Jamal Anderson

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This article is about the former Falcons running back. For the current Falcons defensive end, see Jamaal Anderson.

Jamal Anderson
Image:JamalAnderson.jpg Anderson in Duluth, Georgia in August 2007
Position(s): Running back	Jersey #(s): 32
Born: September 30 1972 (1972-09-30) (age 37) Image:Flag of New Jersey.svg East Orange, New Jersey
Career Information
Year(s): 1994-2001
NFL Draft: 1994 / Round: 7 / Pick: 201
College: Utah
Professional Teams
Atlanta Falcons (1994-2001)
Career Stats
Rushing yards	5,336
Average	4.0
Touchdowns	41
Stats at NFL.com
Career Highlights and Awards
Pro Bowl selection (1998)

Jamal Sharif Anderson (born September 30, 1972 in East Orange, New Jersey) is a former running back in the National Football League, with the Atlanta Falcons. He played eight seasons with the Falcons, amassing 5,336 rushing yards, 156 receptions for 1,645 yards, and 41 touchdowns before he suffered what became a career-ending tear of his ACL in 2001. His best season came in 1998 when he carried the ball an NFL single-season record 410 times (surpassed by Larry Johnson in 2006) for 1,846 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was just 162 yards away from league leader and NFL MVP Terrell Davis for rushing champion. All of his efforts helped lift the 14-2 Falcons to the Super Bowl before losing to the Denver Broncos led by John Elway and league MVP Terrell Davis. He rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns in the Falcons playoff win against the San Francisco 49ers, and 96 yards in the Super Bowl.

He was well-known for his Dirty Bird touchdown celebration, in which he flapped his arms like wings and gyrated in the crowd's direction. The dance has been widely copied; in a press conference Anderson stated that “people break out and do the Dirty Bird in the strangest places. Somebody asked me in the bathroom. I said, ‘Whoa, buddy.’” ^[1]

[edit] Personal

Jamal is currently trying his hand at sports broadcasting, skydiving, and wine tasting. He played in the NFL Pro Bowl alumni game on February 10, 2007, during which he scored a touchdown and did his trademark Dirty Bird celebration.

Jamal was one of the celebrity participants in MTV's Celebrity Rap Superstar, which premiered August 30, 2007. He ended up being the first contestant cut from the show.