Chris Perry (football player)

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Chris Perry
Date of birth	December 27, 1981
Place of birth	Advance, North Carolina
Position(s)	Running Back
College	Michigan
NFL Draft	2004 / Round 1 / Pick 26
Stats
Statistics	Pro Football Reference NFL.com DatabaseFootball ESPN
Team(s)
2004-Present	Cincinnati Bengals

Raymond Christopher Perry (born December 27, 1981 in Advance, North Carolina) is an NFL running back. The Cincinnati Bengals selected Perry with the 26th pick in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Perry attended Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia, where he helped his team win multiple VISFA State Championships.

[edit] College career

Perry played college football at the University of Michigan. In 2003, his senior season, he rushed for 1,674 yards and 18 touchdowns and finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting and fourth in Michigan annals for rushing yards in a season. That year Perry also received the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation's top running back, and was named the Big Ten Conference MVP.

Perry set a Michigan game record with 51 carries in a 27-20 win over Michigan State on November 1, 2003. He finished his career at Michigan fifth on the school's career rushing list with 3,696 yards and third in rushing touchdowns with 39.

[edit] NFL career

Perry played only two games in his rookie season with the Bengals due to injuries, but became a significant contributor in the 2005 season. His speed and skill as a receiver out of the backfield proved to be a superb complement to pro bowl running back Rudi Johnson, who is more of a "power" rusher and is used infrequently as a receiver. Perry finished the 2005 season with 279 rushing yards along with 51 receptions for 328 yards and 2 touchdowns. His 51 receptions were the most by a Bengals running back in one season since James Brooks caught 54 passes in 1986. Perry fractured his leg in the 11th game of the 2006 season, ending his season.