.

Eric Andre Allen is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, and Oakland Raiders from 1988 to 2001. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Allen retired from playing after the 2001 season and is currently an NFL analyst for Pac-12 Networks. In his NFL career, he recorded 54 interceptions for 827 yards and eight touchdowns, while also recovering seven fumbles. His 54 interceptions ties him for 21st in NFL history. He now lives in San Diego, California with his wife Lynn Allen, with whom he has four children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keith Byars</span> American football player (born 1963)

Keith Alan Byars is an American sports broadcaster and former professional football player. He was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

James Solomon "Big Jim" Nance was an American professional football player who was a fullback with the Boston Patriots during their days in the American Football League (AFL). He was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2009. He played college football for the Syracuse Orangemen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WIP-FM</span> Sports radio station in Philadelphia

WIP-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to serve Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The station is owned by Audacy, Inc. and broadcasts a sports radio format. The WIP-FM offices and studios are co-located within Audacy's corporate headquarters in Center City, Philadelphia, and the broadcast tower used by the station is located in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia at.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Parry</span> American football player (born 1978)

Joshua David Parry is a former American football fullback. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He played college football at San Jose State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lorenzo Neal</span> American football player (born 1970)

Lorenzo LaVonne Neal is an American former professional football fullback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for sixteen seasons. Neal played college football for the Fresno State Bulldogs and was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. A four-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro, he was also a member of the New York Jets, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Tennessee Titans, the Cincinnati Bengals, the San Diego Chargers, the Baltimore Ravens and the Oakland Raiders. Considered one of the best blocking fullbacks in NFL history, Neal blocked for a 1,000-plus-yard running back in eleven straight seasons from 1997 to 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark van Eeghen</span> American football player (born 1952)

Mark van Eeghen is an American former professional football player who was a running back for ten years in the National Football League (NFL), during which he made two Super Bowl appearances. He played eight seasons for the Oakland Raiders (1974–1981) and then two seasons with the New England Patriots (1982–1983). Van Eeghen rushed for over 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons from 1976–1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zack Crockett</span> American football player (born 1972)

Zachary Theopolis Crockett is a SE Scout for the Las Vegas Raiders and former American football fullback. He was originally drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Todd Christensen</span> American football player (1956–2013)

Todd Jay Christensen was an American professional football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL) from 1978 until 1988, primarily with the Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders. He played college football for the BYU Cougars and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 1978 NFL Draft. Following his retirement Christensen became a commentator for both professional and collegiate games, working for NBC Sports, ESPN, and CBS Sports Network among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marv Hubbard</span> American football player (1946–2015)

For the career criminal of the same name, see Battle of Alcatraz

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ike Reese</span> American football player and sports radio host (born 1973)

Isaiah "Ike" Reese is an American sports radio host and former professional football player. He played as a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Owen Schmitt</span> American football player (born 1985)

Owen Schmitt is a former American football fullback. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at West Virginia University. Before transferring to the Mountaineers he played at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Kenneth Leon King is an American former professional football player who was a running back for seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL), mainly with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. He was a starter for the Raiders in Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XVIII.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke Lawton</span> American football player (born 1980)

Richard Luke Lawton is a former American football fullback. He was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at McNeese State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al Pollard</span> American football player (1928–2002)

Alfred Lee Pollard was a professional football fullback and halfback. After a brief stint at Loyola University, he decided to transfer to the United States Military Academy (Army) in the spring of 1949 where he played under the renowned Vince Lombardi as his backfield coach. In his 1950 season, he was Army's statistical leader in scoring and rushing. He resigned from the school after being involved in an cribbing scandal which decimated the ranks of Army's sports teams. He was drafted by the New York Yanks in the 21st round of the 1951 NFL Draft, and Pollard played a total of 30 games in the NFL with the Yanks and the Philadelphia Eagles, scoring one career touchdown. In 1954, he left the Eagles for opportunity and played in the Western Interprovincial Football Union, later known as the Canadian Football League, for the BC Lions, achieving "All Canadian" status. After retiring from football in 1957, he pursued a number of business ventures in Canada including a beverage distributorship and a well regarded Steakhouse restaurant. He move back to Pennsylvania and became a color commentator on Eagles broadcasts, first with CBS television from 1961 to 1964, and then on WIP radio, where he worked with play-by-play man Charlie Swift from 1969 to 1976. Pollard also anchored a postgame Eagles program for WCAU-TV. During his broadcasting years, he worked as a regional sales manager with a large commercial printing company and developed an ice skating and tennis court facility in Berwyn, Pa. He died of lymphoma on March 3, 2002.

Joseph DeCamara is an American sports radio personality for 94.1 WIP in Philadelphia, who is the host of the WIP Morning Show host. DeCamara began his career as a producer at the radio station WBCB and hosted nationally syndicated shows for ESPN Radio.

References

  1. PRO FOOTBALL; Jon Ritchie is a Studied Breath of Fresh Air
  2. 1 2 3 "A different ballgame". Daily Collegian . Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  3. The Rainbow, vol. 132, no. 2, p. 14,
  4. "1998 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  5. Where Are They Now? FB Jon Ritchie
  6. 2003 Philadelphia Eagles Statistics & Players
  7. NFL | Ritchie retires; heading to a broadcasting career
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "WIP TO MOVE JOE DECAMARA AND JON RITCHIE TO MORNINGS FOLLOWING ANGELO CATALDI'S RETIREMENT". RadioInsight. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  9. "Ritchie 4 Senate". Archived from the original on December 18, 2015.
  10. State rep wins over former NFL player in 31st Senate District race
  11. Jon Ritchie may end up on Democratic ticket this fall
  12. Jon Ritchie adds to his write-in total with 127 votes in York County
  13. Ritchie withdraws, Democrats looking for Senate candidate
  14. Ritchie talks politics after ending Senate race