American former professional football, Terrell Davis

Muna Khadki

How Many Years Did Terrell Davis Play in the NFL? Post-NFL Career And Handcuff Story

NFL

Former NFL player Terrell Davis is best known for his seven years in the NFL, during which time he played for the Denver Broncos, where he won two Super Bowls and earned NFL MVP honors.

After his retirement, plagued with injuries, he went on to become an NFL analyst before starting his nutrition company, DEFY.

The Denver Broncos running back began his NFL career in 1995 as the sixth round (196th pick overall) of the 1995 NFL draft. He devoted most of his playing career to the club and was also credited with starting the “Mile High Salute,” which was followed by other Denver Bronco players after scoring a touchdown.

The Bronco’s all-time leading rusher was nicknamed “T. D.” which was an abbreviation of the initials of his name and the touchdown.

Outside of his playing career, and post-playing career, Davis got into the media limelight after he was detained with handcuffs and escorted off the plane in July 2024. Stick with the article for details.

Terrell Davis Over A Decade Career In NFL

Davis played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 years. His career started when the Denver Broncos drafted him in the sixth round of the 1995 NFL Draft. The Broncos have been home to NFL players like Shannon Sharpe and Brandon McManus.

Terrell quickly became the starting running back, rushing for over 1,000 yards in his rookie season.

His performance on the team continued to grow, and he became a prominent player. In 1997, Davis rushed for 1,750 yards and 15 touchdowns, helping the Broncos secure their first Super Bowl victory.

Terrell had his best season the following year, rushing for 2,008 yards and earning the NFL MVP award. Also, he led the Broncos to another Super Bowl victory.

Terrell Davis NFL career
Former football player Terrell Davis shares an old snap of his match on his Instagram handle. (Source: Instagram)

During his professional career, Terrell also became the victim of injuries multiple times. In 1999, in a game against the New York Jets, he had an injury in the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament of his right knee.

Moreover, Terrell’s achievements earned him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

See More: Max Melton’s Parents Are Former Athletes; His Older Brother Is Already In The NFL

Lucrative NFL Contracts During Playing Career

As reported from his seven NFL seasons (excluding the 2002 season, as he retired in preseason), Terrell made $18,907,000 in career earnings. Having signed his first-ever NFL contract- a 3-year $484K deal, on July 1, 1995, the running back’s playing performance saw him rise in salary.

On July 31, 1996, Davis inked a 5-year $6.8 million contract extension that included a $1 million signing bonus. With his increased performance, the NFL player saw another contract extension, $51.9 million for nine years, on July 14, 1998, which included a $11 million signing bonus.

However, by the 2002 preseason, continuous injury folded his playing career. He had played only eight games in the 2001-02 season.

Note: All earnings of Terrell were with the Denver Broncos

SeasonSalary
1995-96$157K
1996-97$1.2 million
1997-98$500K
1998-99$11.5 million (due to signing bonus)
1999-2000$900K
2000-01$1.3 million
2001-02$3 million
2002-03 (did not play)$350K

Short Details On Terrell Davis Collegiate Career

Terrell Davis had a notable collegiate career before entering the NFL. He started his journey at Long Beach State University, where he played under coach George Allen until the program was discontinued after Allen’s death.

He transferred to the University of Georgia, where he played for the Bulldogs. At Georgia, Davis initially served as a backup before becoming the starting running back.

Terrell Davis collegiate career
Under coach George Allen, Terrell Davis began his early football career at Long Beach State University. (Source: Instagram)

He rushed for 1,657 yards and 14 touchdowns over his two seasons with the Bulldogs and received a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Economics from the University of Georgia.

Terrell Davis’ Career After Retirement From NFL

Terrell Davis retired from the NFL during the 2002 preseason. Despite retiring from playing, Davis has stayed active in various fields and maintained a presence in the sports world.

He has also served as an NFL analyst for various networks, including the NFL Network, and has appeared in shows such as Sesame Street, The Jersey, The Colbert Report, and Bar Rescue.

Terrell Davis, the former professional American footballer
Terrell Davis is promoting his brand, DEFY, through his IG handle. (Source: Instagram)

Terrell has also been involved in several business ventures. He co-founded a company called DEFY in February 2018. According to his LinkedIn profile, he is also a partner at Alpha 1 Tax & Wealth (June 2018- present).

Besides his professional career, Davis is a happy family man with his wife, Tamiko Nash. The lovely couple lives in Temecula, California, with their three kids: Jackson, Myles, and Dylan.

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