Michael Barber (wide receiver)
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| Position: | Wide receiver | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Date of birth: | June 19, 1967 | ||||||
| Place of birth: | Winfield, West Virginia | ||||||
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 172 lb (78 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| College: | Marshall | ||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1989 / Round: 4 / Pick: 112 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Michael Dale Barber, Jr. (born June 19, 1967) is a former American football wide receiver who played college football at Marshall University. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005. He played four seasons in the NFL.
High school
A multi-sport athlete at Winfield High School in West Virginia playing football, basketball, track, and baseball. Excelled in football playing quarterback, free safety, kicker, punter, and kick returner. He played for long-time coach Leon McCoy earning All-State honors as a defensive back in both his junior and senior seasons. He accepted a scholarship to play football at Marshall University as a wide receiver.
College
- 1985 – Freshman: played as a kickoff returner.
- 1986 - Sophomore: Recorded 64 receptions for 1,180 yards, 7 TDs, earned First Team All-Southern Conference
- 1987 - Junior: Led the NCAA in receptions with 106 for 1,757 yards, 11 TDs. Consensus I-AA 1st Team All-American. The team played in the I-AA National Championship game in Pocatello, Idaho, losing 43-42 to Northeast Louisiana.
- 1988: Named I-AA National Player of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association. Caught 79 passes for 1,325 yards and 8 TDs, Consensus I-AA 1st Team All-American.
Named Marshall's Athlete of the Decade (1980s) by the Herald Dispatch. At one time, held virtually every Marshall receiving record. Caught at least 3 passes in 39 consecutive games. Inducted into Marshall's Hall of Fame in 1993. Averaged 17.1 yards per catch throughout his career.
Pro
1989 – Drafted by the Super Bowl Champion San Francisco 49ers in the 4th round. One of 5 rookies to make the roster. Backed up Jerry Rice. Opted for Plan B free agency and signed with Cincinnati in the off season.
1990–1991 - Emerged as the Cincinnati Bengals' third receiver often working out of the slot position. Started two games as wide receiver, backup punt returner, & special teams.
1992 – Began the season on injured reserve (shoulder separation.) Was waived mid season by the Bengals & signed two days later by former coach Sam Wyche with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Played in one game as Buc catching one pass for 37 yards and injuring his shoulder again. Retired from football in spring 1993.
Personal
Resides in Hurricane, West Virginia, with his wife Amy and their four children Brett, Abby, Chloe, and Audrey. Works as a Regional Manager for Brechbuhler Scales, Inc.