Fitzgerald Toussaint

Fitzgerald Toussaint
refer to caption
Toussaint with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016
No. 33, 43
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1990-05-04) May 4, 1990 (age 34)
East Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:204 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school:Liberty (Youngstown, Ohio)
College:Michigan
Undrafted:2014
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:137
Rushing average:3.1
Receptions:8
Receiving yards:69
Stats at Pro Football Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Fitzgerald D'Andre Toussaint (born May 4, 1990) is a former American football running back. He played college football at Michigan and signed with the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers for three seasons.

Early years

Toussaint grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, to a Haitian father and to an African American mother.[1] He graduated from Liberty High School, where as a senior in 2009, he rushed for 2,229 yards (10.4 per carry) and 28 touchdowns and was named Ohio's co-offensive player of the year in Division III.[2] Toussaint committed to the University of Michigan after his senior year.[3] After committing to Michigan, Toussaint donned the scarlet uniform of the Ohio high school all-star team for the annual Big 33 Football Classic against the Pennsylvania high school all-star team.[4]

Toussaint was also on the school's track & field team, where he competed as a sprinter. At the 2007 OHSAA Regional Track and Field Championships, he won the 100 meters by running a personal-best time of 10.74 seconds.[5] He also won the 60 meters at the 2009 Kent State HS Open, recording a career-best time of 6.89 seconds.[6]

On September 23, 2022, Toussaint was inducted into the Liberty High School Hall of Fame.[7]

College career

Toussaint enrolled at the University of Michigan on a football scholarship in 2009. He was redshirted during the 2009 season.[8] Toussaint missed the first three games of the 2010 season with a knee injury. In his first appearance for the Wolverines, Toussaint rushed for 129 yards on six carries, including a 61-yard gain in the fourth quarter, against Bowling Green.[9][10] He suffered a shoulder injury in October 2010.[11]

2011 season

After spending the 2010 season as a back-up to Michael Shaw, Toussaint challenged Shaw for the starting running back position during 2011 summer practice.[12][13] In the end, head coach Brady Hoke named Toussaint as the Wolverines' No. 1 running back at the start of the 2011 season.[14][15][16] After gaining 80 yards on 11 carries (7.3 yards per carry) and scoring two touchdowns in Michigan's 2011 season opener against Western Michigan,[17] Hoke confirmed that Toussaint remained the team's No. 1 running back.[18][19]

After suffering a shoulder injury, he did not play against Notre Dame in the second week of the season. He returned to the lineup the following week and went on to record his second 100-yard rushing game in the Battle for the Little Brown Jug against Minnesota in the fifth game of the season, totaling 108 yards on 11 carries for an average of 9.8 yards per carry.[20][21]

Toussaint at Michigan Stadium in September 2012

On October 29, Toussaint ran for 170 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries in a 36–14 victory over Purdue. He had career highs in both yards gained and carries.[22][23] On November 12, Toussaint set new career highs with 27 carries, a 65-yard run, and 192 rushing yards against Illinois.[24][25] In the subsequent two weeks, he followed up with 138 rushing yards against Nebraska on November 19, 2011, and 120 yards rushing against Ohio State on November 26, in "The Game".[26][27]

Toussaint rushed for 1,041 yards in the 2011 season.[28] With quarterback Denard Robinson also rushing for over 1,000 yards, the Wolverines had a tandem of 1,000-yard rushers for the first time since 1975.[29][30][31] Toussaint averaged 5.6 yards per carry during the season.[32] He ranked second in the Big Ten Conference in yards per carry behind Wisconsin running back Montee Ball.[33] He earned All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention recognition from both the coaches and the media.[34][35] At the end of the regular season, Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges praised Toussaint's late season performance (100-plus rushing yards in four of the last five games) and compared him to USC Heisman Trophy winner Charles White: "You put the (USC) jersey on him, you would hardly be able to tell the difference. That's who he reminds me of."[36]

Troussaint in 2013

2012 season

At the time of Michigan's spring practice in April 2012, Borges said there was no running back controversy for the 2012 team: "Fitz is our tailback. If he isn't, I'm not very smart."[37][38][39][40]

On July 21, 2012, Toussaint was arrested in Ann Arbor after running a red light and charged with driving under the influence. On July 23, he was suspended from the team.[41] In late August, Toussaint pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle while visibly impaired, after telling the court that he had been drinking brandy before driving.[42] On October 23, he was sentenced to 10 months probation and ordered by the Court to attend 10 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, pay $1,500 in fees and fines, and undergo random drug and alcohol tests.[43]

Toussaint remained suspended from the team for the opening game of the 2012 season, but returned to the lineup as Michigan's lead running back in the second week of the season against Air Force.[44] Through the tenth game of the 2012 season, Toussaint had gained 483 yards and scored five touchdown on 127 carries, an average of 3.8 yards per carry.[45]

On November 17, 2012, during a first quarter run in the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes, Toussaint sustained a broken leg, ending his season.[46]

2013 season

After successful rehabilitation on his leg injury, Toussaint returned as the starting running back for the 2013 Michigan Wolverines football team. Through the first two games of the season, he had 128 rushing yards on 36 carries, including 71 rushing yards on 22 carries in Michigan's 41–30 victory over Notre Dame on September 7, 2013.[47] On October 19, against Indiana, he had 32 carries for 151 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.[48] He finished his final season with the Wolverines with 185 carries for 648 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns.[49]

Professional career

Pre-draft

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 8+7⁄8 in
(1.75 m) 		204 lb
(93 kg) 		30+7⁄8 in
(0.78 m) 		9+5⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		 4.53 s 1.59 s 2.56 s 4.10 s 6.59 s 35+1⁄2 in
(0.90 m)		 10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)		 24 reps
All values from Michigan's Pro Day[50][51]

Baltimore Ravens

2014

On May 29, 2014, Toussaint was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League.[52] Toussaint rushed for 20 yards on four attempts during the Ravens' first preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers.[53] He did not play again until the fourth preseason game against the New Orleans Saints, where he rushed for a game-high 103 yards on 17 carries and caught his only targeted pass for another nine yards.[54] Despite his successful play in the final game of the preseason, Toussaint was released by the Ravens on August 30, 2014, in the final round of cuts before the regular season.[55] Toussaint was re-signed to the Ravens practice squad on August 31, 2014.[56] Toussaint was promoted to the Ravens roster on September 6, 2014, after fellow running back Lorenzo Taliaferro was placed on injured reserve.[57]

On September 21, 2014, he made his professional regular season debut during the Ravens' 23–21 victory over the Cleveland Browns.[58] On December 21, 2014, Toussiant had his first career carry for a two-yard gain and had his first career reception on a five-yard pass from Joe Flacco. He finished the 25–13 loss to the Houston Texans with a total of four carries for 11-yards and two receptions for 20-yards.[59] He finished his rookie season with six carries for 12 rushing yards and three receptions for 27 receiving yards in four games.[60] Throughout his rookie campaign, Toussaint was the Baltimore Ravens' fourth-string running back, behind Justin Forsett, Lorenzo Taliaferro, and Bernard Pierce.[61]

On January 3, 2015, Toussaint appeared in his first career postseason game after the Baltimore Ravens finished the 2014 season with a 10–6 record.[62] Although he appeared exclusively on special teams, the Ravens defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 30–17 in the AFC Wild Card Round.[63] The following game, he had two carries for five rushing yards and one reception or −7 receiving yards as the Ravens lost to the New England Patriots 31–35 in the Divisional Round.[64][65]

2015

He entered training camp competing with Javorius Allen and Terrence Magee to be the Ravens' third running back.[66]

On September 5, 2015, he was released by the Ravens after losing the third string running back position to Javorius Allen.[67]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On September 7, 2015, Toussaint was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad.[68] On November 27, 2015, Toussaint was promoted to the active roster.[69]

He earned the Steelers' second-string running back position from Jordan Todman as the regular season came to a close. Toussaint caught the Steelers' eighth two-point conversion of the season against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17, setting the NFL record for most successful two-point conversion attempts by a team in a season.[70]

On January 8, 2016, Toussaint was announced as the starter for Steelers' Wild Card Round playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals due to an injury to DeAngelo Williams. Toussaint and Todman combined for 123 rushing yards, and Toussaint added four receptions for 60 yards.[71] In the second round of the playoffs, on January 17, Toussaint scored his first touchdown as a professional but also had a fumble late in the 4th quarter which eventually resulted in the Denver Broncos' game-winning drive.[72][73]

2016

Toussaint competed with Brandon Brown-Dukes, Daryl Richardson, Cameron Stingily, and Brandon Johnson for the third string backup running back position. He was named the Pittsburgh Steelers third running back on their depth chart to begin the regular season.[citation needed]

He finished the season with 14 carries for 58 rushing yards and three receptions for 33 receiving yards while appearing in all 16 regular season games.[74]

2017

Toussaint signed a one-year deal to remain with the Steelers on January 31, 2017.[75] Toussaint competed with Terrell Watson, Knile Davis, Brandon Brown-Dukes, and Trey Williams to be the third running back on the depth chart.[76]

On September 2, 2017, Toussaint was waived by the Steelers, and was then signed to the practice squad the next day.[77][78] He was promoted to the active roster on November 25, 2017.[79] In the 2017 season, he had six carries for 25 rushing yards in six games.[80]

2018

On September 1, 2018, Toussaint was released by the Steelers.[81]

References

  1. ^ Rothstein, Michael (October 31, 2011). "Toussaint to stick as starting RB for Wolverines". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  2. ^ "Liberty's Toussaint named player of the year". Youngstown Vindicator. November 24, 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  3. ^ Heuser, John (February 4, 2009). "Michigan's 2009 recruiting class". mlive.com. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  4. ^ Warber, Kyle (June 22, 2009). "Michigan's Fitzgerald Toussaint a Buckeye for a day". MLive.com. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  5. ^ "OHSAA Regional Track and Field Championships – Ravenna 2007 – Boys and Girls Results (Raw)". Ohio MileSplit. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  6. ^ "Kent State HS Open #3 – Boys Only 2009 – Complete Results (Raw)". Ohio MileSplit. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  7. ^ Gostlin, Desirae (September 24, 2022). "Famous Liberty alumni inducted into Hall of Fame". WKBN.com. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  8. ^ "Fitzgerald Toussaint College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  9. ^ Rohan, Tim (September 26, 2010). "Lines lead the way as Michigan excels in red zone in 2010". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  10. ^ "Bowling Green State at Michigan Box Score, September 25, 2010". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  11. ^ Autullo, Ryan (October 11, 2010). "Injuries plague Michigan players". Toledo Blade. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  12. ^ Angelique S. Chengelis (August 31, 2011). "Shaw, Toussaint, Hopkins enjoy competition for No. 1". The Detroit News.
  13. ^ Angelique S. Chengelis (August 29, 2011). "U-M's Hoke: Toussaint could win start over Shaw". The Detroit News.
  14. ^ Brian Bennett (September 2, 2011). "Fitz Toussaint named Michigan starting RB". ESPN.com.
  15. ^ Nick Baumgardner (September 3, 2011). "Toussaint makes most of opportunity as Michigan's No. 1 running back". AnnArbor.com.
  16. ^ Mark Snyder (September 3, 2011). "Patience pays off for Michigan RB Fitz Toussaint". Detroit Free Press.
  17. ^ "Herron, Toussaint Strike Twice, Michigan Whips WMU in Shortened Opener". University of Michigan Athletics. September 3, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  18. ^ Kyle Meinke (September 5, 2011). "Fitz Toussaint will retain starting tailback role against Notre Dame and more Michigan football notes". AnnArbor.com.
  19. ^ Tim Rohan (September 4, 2011). "Toussaint emerges as Hoke's lead back, replaces Robinson as workhorse". The Michigan Daily.
  20. ^ "Minnesota 0 (1–4, 0–1 Big Ten); (19) Michigan 58 (5–0, 1–0 Big Ten)". ESPN.com. October 1, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  21. ^ Joe Scalzo (October 6, 2011). "Toussaint excels for Michigan as touches increase". Youngstown Vindicator.
  22. ^ "Fitzgerald Toussaint runs for 170 yards and 2 TDs to help No. 17 Michigan beat Purdue 36–14". The Washington Post (AP article). October 29, 2011. Archived from the original on November 13, 2018.
  23. ^ "Purdue 14 (4–4, 2–2 Big Ten); (18) Michigan 36 (7–1, 3–1 Big Ten)". ESPN.com. October 29, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  24. ^ "Toussaint helps No. 22 Michigan beat Illini, 31–14". Associated Press. November 12, 2011.[dead link]
  25. ^ "(24) Michigan 31 (8–2, 4–2 Big Ten); Illinois 14 (6–4, 2–4 Big Ten)". ESPN.com. November 12, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  26. ^ "(16) Nebraska 17 (8–3, 4–3 Big Ten); (18) Michigan 45 (9–2, 5–2 Big Ten)". ESPN.com. November 19, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  27. ^ "Ohio St 34 (6–6, 3–5 Big Ten); (15) Michigan 40 (10–2, 6–2 Big Ten)". ESPN.com. November 26, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  28. ^ "Fitzgerald Toussaint 2011 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  29. ^ "Michigan edges Ohio St. to end seven-game hex". ESPN. November 26, 2011. Archived from the original on November 28, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  30. ^ "Robinson's Five TDs Spark U-M to Victory over Ohio State, 10 Wins". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. November 26, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  31. ^ Trey Iles (December 30, 2011). "Sugar Bowl 2012: Michigan's Fitz Toussaint emerges, improves offense". The Time-Picayune.
  32. ^ "Michigan Football Statistics (13-game Totals)". University of Michigan. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
  33. ^ "NCAA Division I-A Player Rushing Statistics – 2011 (Yards Per Rush Attempt Leaders – Qualified)". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  34. ^ "Molk Named Top Offensive Lineman to Headline Big Ten Awards". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. November 28, 2011. Archived from the original on December 1, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  35. ^ "Big Ten Announces 2011 All-Big Ten Teams and Select Individual Award Winners". BigTen.org. CBS Interactive. November 28, 2011. Archived from the original on November 29, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  36. ^ Michael Florek (December 20, 2011). "Borges compares Toussaint to former Heisman winner". The Michigan Daily.
  37. ^ Rothstein, Michael (April 10, 2012). "Toussaint working on finer points: Now entrenched as top RB, junior works on pass blocking, receiving". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  38. ^ Nesbitt, Stephen (March 20, 2010). "Fitzgerald Toussaint: The Frontrunning Tailback". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  39. ^ "Toussaint tabbed as Michigan's starting RB". FOX Sports. April 6, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  40. ^ Lenzi, Rachel (April 5, 2012). "Toussaint gets nod as UM tailback". The Blade. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  41. ^ Jennings, Chantel (July 23, 2012). "Fitzgerald Toussaint suspended". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
  42. ^ Rothstein, Michael (August 28, 2012). "UM's Toussaint pleads guilty to reduced charge". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  43. ^ Rothstein, Michael (October 24, 2012). "Fitzgerald Toussaint gets probation". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  44. ^ "Air Force at Michigan Box Score, September 8, 2012". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  45. ^ "2012 Michigan Wolverines Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. November 10, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  46. ^ Rothstein, Michael (March 28, 2013). "Michigan's Toussaint: Leg 85–90 percent better". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  47. ^ "Host Michigan bests Notre Dame before record crowd of 115,109". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 7, 2013. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  48. ^ "Indiana at Michigan Box Score, October 19, 2013". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  49. ^ "Fitzgerald Toussaint 2013 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  50. ^ "Fitzgerald Toussaint". Nfldraftscout.com. Archived from the original on December 2, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  51. ^ "Fitzgerald Toussaint RAS". ras.football. December 31, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  52. ^ "Ravens Sign Undrafted RB Fitzgerald Toussaint". BaltimoreRavens.com. May 29, 2014. Archived from the original on October 11, 2017.
  53. ^ "Watch San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens [08/07/2014] - NFL.com". www.nfl.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  54. ^ "Ravens vs. Saints – Box Score – August 28, 2014 – ESPN".
  55. ^ Baltimore Sun (August 30, 2014). "Source: Ravens cut running back Fitzgerald Toussaint". baltimoresun.com.
  56. ^ Baltimore Sun (August 31, 2014). "Ravens sign rookie QB Keith Wenning, eight other players to practice squad". baltimoresun.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  57. ^ "Baltimore Ravens promote Fitzgerald Toussaint to 53-man roster – Baltimore Ravens Blog – ESPN". ESPN. September 6, 2014.
  58. ^ "Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns – September 21st, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  59. ^ "Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans - December 21st, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  60. ^ "Fitzgerald Toussaint 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  61. ^ "2014 Baltimore Ravens Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  62. ^ "2014 Baltimore Ravens Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  63. ^ "Wild Card – Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers – January 3rd, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  64. ^ "Ourlads.com: Baltimore Ravens depth chart: 12/01/2014". ourlads.com. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  65. ^ "Divisional Round – Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots – January 10th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  66. ^ "Ourlads.com: Baltimore Ravens depth chart: 08/01/2015". ourlads.com. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  67. ^ Downing, Garrett (September 5, 2015). "Ravens Trim 2015 Roster To 53 Players". BaltimoreRavens.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  68. ^ Sager, Daniel (September 7, 2015). "Steelers roster tracker: Five added to practice squad". SteelersWire.USAToday.com. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  69. ^ "RB Toussaint added to roster; Pead cut". Steelers.com. November 27, 2015. Archived from the original on September 3, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  70. ^ "Team Two Point Conversion Statistics: 2015 NFL Season". SportingCharts.com.
  71. ^ "Wild Card – Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals – January 9th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  72. ^ "Peyton Manning engineers late TD drive to lift Broncos into AFC finale". ESPN. Associated Press. January 17, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  73. ^ "Divisional Round – Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos – January 17th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  74. ^ "Fitzgerald Toussaint 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  75. ^ Chester, Simon A. (January 31, 2017). "Steelers re-sign exclusive rights free agent Fitzgerald Toussaint". Steelers Wire. USA Today. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  76. ^ "Ourlads.com: Pittsburgh Steelers depth chart: 08/01/2017". ourlads.com. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  77. ^ "Steelers trim roster to 53". Steelers.com. September 2, 2017. Archived from the original on January 17, 2018.
  78. ^ Varley, Teresa (September 3, 2017). "Steelers announce practice squad". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on November 23, 2017.
  79. ^ Varley, Teresa (November 25, 2017). "Steelers activate Toussaint". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018.
  80. ^ "Fitzgerald Toussaint 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  81. ^ Varley, Teresa (September 1, 2018). "Steelers reduce roster to 53". Steelers.com. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fitzgerald Toussaint.