Willie Culpepper

Willie James Culpepper (born March 27, 1967) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for one season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Southwestern Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns, setting school records in career receiving yards and single-game receiving yards. After two seasons away from football, he signed with the New Orleans Night of the Arena Football League (AFL) in 1991 after an open tryout. After finishing second in the AFL in receptions, Culpepper signed with the Buccaneers. He played in three games for Tampa Bay as a reserve receiver but did not catch a pass. He later played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) and for several other AFL teams. Culpepper was noted for his skinny frame at 155 pounds (70 kg) and for his speed.

Early life and college Willie James Culpepper was born on March 27, 1967, in Jacksonville, Florida. He also had a school record 220 receiving yards in a game in 1986. He was a wide receiver/defensive back during his time in the AFL as the league played under ironman rules. His 60 catches were the second best in the league that year. Culpepper caught a touchdown during the preseason. On October 21 against the Chicago Bears, Culpepper ran a poor route that caused Vinny Testaverde to throw an interception. While with the Buccaneers, Culpepper was noted for his skinny frame at 155 pounds (70 kg).

On March 16, 1993, Culpepper's AFL rights were acquired by the Cleveland Thunderbolts in an allocation draft due to the Night having folded. He played in the 1993 season opener for the Thunderbolts, catching a team-leading four passes for 43 yards and one touchdown while also posting one solo tackle. His main attribute as a player was his speed. He was promoted to the active roster in August as a replacement for Byron Williams. Culpepper was released by Saskatchewan on October 19, 1993. Culpepper appeared in nine games for Albany in 1996, accumulating 20 receptions for 419 yards and nine touchdowns, six solo tackles, five assisted tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble.

Culpepper was then claimed off waivers by the Connecticut Coyotes, who needed a receiver after Larry Ray Willis suffered an injury and Wayne Morris received a tryout with the NFL's New York Jets.

In November 1996, Culpepper was selected by the AFL's New York CityHawks in a dispersal draft. On April 8, 1997, he was traded to the San Jose SaberCats for Kip Texada. Culpepper played in 11 games for the SaberCats in 1997, recording 48 receptions for 732 yards and 11 touchdowns, 12 solo tackles, seven assisted tackles, one interception for 47 yards, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery. In April 1998, it was reported that Culpepper had failed to report to the team. He was officially waived by the SaberCats the next year on April 6, 1999.

Culpepper returned to the AFL in 2000, signing with the Buffalo Destroyers on March 22, 2000. He was placed on injured reserve on April 11, activated on April 26, and placed on injured reserve again on May 31, 2000. Overall, he played in two games during the 2000 season, catching six passes for 99 yards while also posting seven solo tackles, one assisted tackle, and two pass breakups.