Chris Akins

Christopher Drew Akins (born November 29, 1976) is a former American football safety and special teams player. He played in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins. He played college football at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Early years

Akins attended Hall High School in Little Rock, where he was a letterman in football and track. As a senior he received Arkansas player of the year, All-Conference, All-State, and All-American honors, after recording 117 total tackles (85 solo), 17 passes defensed and 4 interceptions. In track, he was a two-time All-State selection and set school records on the 100 meter dash (10.33 seconds) and the 200 meter dash.

He initially accepted a scholarship to play for the University of Arkansas, but decided to transfer after two years to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Because of the one-time transfer rule, he was allowed to play immediately at free safety. As a senior he received All-Southwestern Athletic Conference, second-team Division I-AA All-America and Black College All-America honors.

He finished his college career with 156 tackles (83 solo), 25 passed defensed, 12 interceptions and 6 fumble recoveries. In his two years at Arkansas-Pine-Bluff, he tallied 118 tackles, 23 passes defensed, 11 interceptions, 5 fumble recoveries and 9 tackles for loss.

Professional career

Green Bay Packers

Akins was selected in the seventh round (212th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. He was cut at the end of training camp and signed to the team's practice squad on September 14.

Dallas Cowboys

On October 27, 1999, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys from the Green Bay Packers practice squad. Although he only played in nine games, he finished with 15 special teams tackles (second on the team).

The next year he was allocated to the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe, where he helped his team win World Bowl VIII, while registering 47 tackles (fifth on the team), 7 special teams tackles (second on the team) and a blocked field goal.

He made the Cowboys regular season roster but was released on October 31, 2000.

Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers claimed him off waivers on November 1, 2000.^[1] During the 2001 season, Akins angered head coach Mike Sherman with mental lapses on the field and his attitude off of it.^[2] He was cut on December 6, at the time was tied for third on the team in special teams tackles (7).^[3]

Cleveland Browns

On October 12, 2001, he was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns.^[4] The next year he ranked second on the team with 25 special teams tackles while playing in 15 games.

New England Patriots

He signed with the New England Patriots as a free agent on March 12, 2003.^[5] While with the Patriots, he continued his career as a special teams player, contributing to the team's win in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

Miami Dolphins

Akins signed with the Miami Dolphins as an unrestricted free agent on March 5, 2004. He spent the season on the team's injured reserve after tearing the medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee, during a workout against the Houston Texans.^[6] He was released on September 5, 2005.^[7] In his NFL career he played in 61 games, while recording 24 tackles and 9 assists.

Personal life

In March 2015, Atkins signed a contract with NXT, the developmental league of the WWE. His second cousin is former NFL tight end Jackie Harris.

References

External links

• New England Patriots bio