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Former Cerritos College All-American wide receiver/kick
returner T.J. Houshmandzadeh, now in
his sixth year with the Cincinnati Bengals, as been
named as an alternate to the Pro Bowl for the first time
in his career. Although the Bengals are fighting for a
playoff spot, Houshmandzadeh is having his best season
of his career. This past week, he caught nine passes for
94 yards and a touchdown that got Cincinnati to within a
point in the final minute against the Denver Broncos.
However, a missed extra point resulted in a 24-23 loss.
In 13 games this
season (he missed the first two with an injury),
Houshmandzadeh has turned in career-highs with
86 receptions for 1,037 yards and nine touchdowns. He
has caught 10 passes twice this season and has gone over
100 yards in three games.
While with the
Falcons from 1997-98, Houshmandzadeh was a two-time 1st
Team Mission Conference selection as a wide receiver and
kickoff returner, while he earned 1st Team honors as a
punt returner his freshman year. He was also a 1st Team
All-J.C. Grid-Wire All-American as a kick returner and
wide receiver as a sophomore. He holds the school record
for two 100-yard kickoff returns for touchdowns, while
he also brought back an 87-yard punt for a touchdown as
a freshman. Houshmandzadeh still holds the school record
for most career receiving yards (1,152), while his 65
career receptions are fourth in school history.
After playing
for the Falcons, he played two seasons at Oregon State
University and as a senior, helped spark the Beavers to
No. 4 national ranking and a Fiesta Bowl victory over
Notre Dame. Including the Fiesta Bowl, Houshmandzadeh
caught 48 passes for 730 yards with seven TD's on the
season. |
