Todd Wade

Todd McLaurin Wade (born October 30, 1976) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2000 NFL draft. He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels.

Wade also played for the Houston Texans, Washington Redskins and Jacksonville Jaguars. Including the playoffs, Wade played in 102 NFL games.

Early life Wade was born in Greenwood, Mississippi, and played high school football at Jackson Preparatory School in Jackson, Mississippi.

College career Wade went on to be a four-year letterman and three-year starter at the University of Mississippi. He started 32 of the 44 games in which he played during his career, including starts in each of his final 32 collegiate games. He also opened all 11 contests at right tackle his senior season and was a first-team All-SEC choice and a second-team All-American selection.

Professional career

Miami Dolphins Wade was drafted in the second round of the 2000 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins where he played for four seasons, starting in 63 regular season games, as well as three playoff games. He started all 16 games as a rookie from the right tackle position, plowing the way for Lamar Smith to break the 1,000 yard barrier and helping to restrict the opposition to only 28 sacks. Wade was a member of the NFL All-Rookie Team as well as Offensive Rookie of the Month of October. In 2001, he started 15 games, missing only one game due to injury. He helped Smith lead the Dolphins in rushing and again limited the opposing defenses to sack the Dolphins quarterbacks under 30 times. In 2002, Wade again anchored the right side of the offensive line, starting all 16 games. He was instrumental in paving the way for Ricky Williams to gain an NFL leading 1,853 yards while only allowing 25 sacks throughout the season. In 2003, Williams again broke the 1,000 yard barrier behind Wade, who started all 16 games for Miami. Miami cruised to an overall 41–23 record with one of the best running backs in football and Wade on the roster, twice making the playoffs. In his four seasons, the Dolphins allowed an average of 28 sacks per season and on three occasions boasted a 1,000 yard rusher.

Houston Texans Wade signed as a free agent with the Houston Texans prior to the 2004 season and he started thirteen games missing three due to a high ankle sprain he suffered against Minnesota. He started in nine games in the 2005 season but then suffered a torn knee ligament in Week 11 and was placed on injured reserve.

Political career

State Senate Campaign In 2011, Wade ran for Mississippi State Senate as the Republican nominee for MS-9. However, due to a residency requirement, Wade was removed from the ballot. In a Mississippi election, a candidate is required to have been registered to vote in the state for four years in order to hold public office. However, the Lafayette County voter rolls indicated that Wade was not registered in the state of Mississippi until September 2010. Wade moved to Mississippi one year earlier after a nine-year NFL career.

Mayoral Campaign Wade ran for Mayor of the college town of Oxford, Mississippi as an Independent. Wade lost the Mayoral Election to incumbent George "Pat" Patterson 2,122 votes to 1,220 votes.