Dobbs at the 2009 Texas Bowl |
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| Navy Midshipmen — No. 4 | |
| Quarterback | Class of 2011 |
| Major: General Science | |
| Date of birth: January 31, 1988 | |
| Place of birth: Atlanta, Georgia | |
| Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Weight: 198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb) |
| Career history | |
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| High school: Douglas County High School, Douglasville, Georgia |
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College(s):
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| Bowl games | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Ricky Dobbs (born January 31, 1988) is a United States Navy officer and former college football quarterback for the United States Naval Academy. During the 2009 season he broke the single season college football record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback with 27.
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Dobbs was known as "the Mayor" by his teachers at Douglas County High School in Douglasville, Georgia. He was the recipient of the Faculty Cup at his commencement ceremony in 2006. Dobbs was also voted Homecoming King & Mr.DCHS by his peers.[1]
As a Douglas County Tiger, he played with San Diego Chargers fullback Mike Tolbert. Dobbs was a multi-sport athlete having been on the track and basketball teams. In his senior year the Tigers were State Runner-Ups in basketball.
He had an offer to play wide receiver for Georgia Tech, but chose Navy in part because of medical benefits for himself and family as well as opportunities beyond football and service to his country.[2]
Dobbs ran the triple option offense for the Navy Midshipmen.[1][3]
Dobbs rushed for 498 yards and eight touchdowns.[1][4] Navy was honored at the White House in April 2009 for winning a sixth straight Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, and Dobbs said he autographed a helmet presented to President Barack Obama five times "so Obama would remember him".[1]
During his first full year as a starter Dobbs rushed for more than 1,000 yards and had 901 passing yards and five passing touchdowns. The team had the second best rushing offense in terms of yards.[1][4] All of this was accomplished in spite of little to no play after an injury. Doctors found a crack in his patella and surgery was scheduled for the off season.
Dobbs missed one game and most of another with a broken bone in his knee.[5] Navy beat Notre Dame, but lost to Hawaii. and Dobbs tied Tim Tebow's record 23 rushing touchdowns for a quarterback on November 27, one more than former Air Force standout Chance Harridge.[6][7] On December 12 against arch rival Army, Dobbs ran for his 24th rushing touchdown on the season, making him the record holder for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a single season.
Navy played in the Texas Bowl on December 31 against Missouri, their seventh straight bowl game. Dobbs ran for 166 yards and three touchdowns in the game and completed 9 of 14 passes for 130 yards and a fourth touchdown in a 35-13 victory. Dobbs finished with the NCAA record of 27 single-season rushing touchdowns and was named the game's MVP.[8][9]
Dobbs was born in Atlanta, Georgia and is the son of an electrician and a beautician.[1] He has said that he wants to be the second African-American quarterback to win a Super Bowl, and his birthday, January 31, 1988, coincidentally is the same day that Doug Williams of the Washington Redskins achieved this feat in Super Bowl XXII.[10] He is friends with Williams and NFL quarterback Shaun King.[10]
One of Dobbs' idols is President Barack Obama. He is currently vice president of USNA class of 2011. He said that he wanted to become the first black president, but after Obama was elected,[2] has stated "I guess I'll be the second now."[1] He has a five-year military commitment after graduation.[1]
On June 13, 2010, Dobbs was awarded a key to his hometown of Douglasville, Georgia by mayor Mickey Thompson. The day was also declared "Ricky Dobbs Day" in the city.[11]
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