Field Yates | |
|---|---|
| Born | Field Minister Yates (1987-04-23)April 23, 1987 (age 37) Boston,Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Wesleyan University (BS) |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Career | |
| Show | Fantasy Focus (2018-present) |
| Station | ESPN Radio |
| Country | United States |
| College football career | |
| Wesleyan Cardinals | |
| Position | Safety |
| Class | 2009 |
| Major | Psychology |
| Personal information | |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career history | |
| High school | Belmont Hill School |
Field Minister Yates (born April 23, 1987) is an American sportswriter and analyst, who is an NFL Insider atESPN where he provides NFL and fantasy football insight. A graduate ofWesleyan University, where he was a two sport athlete, and a former member of theKansas City Chiefs coaching staff, he has worked at ESPN since 2012.
Yates was born inBoston, Massachusetts on April 23, 1987. He attendedBelmont Hill School and was a member of their football team and lacrosse team.[1] As a tight end and linebacker, he was named to the All-Independent School League.[2] He later attendedWesleyan University where he graduated with a degree in psychology.[3] At Wesleyan, he was a member of thefootball team and lacrosse team.[3][4][5]
Yates intended to pursue a career in either coaching or scouting football.[3] His career was heading that way as he interned with theNew England Patriots for four seasons during his high school and college years.[6] With the Patriots, Yates worked in a variety of scouting and coaching duties.[6] From 2009 to 2011, he worked for theKansas City Chiefs in their scouting and coaching department. During his first year with the Chiefs, Yates worked as an in-house scout and soon after worked as an assistant to Head CoachTodd Haley.[2] Yates spent games in the coaching box and charted defensive plays.[2][7]
Yates has stated that he ended up in broadcasting and journalism "by complete accident."[8] After leaving the Chiefs organization, he spent time writing a football blog and writing for some football sites.[8] In 2011, he connected with ESPN reporter Mike Reiss, who then served as a mentor to Yates.[9] Yates helped Reiss with his coverage of the Patriots during the2012 NFL draft and the2012 New England Patriots season.[8]
After first covering the Patriots for ESPN Boston, ESPN hired Yates and assigned him to a variety of duties.[8] At ESPN, Yates serves as a football analyst, who covers theNFL and provides fantasy football insight. He co-hosts theFantasy Focus podcast onESPN Radio.[10] He also hostsESPN 2's Sunday pregame showFantasy Football Now, which he was previously a contributor to, and serves as a contributor toMonday Night Football as the host ofMonday Tailgate.[10][11]
He previously served as the host of ESPN Radio's showsOperation Football andFootball Friendzy.[10] Yates is also a regular contributor toNFL Live,SportsCenter,The Fantasy Show onESPN+ and to ESPN's coverage of theNFL Draft.[10]
