View source for Chris Samuels

{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1977)}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name         = Chris Samuels
| image        = Chris Samuels by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| image_size   =
| alt          = 
| caption      = Samuels in 2024
| number       = 60
| position     = [[Tackle (gridiron football position)|Offensive tackle]]
| birth_date   = {{Birth date and age|1977|7|28|mf=y}}
| birth_place  = [[Mobile, Alabama]], U.S.
| death_date   = 
| death_place  = 
| height_ft    = 6
| height_in    = 5
| weight_lbs   = 314
| high_school  = [[John Shaw High School|John Shaw]] (Mobile, Alabama)
| college      = [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]] (1996–1999)
| draftyear    = 2000
| draftround   = 1
| draftpick    = 3
| pastteams    =
* [[Washington Commanders|Washington Redskins]] ({{NFL Year|2000}}–{{NFL Year|2009}})
| pastcoaching =
* [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] (2012–2014) <br> Assistant offensive line coach
| highlights   =
* 6× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[2002 Pro Bowl|2001]], [[2003 Pro Bowl|2002]], [[2006 Pro Bowl|2005]]–[[2009 Pro Bowl|2008]])
* [[PFWA All-Rookie Team]] ([[PFWA All-Rookie Team#2000|2000]])
* [[Washington Commanders#90 Greatest|Washington 90 Greatest]]
* [[Washington Commanders#Ring of Fame|Washington Commanders Ring of Fame]]
* [[Unanimous All-American]] ([[1999 College Football All-America Team|1999]])
* [[Outland Trophy]] (1999)
* [[Jacobs Blocking Trophy]] (1999)
* First-team [[List of All-SEC football teams|All-SEC]] ([[1999 All-SEC football team|1999]])
* Second-team All-SEC ([[1997 All-SEC football team|1997]])
| statlabel1   = Games played
| statvalue1   = 141
| statlabel2   = Games started
| statvalue2   = 141
| statlabel3   = [[Fumble|Fumble recoveries]]
| statvalue3   = 4
| pfr          = SamuCh00 
}}

'''Chris Samuels''' (born July 28, 1977) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] player who was an [[offensive tackle]] for 10 seasons in the [[National Football League]] (NFL). He played [[college football]] for the [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama Crimson Tide]], and was recognized as a [[unanimous All-American]]. Selected third overall in the [[2000 NFL draft]], Samuels played his entire pro career for the NFL's [[Washington Commanders|Washington Redskins]] (now Washington Commanders) and was a six-time [[Pro Bowl]] selection.<ref>{{Citation |first=Rick |last=Maese |title=Redskins look to patch offensive line holes in free agency, draft |newspaper=Washington Post |date=March 2, 2010 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/01/AR2010030103530.html }}.</ref><ref>{{Citation |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2010/03/redskins-confirm-pro-bowl-lt-chris-samuels-will-retire-thursday/1 |title=Redskins confirm Pro Bowl LT Chris Samuels will retire Thursday |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=March 3, 2010 |first=Nate |last=Davis }}.</ref>

==Early life==
Samuels was born in [[Mobile, Alabama]]. He attended [[John Shaw High School]] in Mobile, where he played both offense and defense for the John Shaw [[high school football]] team, and helped Shaw to an 8–3 record and a spot in the [[Alabama High School Athletic Association|AHSAA]] playoffs.<ref name="Washington Redskins bio">[http://www.redskins.com/gen/players/Chris_Samuels.jsp Washington Redskins bio] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216002919/http://www.redskins.com/gen/players/Chris_Samuels.jsp |date=February 16, 2010 }}</ref>

==College career==
While attending the [[University of Alabama]], Samuels played for the [[Alabama Crimson Tide football]] team from 1996 to 1999. As senior in 1999, he was named to the [[List of All-SEC football teams|All-Southeastern Conference]] (SEC) first team by the conference's coaches, the Associated Press, the ''Birmingham News'' and the ''Mobile Press Register'', and was recognized as a [[unanimous All-American]].<ref>''2011 NCAA Football Records Book'', [http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2011/Awards.pdf Award Winners], National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, p. 11 (2011). Retrieved June 25, 2012.</ref> He also won the [[Outland Trophy]] as the nation's best college interior lineman, and was a semifinalist for the [[Lombardi Award]].

Samuels won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the SEC's most outstanding blocker.<ref name="Washington Redskins bio" /> He started 42 straight games, from early in his 1996 freshman season until his last regular-season game as a senior, without yielding a sack. Samuels did not allow a quarterback pressure in 1999, had 91 knockdown blocks and played nearly every offensive snap during the regular season, and opening holes for Crimson Tide running back [[Shaun Alexander]], who gained 1,383 yards rushing.<ref name="Washington Redskins bio" />

==Professional career==
Samuels was considered the premier offensive tackle prospect in the [[2000 NFL draft]].<ref name="MannixBostonHerald">{{Citation |last=Mannix |first=Kevin |date=April 14, 2000 |title='Bama behemoth tops so-so crop |newspaper=[[Boston Herald]] |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/52641331.html?dids=52641331:52641331&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021215643/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/52641331.html?dids=52641331:52641331&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |quote=There isn't much depth among the offensive line crop in this year's draft, but there is blue-chip quality at the top in the form of Chris Samuels, Alabama's 6-foot-5, 325-pound left tackle and premier pass protector. }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |work=CNNSI.com |year=2000 |title=2000 NFL Draft Profile: Chris Samuels |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/2000/nfldraft/players/40601.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000830105753/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/2000/nfldraft/players/40601.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 30, 2000 }}</ref> He did not work out at the [[NFL Combine]] after sustaining an injury to his right knee. He was [[NFL draft|drafted]] third overall by the [[Washington Commanders|Washington Redskins]], who had given up two first-round picks (12th and 24th) plus a fourth and fifth-round choice to move up to third in the first round. Samuels was the only offensive tackle drafted in the top 19 of the draft, and the first Alabama offensive lineman selected in the first round of an NFL Draft since [[Bob Cryder]] in [[1978 NFL draft|1978]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2000 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2000/draft.htm |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 5 1/8
| weight = 325
| note = Values from [[NFL Combine]]<ref>{{citation |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1595&DraftYear=2000 |title=Chris Samuels Draft Profile |work=DraftScout.com |access-date=January 18, 2010}}</ref>
}}

===Washington Redskins===
[[file:Chris-Samuels.jpg|thumb|Samuels at the [[2008 Pro Bowl]].]]
{{Cquote|quote = "Excellent athlete, good run man and pass blocker, and can run like a deer. We isolate him one on one like we did with [[Jim Lachey|Lachey]] and leave him on the same guy the whole game. He’s like [[Gilligan (Gilligan's Island)|Gilligan]], he’s got this guy the whole game."
|source = [[Joe Bugel]], former Redskins offensive line coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/10-For-80-Redskins-Legacy-Chris-Samuels/c9fd07ac-8ed3-4c97-99cc-ba6a960cb648|title=10 For 80 Redskins Legacy: Chris Samuels|access-date=11 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110231858/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/10-For-80-Redskins-Legacy-Chris-Samuels/c9fd07ac-8ed3-4c97-99cc-ba6a960cb648|archive-date=November 10, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>|float=right
| width=35%}}
Samuels immediately became the starting left tackle for the Redskins and was then selected to six [[Pro Bowls]]. In 2000, Samuels was one of only four players on offense to start every game, joining [[Jon Jansen]], [[Mark Fischer (American football)|Mark Fischer]] and [[Stephen Alexander (American football)|Stephen Alexander]]. Samuels won co-Offensive Rookie of the Month for October with Dolphins tackle [[Todd Wade]]. He missed the last three quarters in the season finale vs. Arizona with a neck injury.<ref name="Washington Redskins bio"/> In 2001, Samuels started all 16 regular-season games at left tackle and was voted to the [[Pro Bowl]], he earned game balls, along with the rest of the offensive line, for two games: vs. Seattle and at New Orleans.<ref name="Washington Redskins bio"/> Samuels was featured on the cover of the December 3, 2001 issue of [[Sports Illustrated]] along with running back [[Stephen Davis (American football)|Stephen Davis]] after becoming the first team in NFL history to lose its first five games, then go on to win its next five games.<ref name="Washington Redskins bio"/>

In 2002, Samuels started 15 regular-season games at left tackle and earned his second consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl. He was also voted as the Redskins 2002 [[Ed Block Courage Award]] winner.<ref name="Washington Redskins bio"/> In 2003, he started 13 regular-season games at left tackle
and missed games vs. New Orleans, at New York Giants and vs. Dallas because of a knee injury.<ref name="Washington Redskins bio"/>

In 2004, he started all 16 regular-season games at left tackle and helped running back [[Clinton Portis]] rush for 1,315 yards, becoming only the fourth Redskin in history to do so in a single season.<ref name="Washington Redskins bio"/>

Samuels was regarded as the leader of Washington's offensive line. During the 2005 off-season, the Redskins signed him to a 7-year contract worth about $47 million and a signing bonus of about $16 million. In 2005, he started all 16 regular-season games and two postseason contests at left tackle. He was named to the Pro Bowl after helped open up running lanes for Clinton Portis to rush for a franchise-record 1,516 yards.<ref name="Washington Redskins bio"/>
In 2006, he started all 16 regular-season games at left tackle. He helped [[Ladell Betts]] rush for a career-best 1,154 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Samuels was named to the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive season.<ref name="Washington Redskins bio"/>

In 2007, Samuels was named to the Pro Bowl for the third consecutive season and started all 16 regular-season games and one postseason contest at left tackle. He paved the way for the Redskins to post their third highest all-time rushing total in a single game ( 296 yards on 48 carries) at [[New York Jets]] on November 4.<ref name="Washington Redskins bio"/>
Samuels was fined [[USD|$]]12,500 for delivering an illegal chop block that injured [[Antonio Garay]] of the [[Chicago Bears]] during a game in 2007. He later apologized to Garay, who spent the remainder of the season on Injured Reserve, as well as to Bears head coach [[Lovie Smith]].<ref>{{cite news | first=Larry | last=Mayer | title=Samuels calls Bears coach to apologize for block | date=December 15, 2007 | url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?STORY_ID=4189&print=yes | work=chicagobears.com | access-date=September 7, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219052814/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4189&print=yes | archive-date=December 19, 2007 | url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2008, [[New York Giants]] defensive end [[Mathias Kiwanuka]] accused Samuels of "dirty play," after he made a low tackle on Kiwanuka during the final minutes of the 2008 NFL season opener. Samuels denied allegations that he intentionally attempted to injure Kiwanuka, stating "On that particular play I was just trying to protect my quarterback... It was never my intention to go out there and injure another player."<ref>{{cite news | first=Tom | last=Canavan | title=Giants DE Kiwanuka accuses Samuels of dirty play | date=September 5, 2008 | publisher=[[Yahoo! Sports]] | url =https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AtcIbzmqtapUEc8VqGY6aw9DubYF?slug=ap-kiwanuka-samuels&prov=ap&type=lgns | access-date = September 7, 2008 }}</ref>

In 2008, Samuels was named a Team Captain played and started in 12 regular season games and was inactive in one contest with knee cartilage irritation at Detroit on October 26, seeing his consecutive starting streak snapped at 73 games.
He was placed on Injured Reserve by a triceps tear on December 9, 2008, and missed the last three games. Samuels was named to the [[2008 Pro Bowl]] but did not play because of the triceps injury. He paved the way for Clinton Portis to rank fourth in the NFL in rushing yards (1,487) and total yards from scrimmage (1,705). Portis tied for the NFL lead in total first downs (82) with Chicago Bears RB [[Matt Forte]] and Atlanta Falcons RB [[Michael Turner (American football)|Michael Turner]].<ref name="Washington Redskins bio"/> Samuels helped Portis to have the second-most rushing yards (1,487) in a single-season in club history and opened up running lanes for Portis to post more than 120 yards rushing in five consecutive contests (121 rushing yards, at Dallas; 145 at Philadelphia; 129 vs. St. Louis; 175 vs. Cleveland, and 126 at Detroit).<ref name="Washington Redskins bio"/>
Samuels led the way for Portis to tie a club record for most consecutive 100-yard rushing games (5 straight contests in 2008), a record shared by [[Rob Goode]] (1951), Portis (2005) and Ladell Betts (2006).<ref name="Washington Redskins bio"/>

Samuels suffered through temporary upper-body paralysis based on compression of his neck during a helmet to helmet hit while in pass protection on a play against the [[Carolina Panthers]] on October 11, 2009. The injury was determined to be related to [[spinal stenosis]], a condition that he was diagnosed with as a child. Due to the risk of incurring a long-term, severe injury related to his condition by continuing his career, he retired from the NFL on March 4, 2010, based on advice from his doctors.<ref name="NFLRetire">{{cite news |title=Realizing risks, Redskins' Samuels quits |agency=ESPN.com news services |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4965809 |date=March 4, 2010 |access-date=January 24, 2012}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
Samuels indicated during his retirement press conference with the Washington Redskins that he intended to continue his career in football and become a coach.<ref name="NFLRetire"/> In 2010, he participated in the NFL's Minority Coaching Fellowship as an assistant to the Redskins' [[offensive line coach]] [[Chris Foerster]].<ref name="SkinsCoach">{{cite news |title=Retired UA great Chris Samuels tackling new gig as coach |newspaper=Press-Register |location=Mobile, Alabama |publisher=AL.com |url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/09/retired_ua_great_chris_samuels.html |date=September 21, 2010 |access-date=January 24, 2012}}</ref> In February 2011, Samuels volunteered as the [[offensive coordinator]] at [[Mattie T. Blount High School]] in [[Prichard, Alabama]].<ref name="Blount1">{{cite news |title=Chris Samuels will be offensive coordinator at Alabama high school |newspaper=The Washington Post |first=Cindy |last=Boren |publisher=washingtonpost.com |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/early-lead/2011/02/report_chris_samuels_will_be_o.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110022034/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/early-lead/2011/02/report_chris_samuels_will_be_o.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 10, 2012 |date=February 9, 2011 |access-date=January 24, 2012}}</ref> At Blount, he helped lead the Leopards to an overall record of 10–2 and an appearance in the [[Alabama High School Athletic Association]] playoffs.<ref name="UAHire">{{cite news |title=Chris Samuels returns to Alabama to pursue degree, coaching career |publisher=AL.com |first=Matt |last=Scalici |url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/01/chris_samuels_returns_to_alaba.html |date=January 24, 2012 |access-date=January 24, 2012}}</ref> After only one season at Blount, in January 2012 Samuels returned to the [[University of Alabama]] to serve as a student assistant coach for Crimson Tide head coach [[Nick Saban]].<ref name="UAHire"/> There he was an assistant offensive line coach while working to complete his degree in physical education.<ref name="UAHire"/> In 2015, he left Alabama to become a high school coach at [[Osbourn High School]] in [[Manassas, Virginia]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Cam |date=January 30, 2015 |title=Redskins great Chris Samuels leaves Alabama to become head coach in Virginia |url=http://usatodayhss.com/2015/redskins-great-chris-samuels-leaves-alabama-to-become-head-coach-in-virginia |access-date=April 11, 2017 |website=USA Today High School Sports}}</ref>  In November 2016, Samuels stepped down from the Osbourn football coach job.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insidenova.com/sports/former-washington-redskin-chris-samuels-steps-down-as-osbourn-s/article_21fa23f4-b646-11e6-b2be-ef7275688083.html|title=Former Washington Redskin Chris Samuels steps down as Osbourn's head football coach|date=November 29, 2016 |access-date=April 11, 2017}}</ref> In 2017, Samuels was hired as the offensive coordinator at [[Winston Churchill High School (Potomac, Maryland)|Winston Churchill High School]] in [[Potomac, Maryland]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/recruiting-insider/wp/2017/03/31/former-redskins-pro-bowler-chris-samuels-hired-as-churchills-offensive-coordinator/|title=Former Redskins Pro Bowler Chris Samuels hired as Churchill's offensive coordinator|last=Dougherty|first=Jesse|date=31 March 2017|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2019-10-20}}</ref>  After stepping down at Winston Churchill in 2019, Samuels was hired as offensive coordinator at [[Northwest High School (Maryland)|Northwest High School]] in [[Germantown, Maryland]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mont.thesentinel.com/2019/08/29/football-preview-2019-with-new-playbook-northwest-football-plans-a-few-tricks-heading-into-season/|title=Football Preview 2019: With new playbook, Northwest Football plans a few tricks heading into season|date=2019-08-29|website=The Montgomery County Sentinel|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-20}}</ref>

==Honors==
Samuels was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame as part of the 2016 class.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/12/james_brooks_chris_samuels_hig.html|title=James Brooks, Chris Samuels highlight Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2016|website=AL.com|date=December 16, 2015 |access-date=May 20, 2016}}</ref> He was inducted into the [[Redskins Ring of Fame]] on October 20, 2019, at halftime against the [[San Francisco 49ers]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Redskins To Honor London Fletcher, Chris Samuels With Induction Into Team's Ring Of Fame |url=https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-to-honor-london-fletcher-chris-samuels-redskins-ring-of-fame-induction |website=Redskins.com |access-date=16 August 2019}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:49ers at Redskins 2019 K0A7352 (48937626887).jpg|thumb|Chris Samuels with his family (2019)]]
Samuels is the younger brother of [[Arena Football League]] player and coach [[Lawrence Samuels]]. He married longtime girlfriend [[Monique Samuels|Monique Cox]] in March 2012. They have three children.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/on-love-were-best-friends-and-were-lovers-as-well-its-the-best-of-both-worlds/2012/03/19/gIQAV7H0TS_story.html|title=On Love: 'We're best friends and we're lovers as well. It's the best of both worlds.'|last=McCarthy|first=Ellen|date=March 22, 2012|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=November 13, 2019}}</ref> Monique appeared as a cast member on ''[[The Real Housewives of Potomac]]'' for four seasons.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rice |first=Nicholas |title=Monique Samuels Says She's Not Returning to ''Real Housewives of Potomac'': 'Enough Is Enough' |url=https://people.com/tv/monique-samuels-not-returning-to-rhop/ |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |access-date=December 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228141109/https://people.com/tv/monique-samuels-not-returning-to-rhop/ |archive-date=December 28, 2020 |location=United States |date=December 28, 2020 |quote=After the final episode of the season five reunion aired on Sunday evening, the 37-year-old said during an Instagram Live that she is not returning to the show for season six. |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Iannucci |first=Rebecca |title=''Real Housewives'': Monique Samuels Leaving ''Potomac'' Ahead of Season 6 |url=https://tvline.com/2020/12/28/monique-samuels-leaving-real-housewives-potomac-not-returning-season-6/ |website=[[TVLine]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |access-date=December 28, 2020 |location=United States |date=December 28, 2020 |quote=Another ''Real Housewives'' cast member is walking through the franchise's revolving door: Monique Samuels announced Sunday that she won't be returning to ''The Real Housewives of Potomac'' for Season 6.}}</ref> On June 15, 2023, Monique filed for divorce after 11 years of marriage, with the divorce being finalized on September 25, 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jackson |first1=Dory |last2=Quinn|first2=Dave|title= 'RHOP' Alum Monique Samuels Files for Divorce from Chris Samuels (Exclusive) |url= https://people.com/real-housewives-of-potomac-alum-monique-samuels-files-for-divorce-chris-samuels-exclusive-7506079 |website=[[People (magazine)|People.com]] |publisher=[[People (magazine)|People Magazine]] |access-date=June 20, 2023 |location=United States |date=June 20, 2023 |quote= The Montgomery County Family Court confirmed to PEOPLE on Tuesday that The Real Housewives of Potomac alum, 39, has officially filed for divorce from the former NFL player, 45. Though Monique has filed a petition to seal the documents, the docket shows that she filed a complaint for absolute divorce on April 14. She then filed an amended complaint for absolute divorce on June 15.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Real Housewives of Potomac Alum Monique Samuels and Ex Chis Samuels Finalize Their Divorce (Exclusive)|url=https://people.com/rhop-monique-samuels-and-chris-samuels-finalize-divorce-exclusive-7979112#:~:text=PEOPLE%20exclusively%20revealed%20on%20June,Hearings%20continued%20throughout%20the%20summer.|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|last1=Quinn|first1=Dave|last2=Jackson|first2=Dory|date=September 28, 2023|access-date=September 29, 2023}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100216002919/http://www.redskins.com/gen/players/Chris_Samuels.jsp Washington Redskins biography]
* {{Commons category-inline}}

{{Outland Trophy}}
{{1999 NCAA Division I-A College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{2000 NFL Draft}}
{{RedskinsFirstPick}}
{{Redskins2000DraftPicks}}
{{Washington Commanders greatest players}}
{{Washington Commanders Ring of Fame}}
{{2012 Alabama Crimson Tide football navbox}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Samuels, Chris}}
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:African-American coaches of American football]]
[[Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football coaches]]
[[Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football players]]
[[Category:All-American college football players]]
[[Category:American football offensive tackles]]
[[Category:High school football coaches in Alabama]]
[[Category:High school football coaches in Virginia]]
[[Category:National Conference Pro Bowl players]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Mobile, Alabama]]
[[Category:Washington Redskins players]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]