| No. 97, 99 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positions | Defensive line Offensive lineman | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born | (1973-07-14)July 14, 1973 (age 52) Jacksonville, North Carolina, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||
| Weight | 310 lb (141 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school | Swansboro(Swansboro, North Carolina) | ||||||||
| College | North Carolina | ||||||||
| NFL draft | 1997: 5th round, 144th overall pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Career Arena League statistics | |||||||||
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Andre Purvis (born July 14, 1973) is an American former professionalfootball player who was adefensive tackle for theCincinnati Bengals of theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theNorth Carolina Tar Heels. He was selected by the Bengals in the fifth round of the1997 NFL draft.
Purvis originally attendedWhite Oak High School, in Jacksonville, North Carolina, before transferring to Swansboro High School to be closer to his ill grandmother, there he enjoyed much success for the east Carolina school.[1] After graduating high school, he attended North Carolina where the played three seasons as a reserve defensive lineman, playing behindMarcus Jones. As a redshirt freshman, in a 1993 game againstTulane, Purvis recovered two blocked punts in the end zone for touchdowns.[2] Then as a senior in 1996, he recorded 24 tackles, 4.5 tackle-for-loss, 2.5 sacks and 14 quarterback pressures. For the season, he was named team's most improved player.[1] He graduated from North Carolina with a degree in communications.[1]
Purvis was drafted by theCincinnati Bengals in the fifth round (144th overall) of the1997 NFL draft.[3] He played three seasons for the Bengals. As arookie, he appeared in seven games with one start (against theNew York Giants) during Week 8. For theseason he recorded three tackles. In1998 he spent the first eight weeks of the season on the inactive list.[1] He appeared in the final nine games as a back-upnose guard.[1] For the season he recorded six tackles and his only career sack, againstJohn Elway. For the1999 season, he appeared in five games recording two tackles.
After spending a year away from football, Purvis was selected in the 18th round (141st overall) of theXFL Player Allocation and Selection System draft by theOrlando Rage.[1] While with the Rage, he recorded 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks.[1]
After the XFL folded, Purvis joined theCarolina Cobras of theArena Football League (AFL) for one season. In his lone season with the Cobras, he recorded four tackles and onefumble recovery.