Drew Bledsoe
Quarterback Drew Bledsoe was a starter with the New England Patriots for nearly eight years, before moving on to lead the Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Cowboys.
Synopsis
Born February 14, 1972, Drew Bledsoe was a star quarterback at Washington State University before he skipped his senior year to go professional. In 1993, he was the No. 1 NFL draft pick and joined the New England Patriots. After nearly eight years he was traded to the Buffalo Bills, then moved to the Dallas Cowboys, where he was replaced by Tony Romo. Bledsoe retired in 2007.
Early Life
NFL quarterback Drew McQueen Bledsoe was born on February 14, 1972. Drew Bledsoe attended Walla Walla High School in Walla Walla, Washington, where he excelled at varsity football and basketball. He was the starting quarterback at Washington State University, where as a junior he was named Pac-10 offensive player of the year. He skipped his senior year to enter the NFL draft and was the No. 1 overall pick in 1993. Bledsoe began his professional career with the New England Patriots.
Professional Career
By Drew Bledsoe's second year with the Patriots, he led the league in passing attempts, completions, and touchdowns. For nearly eight years, he was the starting quarterback for the team and the face of the Patriots franchise. In 2001, an injury sustained after a hit with New York Jets linebacker Mo Lewis forced Bledsoe into the sidelines, and he never regained his starting position with the team.
In 2002, Drew Bledsoe was traded to the Buffalo Bills, and he was named to the Pro Bowl following his strong performance that year. In 2005, he reunited with head coach Bill Parcells by joining the Dallas Cowboys. He was the starting quarterback for Dallas until he was replaced by Tony Romo mid-season in 2006. Bledsoe announced his retirement from the NFL on April 11, 2007. He finished seventh all-time in yards passing, 13th in touchdown passes and fifth in completions.
Drew Bledsoe is married to Maura Healy; the couple has four children.
