A. J. Trapasso Biography
Albert Joseph "A. J." Trap*o (born February 6, 1986) is a former American football punter. He was signed by the Tennessee *ans as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Ohio State.
In addition to the *ans, Trap*o was a member of the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, and Hartford Colonials.
College career
Trap*o played college football at Ohio State. He was recruited from Pickerington High School Central after graduating in 2004. In 2006, Trap*o was awarded the Mosi Tatupu Award for best Special Teams Player in 2006. He finished his college career totaling 203 punt attempts for 8,317 yards in 51 games, 27 kickoffs with 10 touchbacks.
Professional career
Tennessee *ans
After going undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft, Trap*o was signed by the Tennessee *ans as an undrafted free agent on April 30.
In his first professional appearance during the Hall of Fame Game on August 9, 2009, Trap*o ran a fake punt 40 yards for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills. Later in the same game, he purposely ran backwards into the endzone resulting in a safety, running the clock out to win the game.
On August 21, 2009, during the third quarter of a preseason game with the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium (the first Cowboys game in the new facility), Trap*o punted a ball that struck the bottom portion of the high definition "jumbotron" scoreboard. (He had also struck the jumbotron multiple times during pregame warmups). Officials ruled a replay of the down, but Trap*o's punt created an issue of first impression with future kicks and whether raising the scoreboard would be cost prohibitive. The NFL defined a re-kick rule after Trap*o's punt, but it was never enforced until a pre-season game on August 24, 2013, when Chris Jones hit the digital board again.
Trap*o was waived by the *ans during final cuts on September 4.
New York Jets
Trap*o was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets on September 6, 2009, replacing Reggie Hodges as the only punter on the roster. However, the team waived Trap*o just one day later and signed punter Steve Weatherford.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Trap*o was signed to the practice squad of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 10, 2009. He was released by the team on September 14.
Tennessee *ans (second stint)
Trap*o was re-signed to the Tennessee *ans' practice squad on September 23, 2009, after *ans punter Craig Hentrich suffered a calf injury. He was released by the team on November 4.
Denver Broncos
Trap*o signed a future contract with the Denver Broncos on January 5, 2010. On June 15, 2010, Trap*o was cut by the Broncos.
References
External links
- Collegiate statistics at Sports-Reference.com
