Chris Samuels (born July 28, 1977) is an American former professional 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, 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 Redskins (now Washington Commanders) and was a six-time Pro Bowl selection.

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 AHSAA playoffs.

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 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. 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. He did not work out at the NFL Combine after sustaining an injury to his right knee. He was drafted third overall by the 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.

thumb|Samuels at the [[2008 Pro Bowl.]]

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 and 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. 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."

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.

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. In February 2011, Samuels volunteered as the offensive coordinator at Mattie T. Blount High School in Prichard, Alabama. 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. 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. In November 2016, Samuels stepped down from the Osbourn football coach job. In 2017, Samuels was hired as the offensive coordinator at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, Maryland. After stepping down at Winston Churchill in 2019, Samuels was hired as offensive coordinator at Northwest High School in Germantown, Maryland.

Honors

Samuels was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame as part of the 2016 class. He was inducted into the Redskins Ring of Fame on October 20, 2019, at halftime against the San Francisco 49ers.

Personal life

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 Cox in March 2012. They have three children. Monique appeared as a cast member on The Real Housewives of Potomac for four seasons. On June 15, 2023, Monique filed for divorce after 11 years of marriage, with the divorce being finalized on September 25, 2023.

References

  • Washington Redskins biography