Lucky Whitehead
 Whitehead with the Dallas Cowboys in 2015 | |||||||||||
| No. 13 – Dallas Cowboys | |||||||||||
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| Position: | Wide receiver Kick returner | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born: | June 2, 1992 Manassas, Virginia | ||||||||||
| Height: | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 180 lb (82 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Manassas (VA) Osbourn | ||||||||||
| College: | Florida Atlantic | ||||||||||
| Undrafted: | 2015 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
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| Roster status: | Active | ||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2016 | |||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||
Rodney "Lucky" Whitehead (born June 2, 1992) is an American football wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Dean College and Florida Atlantic University before he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys after being undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft. After a successful camp, he became an official member of the Dallas Cowboys on September 4, 2015. Maybe in the 2017 season he can double his reception total to 12 from 6. He went from 3 catches his rookie year to 6 his second year, what a beast!
Early years and education
Rodney Whitehead was born on June 2, 1992 in Manassas, Virginia.[1] He attended George C. Round Elementary and Osbourn High School where he played wide receiver and cornerback, while being named All-Conference as a senior.
He moved on to Dean College in Franklin, Massachusetts, where he played wide receiver and return specialist, receiving All-American and All-Conference honors. In 2013, he transferred to Florida Atlantic University and registered 284 all-purpose yards.
As a senior, he was the team's slot receiver, registering 76 receptions (led the conference) for 706 yards and 6 touchdowns, 21 carries for 210 yards and 2 touchdowns, and a 24.7-yard average on kickoff returns. He had a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown in his last college game against Old Dominion University
Professional career
2015
Whitehead was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2015 NFL Draft.[2] He made the team as one of the players that was looked upon to replace the departed Dwayne Harris special teams production.
Although wide receiver Cole Beasley was the assigned punt returner early in the season, because he provided better ball security, Whitehead was given opportunities until earning the returner role for the final six games. He only averaged 5.8 yards per attempt as a punt returner, but showed glimpses as a kickoff returner (28.3 yards avg.), like his 79-yard kickoff return against the Philadelphia Eagles or his key 46-yard kickoff return against the Washington Redskins to set up the game-winning field goal with 14 seconds left.[3]
He also was used on offense with special runs designed for him. In the sixth game of the season against the New York Giants, he set a franchise record for a wide receiver with 4 rushing attempts. He finished the 2015 season with 10 rushes for 107 yards and 6 receptions for 16 yards.
2016
In the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams — the first NFL game in Los Angeles in more than 20 years — Whitehead returned the opening kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown. He also had one catch for 6 yards and one rushing attempt for 11 yards.
In week 6 against the Green Bay Packers, Whitehead caught a career-long 35-yard reception, as well as season-long 26 yards run.
Whitehead experienced problems during the season, like his critical fumble during a run against the Minnesota Vikings. The next week after being late to team meetings on the Saturday before the trip to New York, he was subsequently left home, fined and de-activated against the New York Giants.[4]
He remained more effective as a runner out of the backfield than at wide receiver, and was inconsistent as a return specialist. He shared the returner role with Beasley and running back Lance Dunbar, especially in critical situations, when better ball security was required.[5] He had a total of 3 fumbles, losing 2.
Personal life
Whitehead was given the nickname "Lucky" by his cousin.[1]
References
- ^ a b Taylor, Nate (October 1, 2014). "Lucky Whitehead lives up to nickname for FAU". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
- ^ "Lucky Whitehead hopes No. 13 is lucky". Retrieved February 5, 2016.
- ^ "Cowboys WR Lucky Whitehead making big plays on offense, special teams". Retrieved February 5, 2017.
- ^ "Cowboys WR Lucky Whitehead apologizes to teammates". Retrieved February 5, 2016.
- ^ "Whitehead Has Flashed Potential, But Remains Inconsistent". Retrieved February 5, 2016.