| Date of birth: | September 24, 1966 |
| Place of birth: | Lumberton, North Carolina |
| Career information | |
|---|---|
| Position(s): | Running Back |
| College: | Georgia |
| NFL Draft: | 1989 / Round: 1 / Pick 7 |
| Organizations | |
| As player: | |
| 1989-1993 1993-1994 |
Pittsburgh Steelers Chicago Bears |
| Playing stats at DatabaseFootball.com | |
Timothy Ashley Worley (born September 24, 1966) is a former American football running back who played for the Georgia Bulldogs in college, and the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL).
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Worley was born in Lumberton, North Carolina. He attended Lumberton High School, and was recognized as a Parade magazine high school football All-American.
Worley attended the University of Georgia in 1985. He was the team’s second leading rusher as a freshman with 627 yards[1] and led the team in touchdowns with 10.[2] That same year, he scored an 89-yard touchdown against No. 1 ranked Florida, finishing with 125 yards and leading Georgia to a 24-3 upset.
In 1988, Worley led Georgia in rushing with 1,216 yards, which ranks seventh among Georgia running backs for a single season.[3] He was named first-team All-American by Kodak, the Walter Camp Football Foundation, and the Football Writers Association of America. United Press International named him its SEC Offensive Player of the Year. He finished his career at Georgia with 2,038 yards, 27 touchdowns and 5.8 yards per carry (fifth all-time at Georgia).[4]
He earned All-America honors as a junior after leading the Southeastern Conference in rushing with 1,216 yards. He was selected in the first round (7th overall) of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Steelers. He was the highest draft pick in University of Georgia history until 1993 (Garrison Hearst). Today, Worley is the fourth highest draft pick in University of Georgia history (Matthew Stafford, Richard Seymour, Garrison Hearst), and his 1989 draft class is considered one of the best in NFL history.
Worley showed promise in his rookie season, amassing 770 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns on 195 carries. His production fell off his second season, however, as he earned only 418 yards and no touchdowns. He was injured for most of the 1991 NFL season, and was suspended the following year from the NFL due to missing two mandatory drug tests.[5] He also had a problem holding onto the ball; he had 16 fumbles during his three-plus years in Pittsburgh, leading Steeler fans to nickname him "Whoops Worley."
The Steelers traded Worley to the Bears in 1993 for a fifth-round draft pick. The trade, intended to enhance the Bears' rushing attack with Neal Anderson and to resurrect Worley's career, failed on both fronts. Failure to produce on the field, and a series of arrests off the field, plagued Worley.[6] After appearing in only five games during the 1994 NFL season, the Bears released him, and Worley chose to retire from the NFL.
On October 23, 2007, Worley was inducted into the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame, which recognizes the careers and outstanding performances that have occurred during the decades-long rivalry.[2]
Worley's troubles with the law resurfaced on April 13, 2008, as he was arrested for speeding and failure to maintain the lane in Smyrna, Georgia. It is commonly believed that Worley was arrested for driving under the influence, however he was never charged with that offense nor with a DUI. Officers used a Taser to subdue Worley after an altercation with the arresting officer. Police held Worley in custody on outstanding warrants from Arcade in Jackson County and Social Circle in Walton County.[7]
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