Troy Bergeron

Troy Joseph Bergeron (born December 3, 1983 in New Orleans, Louisiana) is a former American football wide receiver. He was signed by the Columbus Wardogs as a street free agent in 2004. He redshirted during his first year of college football at Middle Tennessee State, but never played for the Blue Raiders.

Bergeron has also been a member of the Georgia Force, Buffalo Bills, Columbus Lions, Atlanta Falcons, and Dallas Cowboys.

Early years

Bergeron was a three-year starter at Shaw High School and helped them win the state championship in 2000. He was named the 2000 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer's Offensive Player of the Year. He played wide receiver and had 25 receptions for 444 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior. He also had one interception in limited duty at cornerback. He missed three games his senior year following surgery to correct compartmental syndrome in his leg.

College career

After graduating from high school, he committed to Auburn, but transferred to Middle Tennessee State University where he red-shirted his only season. He left Middle Tennessee State after one season and signed with the af2’s Columbus Wardogs.

Professional career

Columbus Wardogs

In 2004, Bergeron played in the af2 for the Columbus Wardogs and recorded 77 receptions for 1,220 yards and 26 touchdowns despite missing the team’s first four games. He was only the third Wardog player to reach 1,000 yards receiving. He set a franchise single-game record with 212 receiving yards against Macon. Three weeks later, he had another record-breaking performance and set three single-game team records with 14 receptions for 216 yards and six touchdowns against Louisville. He was twice named the af2’s Offensive Player of the Week.

First stint with Force

In 2005, Bergeron signed with the Georgia Force. As a rookie, he played in all 16 games and recorded 105 receptions for 1,372 yards and 31 touchdowns on offense. He also recorded 57 kickoff returnds for 1,058 yards. He was named the 2005 AFL Rookie of the Year and was selected to the 2005 AFL All-Rookie Team. Along with rookie teammate Derek Lee, the duo ended the season as the top receiving touchdown tandem in the AFL with 64 combined touchdowns (Bergeron 31 and Lee 33).

In his AFL debut against the New Orleans VooDoo, he finished with a team-high six receptions for 116 yards and a game-high three receiving touchdowns after stepping in at the offensive specialist position for injured starter Scottie Montgomery in the second quarter. Was named Offensive Player of the Game for his first AFL game. He also totaled 74 yards on three kickoff returns. He recorded a career-long 51-yard kickoff return and a career-long 37-yard missed field goal return against the Grand Rapids Rampage.

First stint with Falcons

Bergeron spent the 2006 AFL season preparing for the National Football League and was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted rookie free agent. He attended training camp and was released following the final pre-season game.

Buffalo Bills

He was signed to the Buffalo Bills practice squad in Week 13 of the regular season.

Second stint with Force

In 2007, Bergeron re-joined the Georgia Force.^[1] For the season he played in all 16 games and recorded a career highs in receptions (132), receiving yards (1,736), touchdowns (41), rushing attempts (10) and rushing yards (81), while earning Second team All-Arena honors. He and teammate Wide receiver Chris Jackson became the first receiving tandem in AFL history to record at least 130 catches, 1,700 receiving yards and 40 touchdowns each.

He led the team in receptions (13) and receiving yards (194), he also recorded four touchdowns on the road against the Austin Wranglers. He also had six kickoff returnds for 103 yards and one rush for 10 yards. His 194 receiving yards and 307 total yards set new single-game franchise-highs. He also added two tackles and one fumble recovery on special teams.

In 2008, Bergeron recorded 91 receptions for 1,247 yards and 24 touchdowns, he also rushed the ball seven times for 62 yards. He also recorded seven tackles on the season. He also added five kick returns for 71 yards.

Columbus Lions

In 2009, Bergeron signed with the Columbus Lions of the American Indoor Football Association.

Second stint with Falcons

Bergeron was re-signed by the Atlanta Falcons on April 28, 2009 only to be released on April 29 after failing his physical. He was re-signed by the team on May 10.

Bergeron was waived during final cuts on September 5, 2009 and immediately re-signed to the practice squad. He was then promoted to the active roster on November 14. Bergeron was released November 16 and re-signed to the practice squad on November 18. Ten days later, he was promoted to the 53-man roster again. On December 2, he returned to the practice squad. Due to the release of running back Verron Haynes, Bergeron was promoted to the active roster on December 5. Bergeron was waived again by the Falcons on December 7 and added to back to the practice squad on December 9. The Falcons promoted Bergeron to the active roster again on December 15 when wide receiver Brian Finneran was placed on injured reserve.

Dallas Cowboys

Bergeron signed to the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad on December 15, 2010. He was released on July 28, 2011.^[2]

Cleveland Gladiators

In response to the NFL lockout, Bergeron signed with the Cleveland Gladiators. The Cowboys retain his rights, but since there is no collective bargaining agreement, he cannot be stopped from playing in the Arena Football League.

References

External links

• Arena Football bio
• Atlanta Falcons bio
• Dallas Cowboys bio