Tyrod Taylor is an American football player for the National Football League’s New York Giants (NFL).
He attended Virginia Tech and led the Hokies to the 2009 Orange Bowl as a sophomore and the 2011 Orange Bowl as a senior. The player was drafted in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens.
He served as the backup quarterback to starting quarterback Joe Flacco. Tyrod also did during the Ravens’ Super Bowl XLVII victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
In 2015, Taylor was signed as a free agent by the Buffalo Bills, taking over as starting quarterback that season and making the Pro Bowl.
In 2017, the player helped the Bills reach the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. In March 2018, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns, and the Bills drafted Josh Allen to replace him.
Tyrod went on to start for the Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, and Houston Texans. However, the player was sidelined by injuries and replaced by rookies Justin Herbert, Baker Mayfield, and Davis Mills.
Keep reading the article to learn more about New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor. But, first, here are some quick facts about him!
Quick Facts
Full Name | Tyrod Diallo Taylor |
Date of Birth | August 3, 1989 |
Birth Place | Hampton, Virginia |
Nick Name | T-Mobile, TyGod |
Religion | Christianity |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | Black |
Zodiac Sign | Leo |
Age | 35 years old |
Height | 6 feet 1 inch |
Weight | 98 kg |
Hair Color | Black |
Eye Color | Dark Brown |
Build | Athletic, Muscular |
Father’s Name | Rodney Taylor |
Mother’s Name | Trina Taylor |
Siblings | None |
High School’s name | Hampton High School (Hampton, Virginia) |
College Name | Virginia Tech University (2007–2010) |
Marital Status | Not married |
Girlfriend | Draya Michelle |
Profession | NFL player |
Position | Quarterback |
Team | New York Giants |
Active Years | 2011 – present |
NFL Draft | Round: 6, Pick: 180, 2011 |
Passing Attempts | 1,542 |
Passing Completions | 946 |
Rushing Yards | 2,001 |
Passer rating | 88.2 |
Rushing Touchdowns | 19 |
Salary | $1,250,000 |
Net Worth | $1.6 Million |
Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
Last Update | December, 2024 |
Tyrod Taylor: Early Life and Family
Tyrod was born on August 3, 1989, in Hampton, Virginia. His father’s name is Rodney Taylor. Likewise, his mother’s name is Trina Taylor. The player is very close to his parents.
The player is very grateful to have loving parents like Trina and Rodney. He occasionally expresses his gratitude towards his parents on social media too!
Tyrod does not have any siblings, which means that the single child got all the love and attention from his parents ever since he was a kid.
The player is a Christian and was raised in the faith by his parents.
Tyrod Taylor: High School Career
Taylor attended Hampton High School, located in Hampton, Virginia. He served as the team’s quarterback, kick returner, and safety. The player led the team to a 34-4 record in four years as a starter.
He racked up 7,690 yards of offense and scored 100 touchdowns. He rushed for 2,546 yards and 56 touchdowns and passed for 5,144 yards and 44 touchdowns.
The player graduated from Hampton in 2007 as the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback, according to Rivals.com.
Similarly, ESPN.com rated him the third-best quarterback in the country, while Scout.com ranked him seventh.
Tyrod Taylor: College Career
Taylor made his college football debut on September 8, 2007, against the LSU Tigers. The player completed 7-of-18 passes for 62 yards and rushed 44 yards on nine attempts.
Tyrod was supposed to be a redshirt freshman in 2008. However, following Virginia Tech’s loss to East Carolina University, his redshirt was removed due to Tech’s need for more offense.
Likewise, Taylor led the Hokies to a 9-3 regular-season record and a second-place finish in the ACC’s Coastal Division during his junior season.
In the 2009 Chick-fil-A Bowl, the Hokies defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 37-14, finishing with a 10-3 record.
Taylor’s senior season began with heartbreaking losses at home to Division I-FCS James Madison and at FedExField to Boise State. However, things got better by the end.
The player was named ACC Player of the Year and ACC Championship Game Most Valuable Player at the end of the regular season.
Similarly, Tyrod also took part in the East-West Shrine Game in 2011. He finished four of five passes for 59 yards.
Professional NFL Career Stats
The NFL player had a gratifying professional career. His NFL Career Stats are listed below:
- Taylor’s Bills franchise records
– Highest completion percentage (91.7%) in a single game
– Most consecutive pass attempts (222) without an interception
– Highest career passer rating (92.5), 500 or more passes thrown
– Highest career completion percentage (62.6), 500 or more passes thrown
– First quarterback to post back-to-back seasons with over 500 yards rushing (2015–16)
– First quarterback to post back-to-back-to-back seasons with over 400 yards rushing (2015–17) - Taylor’s Former Bills records
– Most rushing yards (79) in a game by a quarterback
– Most rushing yards (580) in a season by a quarterback
– Most career rushing yards (1,575) by a quarterback
Tyrod Taylor: Age, Body Measurements, and more
The NFL player Tyrod Taylor was born in the year 1989. Hence, he is 35 years old. According to the Chinese zodiac, the NFL player was born in the Snake year.
Likewise, his horoscope is Leo. People with this zodiac are considered to be very caring and courteous. They are also warm and generous, and Tyrod is no different!
Regarding his physique, Tyrod is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 98 kg. Further, thanks to all the gym and workout sessions, Tyrod has a perfectly toned sexy body.
Player Profile
Despite his smaller-than-average frame for an NFL quarterback, the NFL player has received praise for his elusiveness in the pocket as a runner, work ethic, and athleticism.
He is also known for his low turnover rate (the second-lowest among passers with at least 1,000 attempts as of 2019).
However, Critics always point out his conservative playing style, often referring to him as a “game manager” in the mold of players like Alex Smith.
Injuries and Setbacks
Like most other NFL players, Tyrod also had to go through his share of injuries during his playing career.
Taylor left his first preseason start against the Atlanta Falcons with a shoulder injury. Early tests revealed no separation, and his injury was classified as a contusion.
Similarly, during his Week 6 with the Buffalo Games, Taylor suffered an MCL injury.
Tyrod remained inactive for the final game of the 2016 season due to a contract provision that guaranteed his 2017 salary if he suffered a severe injury.
Likewise, Taylor had surgery on January 5, 2017, to repair a core muscle problem. The player was also chosen as a 2017 Pro Bowl alternate, but he declined due to injury.
In addition, Tyrod was limited to 65 passing yards against the New England Patriots in Week 13. He was escorted off the field after aggravating a knee injury in the first quarter.
The player was inactive for Week 14 due to a knee injury, but he returned as the starter in Week 15.
Further, In 2020, Taylor was hospitalized after suffering a rib injury during pre-game warmups the following week before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Days later, it was revealed that the Chargers’ team doctor accidentally punctured Taylor’s lung before the game while administering a painkiller.
The player did not get a break from the injuries. The following year, Taylor suffered a hamstring injury in the first half of Week 2’s game against the Cleveland Browns and was replaced by rookie quarterback Davis Mills for the remainder of the game.
On September 21, he was placed on injured reserve. The player was, however, activated on November 6.
Career Highlights and Awards
- XLVII Super Bowl champion
- 2015 Pro Bowl
- 2010 ACC Player of the Year
- 2010 ACC Offensive Player of the Year
Are you pronouncing Taylor’s first name wrong?
A minor controversy on how to pronounce the NFL player’s first name arose after joining the Browns and being featured on Hard Knocks.
Many people, including Taylor’s father, TV analysts, and coaches, had been saying “TIE-rod” for years.
However, Browns guard Joel Bitonio and fourth-string quarterback Brogan Roback were heard on the show saying “tuh-ROD.”
Taylor’s mother and the Browns’ senior vice president of operations agreed with the pronunciation.
When asked about it, Taylor joked that while he had grown up hearing “TIE-rod,” his mother gave him the name “tuh-ROD,” but she “doesn’t call [him] by [his] first name.”
Tyrod Taylor: Girlfriend
The NFL player is currently in a relationship with Draya Michelle. The couple is very private about their relationship and rarely shares photos on social media.
However, the fact that the two are still dating was confirmed by Draya after she uploaded a congratulatory story for her boyfriend when he signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the New York Giants.
Draya Michelle was born to an Italian mother and an African father. As a result, Draya is classified as African American.
Draya has been interested in skincare since she was a child and took good care of her skin despite having a dark complexion. During her school days, she also took several beauty classes and was first known to the public as the girlfriend of artist Chris Brown.
Similarly, Draya debuted on VH1 Basketball Wives LA in 2011. She also made her acting debut on TV One’s Will to Love the same year, competing against Keshia Knight-Pulliam and Marques Houston.
Draya remained a member of the Los Angeles Basketball Wives cast until her departure at the end of the fourth season in 2015.
Tyrod Taylor Foundation
The Tyrod Taylor Foundation debuted in the summer of 2018 with T2 Community Day, a massive event in Tyrod’s hometown of Hampton, Virginia.
The Tyrod Taylor Foundation’s mission is to support positive developments in the lives of youth in underprivileged communities through charitable giving and education.
The foundation has been organizing various events ever since its establishment in 2018. For instance, During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Taylor made a $25,000 donation to the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank through his foundation.
Likewise, to make the drive-through food pantry a reality, the Tyrod Taylor Foundation collaborated with the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank and Kroger in April 2021.
Tyrod Taylor: Net Worth
The player’s net worth at the moment is approximately $1.6 Million. On March 17, 2022, Tyrod signed a two-year, $11 million contract with the New York Giants.
The contract also includes a $4,200,000 signing bonus, $8,170,000 guaranteed, as well as a $5,500,000 average annual salary.
Moreover, Taylor will earn a base salary of $1,250,000, a signing bonus of $4,200,000, and a workout bonus of $50,000 in 2022. He will have a $2,700,000 cap hit and a dead cap value of $8,175,000.
Tyrod Taylor: Social Media
- Instagram: @tytaylor
- Twitter: @TyrodTaylor
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tyrod Taylor interested in other sports?
Tyrod was a three-sport athlete at Hampton High School in Hampton, Virginia, competing in football, basketball, and track.