NFL Birthday, Feb. 7: Billy Joe Tolliver

While waiting and thumbing through history.....

Billy Joe Tolliver

Born: Feb. 7, 1966, Dallas, TX.

High School: Boyd High School, Boyd, TX.

College: Texas Tech.

Draft: San Diego Chargers, 2nd round, 51st overall.

Teams and some details:

• San Diego Chargers (1989–1990) Starter job was given to Jim McMahon after San Diego picked him up in a trade, though McMahon would disappoint and himself be benched. McMahon was released at the end of the year. Tolliver stuck around for 1990 but the Chargers wanted to go with John Friesz and Tolliver was traded as the '91 season opened.
• Atlanta Falcons (1991–1993) Threw a 44-yard Hail Mary to Michael Haynes to upset the 49ers on November 3rd.
• Houston Oilers (1994) Started seven games and became a free agent at the end of the season.
• Shreveport Pirates (1995) - CFL - Played one season in the CFL's experiment of playing in the USA. Picked up around $1 million and threw 16 TDs.
• Atlanta Falcons (1996–1997) Backed up Chris Chandler and started one game.
• Kansas City Chiefs (1997) Elvis Grbac broke his collarbone and the Chiefs picked up Tolliver to replace him as a backup.
• New Orleans Saints (1998–2000) Billy Joe Hobert ruptured an Achilles and the Saints picked up Tolliver to fill in. He played behind Danny Wuerffel, but Ditka started Tollliver for 4 games. Tolliver was eventually benched in favor of Kerry Collins. Tolliver finished the year with 1,427 yard, 8 TD, 4 INT.
• Chicago Bears (2001) - off-season / practice squad
• Green Bay Packers (2001) - off-season / practice squad - Tolliver released as Doug Pederson won the backup spot behind Brett Favre.

Career totals: 79 G, 59 TD, 64 INT, 10,760 yds, Cmp% 52.2.

After football: Tolliver and his wife have five kids. He's an accomplished golfer and has played in and won several celebrity tournaments.

Sources: KCBD, PFR, Wikipedia, Denver Post