16 Facts About D'Wayne Bates

D'Wayne Lavoris Bates was born on December 4,1975 and is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League.

D'Wayne Bates is best known for his achievements as a collegiate player at Northwestern University where he played for Big Ten Championship teams in 1995 and 1996.

D'Wayne Bates was a two-time First-team All-Big Ten performer and still holds a majority of the NU season and career receiving records.

D'Wayne Bates was raised on a farm by a single mother in Jackson, South Carolina.

D'Wayne Bates attended Silver Bluff High School where he was a highly touted, two-sport athlete in high school, excelling in baseball and football.

However, as National Signing Day drew closer D'Wayne Bates reconsidered a scholarship offered by Northwestern coach Gary Barnett.

D'Wayne Bates continued to excel throughout his freshman campaign, helping lead Northwestern to the 1996 Rose Bowl, where he had seven receptions for 145 yards in a losing effort.

D'Wayne Bates finished 1995 with 49 catches and 889 receiving yards, both Northwestern and Big Ten Freshman Records.

D'Wayne Bates recorded 75 receptions, 1,196 receiving yards, and 12 receiving touchdowns, as Northwestern won their second consecutive Big Ten Championship.

However, D'Wayne Bates suffered a broken ankle and fibula during the first game of the season against Oklahoma Sooners football, ending his season.

D'Wayne Bates returned for his senior season at Northwestern, where he established career highs with 83 catches and 1,245 receiving yards.

D'Wayne Bates' achievements are more impressive, when one considers that he only played three full seasons.

However, the Bears waived D'Wayne Bates the following day after failing to renegotiate his contract or trade him to another team.

However, in 2003, D'Wayne Bates' production diminished as he only caught 15 passes for 151 yards.

Around the time of his retirement, D'Wayne Bates began to volunteer and coach at Evanston Township High School, and was inspired to become a full-time teacher.

In 2005, D'Wayne Bates was inducted into the Northwestern Athletic Hall of Fame.