35 Facts About Jay Riemersma

Allen Jay Riemersma was born on May 17,1973 and is an American former professional football tight end.

Jay Riemersma played for the University of Michigan from 1994 to 1995.

Jay Riemersma played nine seasons in the National Football League for the Buffalo Bills from 1996 to 2002 and Pittsburgh Steelers from 2003 to 2004.

Jay Riemersma announced his candidacy for the US House of Representatives in September 2009.

Jay Riemersma became Zeeland's all-time leading scorer in basketball, played baseball for two seasons, and was the quarterback for the football team.

Originally recruited by Michigan as a quarterback, Jay Riemersma appeared in three games at that position in the 1992 and 1993 seasons.

Jay Riemersma came into the game as a substitute for Todd Collins in the third quarter and completed all three passes he attempted for 43 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown pass to Amani Toomer in the fourth quarter.

Jay Riemersma completed a total of six of eleven passes for 79 yards the 1992 and 1993 seasons.

In 1994, Jay Riemersma suffered a rotator cuff injury, which ended his career as a quarterback.

Jay Riemersma caught 33 passes for 336 yards and two touchdowns in 1994.

In 1995, Jay Riemersma added another 41 catches for 370 yards and a touchdown.

Jay Riemersma won both the Meyer Morton Award and the Arthur Robinson Scholarship Award while attending Michigan.

Jay Riemersma was drafted by the Buffalo Bills as the 35th pick of the seventh round of the 1996 NFL draft.

Jay Riemersma spent seven seasons in Buffalo from 1996 to 2002, appearing in 90 games, 65 as a starter.

Jay Riemersma caught 26 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns.

In 1998, Jay Riemersma had a career-high six touchdowns in 16 games for the Bills.

Jay Riemersma had his first career two-touchdown game in a November 2000 win over the Miami Dolphins.

Jay Riemersma started 15 games for the 2001 Bills and caught 53 passes for 590 yards.

Jay Riemersma was plagued by injuries during his six years with the Bills.

Bills president Tom Donahoe said the club was asking Jay Riemersma to restructure the final year of his contract, reportedly worth $3.5 million.

In March 2003, Jay Riemersma signed a three-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers worth almost $4 million.

Jay Riemersma gives you a guy that you better start thinking about down the middle of the field.

Jay Riemersma did not play another game in the NFL after suffering the Achilles tendon injury.

Jay Riemersma spent the 2005 season coaching high school football and recovering from his injury.

In January 2006, Jay Riemersma announced that he would not attempt a comeback and that he was retiring from the NFL.

Jay Riemersma's agent, said at the time that the nature and severity of the injury would make it too difficult for Riemersma to play again.

In nine NFL seasons, Jay Riemersma played in 112 games and caught 221 passes for 2,524 yards and 23 touchdowns.

In 2009, Jay Riemersma was inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame.

In November 2007, Jay Riemersma joined Family Research Council, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, as the director of a six-state region that includes Michigan.

In September 2009, Jay Riemersma announced that he would run for the US House of Representatives as a Republican in Michigan's 2nd congressional district.

Jay Riemersma said he would fight against abortion, taxes and big government.

Jay Riemersma was ultimately defeated in the primary election by Bill Huizenga, who would go on to win the general election.

In February 2010, Jay Riemersma drew attention when he announced his support for Tim Tebow's Focus on the Family Super Bowl advertisement.

Jay Riemersma is an active member of Parkside Bible Church in Holland.

Jay Riemersma serves on the board of directors of the American Red Cross, Ottawa County Chapter.