43 Facts About Jake Delhomme

Jake Christopher Delhomme is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League.

Jake Delhomme began his professional career as a practice squad player with the Saints in 1997 and 1998 and played in the NFL Europe for two years in between NFL seasons.

Jake Delhomme played as the Carolina Panthers starting quarterback from 2003 to 2009.

Jake Delhomme held many of Carolina's quarterback records until Cam Newton broke most of them.

Jake Delhomme was born to Jerry and Marcia Jake Delhomme, both Cajuns.

Jake Delhomme's grandfather bred horses, and his father was a jockey who began racing at eight years old.

Jake Delhomme has called horses his "first love", and he, his father, and his brother own and train thoroughbreds.

Jake Delhomme played both quarterback and defensive back for Teurlings Catholic; he made the all-state team in high school not as quarterback, but on defense.

Jake Delhomme played college football for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, then named the University of Southwestern Louisiana, his mother's alma mater.

Jake Delhomme finished his career as the school's all-time passing leader in yards and touchdowns.

Jake Delhomme started the last 43 games of his career, which was the longest among active quarterbacks at the time.

Jake Delhomme was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.

Jake Delhomme went undrafted in the 1997 NFL draft, but was later signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent.

Jake Delhomme continued to see limited playing time the following three seasons, as he was the backup to Aaron Brooks and Jeff Blake.

Jake Delhomme managed to lead all NFC quarterbacks in overall passer rating during the 2001 and 2002 preseasons.

Jake Delhomme's success, coupled with the team's struggles, led fans to chant "We Want Jake, We Want Jake".

Jake Delhomme eventually signed with Carolina as a free agent.

Jake Delhomme took over for Peete and threw three touchdowns, the last coming in a fourth-down situation with just 16 seconds left in the game, to lead the Panthers to a comeback victory.

Jake Delhomme started the following week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and proceeded to start every remaining game during the 2003 season.

Jake Delhomme led the Panthers on a Cinderella run through the playoffs, including a double-overtime victory against the St Louis Rams.

Jake Delhomme was seen standing on the field during the Patriots' post-game celebration; he later commented:.

Jake Delhomme finished the final eight games of the season with a passer rating of 102.8, fourth best in the league during that period.

Jake Delhomme threw 17 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions en route to winning six of their last eight games.

In 2005, Jake Delhomme helped return the Panthers to the playoffs.

Jake Delhomme set career highs in completion percentage and passer rating.

Jake Delhomme started the 2006 season as the Panthers' quarterback, the first time in franchise history that the same quarterback was the starter for three straight seasons.

Jake Delhomme set records during the season by making 150 consecutive pass attempts without an interception, bettering Steve Beuerlein's previous team record.

However, in the third game of the season, Jake Delhomme suffered an elbow injury that would set off a series of changes for the Panthers at the quarterback position.

Meanwhile, Jake Delhomme opted for season ending Tommy John surgery on the elbow after two weeks of testing his arm.

Jake Delhomme returned to the starting position for the 2008 season.

Jake Delhomme threw game-ending interceptions the next 2 games, and despite throwing for 2 touchdowns and 7 interceptions with a 54.3 rating through the first 3 games, coach John Fox kept Jake Delhomme as the Panthers' starting quarterback.

Jake Delhomme was placed on season-ending injured reserve on December 24,2009, and was released by the Panthers on March 5,2010.

On March 13,2010, Jake Delhomme signed a two-year deal with the Cleveland Browns.

Jake Delhomme won the starting quarterback job over Seneca Wallace after competing with him during training camp.

Jake Delhomme started against his former team the Carolina Panthers, after Colt McCoy suffered a high ankle sprain.

Jake Delhomme signed with the Houston Texans on November 29,2011, after quarterbacks Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart went down with season-ending injuries.

Jake Delhomme entered the Texans' season finale against the Titans after Yates suffered a bruised throwing shoulder.

Jake Delhomme would go on to lead his team on a potential game-winning drive, completing 18 of 28 passes for 211 yards and a touchdown.

Jake Delhomme married Keri Melancon in 2000; the two were childhood sweethearts, and were "Junior Sweethearts" at Teurlings Catholic.

Jake Delhomme has done SunCom Wireless limited edition cell phone commercials that feature a Panthers logo and his signature, and he has appeared in public service announcements for Civitan International.

Jake Delhomme is noted for licking his fingers before every play, and sticking his tongue out as part of his focus.

Since retiring from football in 2011, Jake Delhomme returned to his hometown of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, and worked in banking while breeding racehorses.

On July 9,2019, the Panthers announced that Jake Delhomme would be inducted into the team's Hall of Honor along with Jordan Gross, Wesley Walls, and Steve Smith Sr.