Athletes - Amani Toomer

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	Athletes - Amani Toomer

Amani Toomer (born September 8, 1974 in Berkeley, California) is an American football wide receiver who plays for the New York Giants of the National Football League.

High school career

Toomer was an All-American at De La Salle High School in Concord, California. Several publications, including USA Today, Parade, and The Sporting News ranked him as one of the top high school wide receivers in the nation.

College career

Toomer attended the University of Michigan, where he finished in second place all-time among Wolverine receivers in receptions and yardage (both times behind Anthony Carter). As a junior, he became only the third player in school history (after Jack Clancy and Desmond Howard) to post 1,000 receiving yards in a season, finishing with 1,096. That same year, he made All-Big Ten First Team. Toomer made All-America his senior year, and All-Big Ten Second Team.

Early pro career

Toomer was selected in the second round (34th overall) of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Giants. His rookie season, he was primarily the punt and kick returner for the team, and set a record in his first game with an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown, the longest in team history, against the Buffalo Bills. He returned a second punt for a touchdown that season against the Philadelphia Eagles, before injuring his anterior cruciate ligament and spending the rest of the season on injured reserve. The next season, he scored another punt return touchdown, as well as his first receiving TD, a 56-yard reception from Danny Kanell against the Arizona Cardinals.

Breakout season

He finally became a starting wide receiver for the 1999 NFL season, and ended up setting the team record for receptions in a season (79). He and Ike Hilliard combined to become the first Giants duo to post over 2,100 receiving yards. His six touchdowns led the team, and his 1,183 yards were the second highest in team history behind Homer Jones. The following season, he came one short of tying his own record for receptions, and increased his touchdown total to 7. His 72 catches in the 2001 NFL season made him the first Giants wideout with three consecutive 70-reception seasons. He broke several Giants records in 2002, when he caught 82 passes for 1,343 yards and 8 touchdowns; the 8 TDs set a career-high, while the passes and receiving yards were new team records. His 204 yards against the Indianapolis Colts were the highest total for any wide receiver for a 60-minute game (2 players had higher receiving totals, but both of those games went to overtime). In 2003, Toomer surpassed Frank Gifford as the team's all-time leading receiving yardage leader, and finished the season with 6,366 yards. His 418 catches were also second all-time to teammate Tiki Barber. The 2004 NFL season marked the first time he did not score a touchdown since his rookie year, although he did finish the season with 51 catches for 747 yards, the 6th consecutive season he topped 50 catches & 700 yards. He entered the 2005 season in sole possession of the Giants' yardage record, and just 5 behind Barber in receptions. His 37 touchdowns are 4th in team history, behind Kyle Rote (48), Joe Morrison (47), and Gifford (43).

After a subpar 2004 campaign, Toomer rebounded to have a solid 2005 season. With new starting quarterback Eli Manning throwing for almost 3,800 passing yards, Toomer notched 60 receptions for almost 800 yards. The highlights of his season included a last second touchdown reception against the Denver Broncos, a late game-tying touchdown at Seattle, and a terrific fourth and goal catch for a touchdown against the Rams. After the Giants were eliminated in the postseason, Amani hinted that 2006 will probably be the final season for the overachieving wide receiver.

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Athletes - Amani Toomer

High school career

College career

Early pro career

Breakout season

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