Anthony Carter
A former Pro Bowl wide receiver who finished his career with the Detroit Lions.
Anthony Carter is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver. He played his final two professional seasons with the Detroit Lions, after spending 11 years in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings. Carter played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, where he was a three-time All-American. He is currently third all-time in receiving yards, and second all-time in receiving touchdowns for the University of Michigan.
- Role
- Wide Receiver
- Team
- Detroit Lions
- Status
- Retired Legend
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The final two years of Anthony Carter's professional career were spent in the same state where it began, this time with the Detroit Lions. Most of his time with the Lions was spent attempting to come back from injury. He played in only four games in 1994, and failed to catch a pass in 1995. Before his time with the Lions, Carter had a standout NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings, where he made three-consecutive Pro Bowls and was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Vikings of all time. He also began his pro career in the USFL, winning a championship with the Michigan Panthers in 1983.
In Their Own Story
Anthony Carter's time with the Detroit Lions was brief and marked by injury. After 11 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, where he set an NFL playoff record with 143 punt return yards in a 1987 wildcard win and caught ten receptions for a then NFL playoff record 227 yards in a divisional playoff upset, Carter joined the Lions. He played in only four games in 1994, and failed to catch a pass in 1995. His professional career, which began with the Michigan Panthers winning the first USFL championship, ended quietly in Detroit.
Reader's Guide
Anthony Carter played for the Detroit Lions in 1994 and 1995. He played in only four games in 1994, and failed to catch a pass in 1995. His NFL career totals, accumulated mostly with the Minnesota Vikings, include 486 receptions for 7,733 yards and 55 touchdowns. He also rushed for 289 yards and 2 touchdowns. Carter was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1987, 1988, and 1989 with the Vikings. He holds the record for most all-purpose yards in a single postseason (642 in 1987) and most punt return yards in a single postseason (221 in 1987).
Did You Know?
- Anthony Carter played his final two professional seasons with the Detroit Lions, after 11 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
- He played in only four games for the Lions in 1994, and failed to catch a pass in 1995.
- Carter holds the NFL record for most all-purpose yards in a single postseason: 642 in 1987.
- He was a three-time All-American and two-time unanimous All-American at the University of Michigan.
- Carter was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001.