Antonio Callaway

Antonio Callaway (born January 9, 1997) is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Florida, and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Antonio Callaway
refer to caption
Callaway with the Cleveland Browns in 2018
Personal information
Born: (1997-01-09) January 9, 1997
Florida City, Florida, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Booker T. Washington
(Miami, Florida)
College:Florida
Position:Wide receiver
NFL Draft:2018 / Round: 4 / Pick: 105
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • CBS Sports First-team All-America (2015)
Career NFL statistics as of 2020
Receptions:53
Receiving yards:695
Receiving touchdowns:5
Return yards:216
Rushing yards:7
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years

Callaway attended Booker T. Washington High School in Miami, Florida.[1]

College career

As a wide receiver at the University of Florida, he made an immediate impact in his true freshman season.[2][3][4] He was selected All-American as a return specialist by CBS Sports in 2015.[5] The 2015 Gators got off to an unexpected 6–0 start after entering their first four games unranked in the AP Poll.[6] Their fourth victory was a thrilling 28–27 come-from-behind victory over Tennessee as Will Grier completed a pass on 4th-and-14 to Callaway for a 63-yard touchdown, and Tennessee could not respond as they missed a 55-yard field goal attempt as time expired.[7] Callaway finished the 2015 season as Florida's leading receiver with 35 catches for 678 yards and four touchdowns.[8]

In January 2016, Callaway and quarterback Treon Harris were suspended from the team. Florida head coach Jim McElwain said the suspensions were related to "schoolwork."[9] It was later revealed that the suspensions were related to an accusation of sexual assault. A woman accused Callaway of sexual assault and Harris of attempted sexual assault in December 2015. The woman reported the alleged incident to Florida's student conduct and conflict resolution office, but did not report the incident to either Gainesville police or University of Florida police. The University of Florida suspended both players for violating the school's code of conduct policy. Both players remained suspended until June, when they returned to campus to take classes and work out at the school's facilities.[10] Callaway was found not responsible of sexually assaulting the female student by an independent hearing officer in a Title IX hearing. The ruling was made by attorney Jake Schickel, a former track and field athlete at Florida who has donated money to Florida's football and basketball programs. Schickel cleared Callaway of three violations of Florida's student conduct code, which included endangering another's health or safety, sexual assault and sexual misconduct, and conduct causing physical injury.[8] On December 7, 2017, while suspended, Callaway made the decision that he was going to enter the 2018 NFL Draft.[11]

Collegiate statistics
Season GP Receiving Rushing
RecYdsAvgTDAttYdsAvgTD
2015 143567819.443196.30
2016 125472113.435326.41
2017 0Suspended
Career26891,39915.778516.41

Professional career
External video
video icon Antonio Callaway's NFL Combine Workout
video icon Callaway runs a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
5 105⁄8 200 lb
(91 kg)		 31+1⁄2 in
(0.80 m)		 9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		4.41 s1.52 s2.57 s4.33 s7.00 s34 in
(0.86 m)		10 ft 1 in
(3.07 m)		7 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Florida's Pro Day[12][13]

Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns selected Callaway in the fourth round (105th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.[14] The Cleveland Browns traded their fourth (114th overall) and sixth round picks (178th overall) to the New England Patriots and received the Patriots' fourth round pick (105th overall) in exchange in order to draft Callaway.[15] Callaway was the 12th wide receiver drafted in 2018.[16]

External video
video icon Browns draft Antonio Callaway 105th overall
video icon Antonio Callaway Press Conference

2018 season

On May 21, 2018, the Cleveland Browns signed Callaway to a four-year, $3.17 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $717,853.[17][18]

Callaway began training camp competing against Jeff Janis, Ricardo Louis, and Rashard Higgins for the job as the fourth wide receiver on the Browns' depth chart.[19] Callaway and Rashard Higgins became contenders for a starting wide receiver position after Corey Coleman was granted a trade request on August 5, 2018.[20] Head coach Hue Jackson named Callaway the third wide receiver on the depth chart to start the regular season, behind Jarvis Landry and Josh Gordon.

He made his professional regular season debut in the Cleveland Browns' season-opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers and returned a kick for an eight-yard gain during their 21–21 tie.[21] On September 16, 2018, Callaway earned his first career start and replaced Josh Gordon due to a hamstring injury. He recorded three receptions for 81-yards and scored his first career touchdown during a 21–18 loss at the New Orleans Saints in Week 2.[22] Callaway caught his first career touchdown reception on a 47-yard pass by Browns' quarterback Tyrod Taylor during the fourth quarter.[23] The following day, head coach Hue Jackson named Callaway the starting wide receiver after the Browns traded Josh Gordon to the New England Patriots.[24] In Week 8, Callaway made a season-high five receptions for 36-yards and caught a one-yard touchdown pass thrown by Baker Mayfield as the Browns lost 33–18 at the Pittsburgh Steelers.[25]

2019 season

On August 9, 2019, Callaway was suspended for the first four games of the 2019 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.[26] He was reinstated from suspension on September 30, and was activated prior to Week 5. On November 14, the Browns waived Callaway after showing up late to meetings and practices.[27] He was also facing a 10-game suspension at the time of his release.[28] He lost his appeal on November 15, and was suspended for the final seven weeks of the 2019 regular season and the first three weeks of the 2020 regular season.[29]

Tampa Bay Vipers

Callaway was signed by the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL on January 16, 2020.[30] He suffered a lower leg injury in practice on January 29, and was placed on injured reserve on January 30.[31] He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.[32]

Miami Dolphins

On September 7, 2020, Callaway was signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad, while still serving a three-game suspension.[33] He was suspended an additional four games by the NFL on September 18.[34] He was reinstated from suspension on November 2, and the team activated him back to the practice squad.[35] He was elevated to the active roster on November 14 for the team's week 10 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.[36] Callaway was promoted to the active roster on November 18, 2020.[37] The Dolphins waived Callaway on December 21, 2020.[38]

Kansas City Chiefs

On January 13, 2021, Callaway signed a reserve/futures contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.[39] He was waived with an injury designation on August 17.[40] After going unclaimed on waivers, he was put on the Chiefs' injured reserve. He was released on August 26 after reaching an injury settlement with the Chiefs.

Dallas Cowboys

On November 11, 2022, the Dallas Cowboys hosted Callaway for a workout.[41] He was signed to the team’s practice squad four days later.[42] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 25, 2023.[43] He was released by Dallas on June 5, 2023, following his arrest.[44]

NFL career statistics
Year Team Games Receiving Rushing
GPGSTgtRecYdsY/RY/GTDAttYdsY/AY/GTDFum
2018CLE 1611794358613.636.65273.50.601
2019CLE 421588911.122.30000.00.000
2020MIA 51422010.04.00000.00.000
Career2514985369513.127.85273.50.601

On August 5, 2018, Callaway was issued a citation in Strongsville, Ohio for possession of marijuana and driving with a suspended license during a traffic stop at 3am.[45] The drug charges were dropped, and Callaway paid $911 for the license violation.[46]

Callaway was arrested in Miami, Florida on June 4, 2023 for driving with a suspended license. His arrest led to his subsequent release from the Cowboys the next day. [47]

See also

References
  1. "Booker T. Washington WR Antonio Callaway chooses Florida Gators". Miami Herald. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  2. Andy Hutchins (October 18, 2015). "Antonio Callaway adds more highlights to case for being Florida's best freshman ever". Alligator Army.
  3. "Antonio Callaway on pace for best freshman season in Florida Gators history". miamiherald.
  4. Joey Johnston – Tribune Staff (September 30, 2015). "Freshman Callaway gives UF a big-time playmaker". TBO.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  5. "CBS Sports 2015 College Football All-America Team". CBSSports.com.
  6. "2015 Florida Gators Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  7. Orlando Sentinel (September 27, 2015). "UF hero Antonio Callaway predicted touchdown prior to Gators win against Tennessee". OrlandoSentinel.com.
  8. Schlabach, Mark (August 12, 2016). "Florida WR Antonio Callaway cleared of sexual assault in Title IX hearing". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  9. Stephenson, Creg (May 4, 2016). "Florida's Treon Harris, Antonio Callaway remain suspended, Jim McElwain says". AL.com. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  10. Lavigne, Paula; Schlabach, Mark (August 5, 2016). "Accuser to boycott Title IX hearing after Florida gets booster to handle case". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  11. "Suspended Florida receiver Antonio Callaway reportedly declares for 2018 NFL Draft". NBC Sports. 7 December 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  12. "NFL Draft Profile: Antonio Callaway". NFL.com. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  13. "*Antonio Callaway, DS #35 WR, Florida". DraftScout.com. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  14. Wesseling, Chris (April 28, 2018). "Browns select WR Antonio Callaway in fourth round". NFL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  15. "Browns trade up to pick No. 105, select Antonio Callaway". Cleveland.com. April 28, 2018. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  16. "2018 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  17. Cabot, Mary kay (May 22, 2018). "Browns sign Chad Thomas and Antonio Callaway to their rookie contracts". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  18. "Spotrac.com: Antonio Callaway contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  19. Kruse, Zach (May 1, 2018). "Early Predictions for NFL's Most Interesting Training Camp Battles". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  20. Schudel, Jeff (August 6, 2018). "Rashard Higgins, Antonio Callaway in line to replace Corey Coleman as starting receiver". News-Herald. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  21. "Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns - September 9th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  22. "Gordon decision, Gonzalez misses, add to Browns' misfortune". AP News. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  23. "Cleveland Browns at New Orleans Saints - September 16, 2018". Pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  24. "Report: Browns moved on from Josh Gordon after he misled team, injured hamstring at commercial shoot". CBSSports.com. September 17, 2018. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  25. "Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers - October 28th, 2018". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  26. "Browns WR Antonio Callaway suspended 4 games". ClevelandBrowns.com. August 9, 2019.
  27. "Browns activate OL Drew Forbes from IR, waive WR Antonio Callaway". ClevelandBrowns.com. November 14, 2019.
  28. "WR Antonio Callaway has appealed a 10-game suspension for using a tainted CBD product, source says; waived by Browns". Cleveland.com. November 14, 2019.
  29. Patra, Kevin (November 15, 2019). "Former Browns WR Antonio Callaway loses appeal". NFL.com. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  30. Baer, Jack (January 16, 2020). "Out of NFL chances, ex-Browns WR Antonio Callaway signs with XFL team". Yahoo.com. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  31. Encina, Eduardo A. (January 30, 2020). "Former Gator Antonio Callaway's Vipers season ends before it starts". TampaBay.com. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  32. Condotta, Bob (April 10, 2020). "XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue". SeattleTimes.com. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  33. "Dolphins Announce Practice Squad". MiamiDolphins.com. September 7, 2020.
  34. Williams, Charean (September 18, 2020). "Antonio Callaway eligible to return in Week Eight". NBCSports.com. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  35. Crabbs, Kyle (November 2, 2020). "Dolphins cut one, activate WR Antonio Callaway onto practice squad". USAToday.com. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  36. "Kyle Van Noy Activated, Antonio Callaway Elevated to Active Roster". MiamiDolphins.com. November 14, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  37. Williams, Charean (November 18, 2020). "Dolphins sign Antonio Callaway to 53-player roster". NBCSports.com. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  38. Crabbs, Kyle (December 22, 2020). "Miami Dolphins waive wide receiver Antonio Callaway". Dolphinswire. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  39. "Chiefs' Antonio Callaway: Heading to Kansas City". CBSSports.com. January 13, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  40. "WR Antonio Callaway among Chiefs' cuts in trimming roster to 85". KSHB.com. 17 August 2021.
  41. "Here's why Cowboys working out QB, WR ahead of Packers game is significant". 11 November 2022.
  42. "Cowboys to add Antonio Callaway to practice squad". 16 November 2022.
  43. "Cowboys Sign Three to Futures Contracts". 27 February 2023.
  44. "Cowboys BREAKING: Antonio Callaway Cut Following Arrest, New WR Signed". SI.com. June 5, 2023.
  45. Cross, Ian (August 8, 2018). "Browns rookie receiver Callaway cited for marijuana possession in Strongsville". News5Cleveland. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  46. Schrotenboer, Brent (August 8, 2018). "NFL Player Arrests Database". USA Today. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  47. Archer, Todd (June 5, 2023). "Cowboys release WR Antonio Callaway following arrest". ESPN. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
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