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Devin Funchess
Devin Funchess
Devin Funchess
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Devin Akeem Funchess (born May 21, 1994) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines as a tight end, and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions. After his football career, he played professional basketball for the Caribbean Storm Islands of the Baloncesto Profesional Colombiano.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Devin Akeem Funchess[1] attended Harrison High School in Farmington Hills, where he was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and track.[2] As a junior in 2010, he caught 34 passes for 709 yards and five touchdowns, leading his team to the Michigan Division II state championship.[3][4] As a senior in 2011, he was named to the Detroit News Blue Chip List after tallying 21 receptions for 452 yards and five touchdowns on offense, while also recording three sacks, one forced fumble, one interception, and three pass break-ups on defense.[5] In track & field, Funchess competed as a long jumper, recording a personal-best leap of 5.53 meters (18 ft, 1.5 in) at the 2011 Oakland County Championships, where he placed 25th.[6]

Considered a four-star recruit by ESPN.com, Funchess was listed as the fifth-ranked tight end in the nation in 2012.[7]

College recruiting information
Name Hometown School Height Weight Commit date
Devin Funchess
TE 		Farmington Hills, MI Harrison HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Apr 22, 2011 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 4/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 4/5 stars   ESPN: 4/5 stars   
Overall recruit ranking:   Scout: 8 (TE)    Rivals: 14 (TE)    247Sports: 10 (TE)    ESPN: 5 (TE)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2012 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 27, 2014.

College career

[edit]

Funchess committed to the University of Michigan in 2011, becoming one of the top prospects in Michigan's 2012 recruiting class.[8]

2012 season

[edit]
Funchess playing for Michigan in 2012.

Funchess saw extensive playing time as a freshman for the 2012 Michigan football team.[9] After Brandon Moore sustained a knee injury, Funchess became the team's leading tight end and was described in October 2012 as "one of Michigan's biggest early-season revelations."[10] In the second game of the season, and Funchess' first as a starter, he had 106 receiving yards and a touchdown against Air Force.[11][12][13][14] He became the first Michigan tight end with 100 receiving yards in a game in 15 years; Jerame Tuman accomplished the feat in 1997.[15] Funchess was named the Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Week for his performance against Air Force.[16][17] Against UMass the following week, he caught two passes for 34 yards and scored his second career touchdown at Michigan.[18][19]

Funchess scored his third touchdown pass on October 13, 2012, in a 45–0 victory over Illinois.[20] On November 10, 2012, he scored in the fourth quarter on an eight-yard pass from Devin Gardner to give Michigan a 28–24 lead over Northwestern.[21] In the final home game of the season, a 42–17 victory over Iowa, Funchess scored his fifth touchdown on a 29-yard pass from Gardner.[22]

Funchess was a 2012 All-Big Ten honorable mention selection by the media.[23][24] He was also named to the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America Team.[25]

2013 season

[edit]

As a sophomore for the 2013 Michigan team, Funchess became the Wolverines' second leading receiver behind Jeremy Gallon. On October 5, 2013, he caught seven passes for 151 yards against Minnesota. He had a 46-yard reception against the Golden Gophers, and his total of 151 yards was also a career-high.[26][27] After the Minnesota game, head coach Brady Hoke said: "We wanted to get him out on the perimeter a little bit, mismatch in a lot of ways. He runs awful well and is a big target. We're just trying to really take advantage of his skill set."[28] In an overtime loss to Penn State on October 12, 2013, Funchess caught four passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns, including a career-long 59-yard touchdown reception.[29] Through the first six games of the season, Funchess had 19 catches for 408 yards and four touchdowns. His average of 21.5 yards per catch was the highest in the Big Ten Conference.[30]

After the 2013 season, Funchess was named as Big Ten's Tight End of the year.[31]

2014 season

[edit]

On August 30, 2014, Funchess played his first game as a wide receiver for the Wolverines. He changed his number from No. 87 to No. 1; he is the first receiver to wear No. 1 since Braylon Edwards in 2004.[32] Funchess tallied seven receptions for 95 yards and a career-high three touchdowns in the season opener against Appalachian State.[33] On December 9, 2014, Funchess announced that he would be forgoing his remaining eligibility and declared for the 2015 NFL draft.[34]

College statistics

[edit]
Receiving
Year Team Games Rec Yds Avg TDs
2012 Michigan 13 15 234 15.6 5
2013 Michigan 13 49 748 15.3 6
2014 Michigan 11 62 733 11.8 4
Total 37 126 1,715 13.6 15

Professional football career

[edit]
Funchess and tight end Ed Dickson playing for the Panthers in 2015.
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4+1⁄4 in
(1.94 m)		 232 lb
(105 kg)		 33+1⁄2 in
(0.85 m)		 9+3⁄4 in
(0.25 m)		 4.70 s 1.66 s 2.74 s 4.48 s 6.98 s 38+1⁄2 in
(0.98 m)		 10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)		 17 reps
All values from NFL Combine and Pro Day[35]

Carolina Panthers

[edit]

2015 season

[edit]

Funchess was selected in the second round with the 41st overall pick by the Carolina Panthers in the 2015 NFL draft.[36] On August 14, 2015, he made his preseason debut for the Panthers against the Buffalo Bills. Funchess's first catch was a 34-yarder where he tightroped the sideline on a pass from Derek Anderson. Funchess had one more catch, and finished the night with 53 yards total. When the Panthers' primary receiver, Kelvin Benjamin, suffered a torn ACL in training camp, Carolina looked for Funchess to help fill that spot and emerge as a consistent target for Cam Newton.[37]

Funchess had a breakout game during Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers; Funchess made three catches for 71 yards and a key touchdown to help the Panthers earn their first 8–0 start in franchise history.[38] The following week, Funchess caught both of his targets for a total of 41 yards during the Panthers' 27–10 victory over the Tennessee Titans.[39] The following week, Funchess made his first NFL start against the Washington Redskins and responded with four receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown during the Panthers' 44–16 victory.[40] During the Panthers' 41–38 victory over the New Orleans Saints, Funchess recorded a key 13-yard touchdown reception.[41] During the Panthers' 38–35 victory over the New York Giants to move them to 14–0, Funchess recorded a key touchdown reception against cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.[42] Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the regular season finale, Funchess set career bests with seven receptions and 120 yards. The yardage is the second-most by Panthers' rookie (David Gettis had 125 yards against the San Francisco 49ers on October 24, 2010).[43] Funchess finished the regular season with 31 catches for 473 yards, the fifth most in franchise history for a rookie receiver; his five touchdown catches were second most for a rookie.[44]

On February 7, 2016, Funchess was part of the Panthers team that played in Super Bowl 50. The Panthers fell to the Denver Broncos by a score of 24–10.[45] In the Super Bowl, Funchess had two catches for 40 yards.[46]

2016 season

[edit]

Funchess played in 15 games in 2016, with seven starts, recording 23 catches for 371 yards and four touchdowns.[47] He was placed on injured reserve on December 29, 2016, after suffering a knee injury against the Falcons in Week 16.[48]

2017 season

[edit]

Funchess was part of a Panthers' wide receiver unit that contained Kelvin Benjamin, Russell Shephard, Curtis Samuel, Kaelin Clay, and Damiere Byrd.[49] In Week 4, against the New England Patriots, he had seven receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns in the 33–30 victory.[50] In Week 12, against the New York Jets, he had a season-high 108 receiving yards on seven receptions.[51] Overall, on the season, he had 63 receptions for 840 yards and eight touchdowns.[52] The Panthers made the playoffs and faced off against the Saints in the Wild Card Round.[53] In the 31–26 loss, he had four receptions for 89 yards.[54]

2018 season

[edit]

In a Week 3 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, Funchess scored his first receiving touchdown of the season.[55] In Week 6 and Week 8, he scored a touchdown in consecutive games against the Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles.[56][57] He finished the 2018 season with 44 receptions for 549 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.[58]

Indianapolis Colts

[edit]

On March 14, 2019, Funchess signed a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts.[59] He was placed on injured reserve with a broken collarbone on September 10, 2019.[60] He was designated for return from injured reserve on November 13, 2019, and began practicing with the team again.[61] However, he was not activated by the end of the three-week practice window on December 4, 2019, and remained on injured reserve for the rest of the season.

Green Bay Packers

[edit]

2020 season

[edit]

On April 2, 2020, Funchess signed with the Packers[62] The deal was reportedly for one year with a $1.2 million base salary for the 2020 season and a $1 million signing bonus, and could be worth up to $6.25 million with bonuses and incentives.[63]

On July 28, 2020, Funchess opted out of the 2020 NFL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[64] He explained his decision in an Instagram post, saying that some of his closest family members had been exposed to COVID-19 and that he was opting out for their safety, as well as his own.[65]

2021 season

[edit]

On March 9, 2021, the NFL Network announced that Funchess had agreed to take a $750,000 pay cut to remain with the salary cap-strapped Packers.[66] In August 2021, Funchess created racial controversy by using an anti-Asian racial slur "chinky/chinkie" and made a “slant-eyed” gesture during a press conference.[67] Funchess later posted an apology on Twitter.[68]

On August 25, the Packers placed Funchess on injured reserve due to a lingering hamstring injury, and released him two days later.[69]

San Francisco 49ers

[edit]

On November 24, 2021, Funchess was signed to the practice squad of the San Francisco 49ers.[70] He was released on December 6.[71]

Detroit Lions

[edit]

On June 14, 2022, Funchess signed with the Detroit Lions as a tight end.[72] He was released on August 30.[73]

Professional basketball career

[edit]

On December 20, 2022, Funchess said that as his football career options were dwindling, he was switching his focus and training to basketball so that he can fulfill his childhood dream of playing in the NBA.[74]

On November 3, 2023, Funchess made his professional basketball debut, recording ten points and seven rebounds for Statham Academy during a 2023 AsiaBasket Dasmariñas Championship game held in Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines.[75]

On April 22, 2024, Funchess signed his first professional basketball contract with the Caribbean Storm[76] of the Basketball League of Colombia.[77]

NFL career statistics

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Games Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yards Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2015 CAR 16 5 31 473 15.3 52 5 1 1
2016 CAR 15 7 23 371 16.1 48 4 0 0
2017 CAR 16 16 63 840 13.3 44 8 0 0
2018 CAR 14 12 44 549 12.5 27 4 0 0
2019 IND 1 1 3 32 10.7 16 0 0 0
2020 GB 0 0 Did not play due to COVID-19 opt-out
Career 62 41 164 2,265 13.8 52 21 1 1

Postseason

[edit]
Year Team Games Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yards Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2015 CAR 3 3 5 73 14.6 24 1 0 0
2017 CAR 1 1 4 79 19.8 24 0 0 0
2020 GB 0 0 Did not play due to Covid-19 opt-out
Career 4 4 9 152 16.9 24 1 0 0

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Devin Funchess

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Devin Akeem Funchess (born May 21, 1994) is an American former professional football player who primarily played as a in the (). Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 225 pounds, Funchess demonstrated athletic versatility during his college career at the , where he competed in both football and . Selected by the in the second round (41st overall) of the , he appeared in 58 games over five seasons with the Panthers, , , , , and , recording 164 receptions for 2,265 yards and 21 touchdowns. Funchess's NFL career was marked by physical play and occasional production as a deep threat, though hampered by injuries and inconsistent play. Following his release from the Lions in 2020, he transitioned to professional , signing with the G League's affiliate before becoming the first ex-NFL player to secure a professional basketball contract abroad with a team in in May 2024.

Early life and high school

Family and upbringing

Devin Funchess was born on May 21, 1994, in , , and grew up in a low-income neighborhood characterized by , financial instability, and repeated evictions—his family was forced to move three times during his childhood. Basic staples like Spam and Vienna sausages formed a significant part of their diet amid these hardships, while his mother's issues further strained household resources. Despite these challenges, Funchess was primarily raised by his grandfather, James Hester, who emphasized moral values such as respect and integrity, ensured his consistent attendance at football practices, and served as a stabilizing paternal figure. Funchess shared a particularly close bond with his grandparents; his grandmother, Leanir Hester, was renowned in the family for her baking specialties, including and , while James Hester—affectionately called "Peezy"—taught him cooking techniques using fresh garden vegetables like squash, , and collard greens. He has an older sister, Courtney Funchess, who later pursued a career in and communications. The family maintained strong ties through regular weekend barbecues that drew 10 to 30 relatives, fostering a and influencing Funchess's own interest in cooking and grilling. Originally from , the extended family provided additional support, including guidance from cousin , a longtime NFL who advised on discipline and avoiding trouble. As a young child, Funchess made three specific promises to his grandfather James Hester, committing to win a , play professional , and become a —promises that later shaped reflections on his career transitions amid family health concerns during the .

High school athletic achievements

Funchess attended Harrison High School in Farmington Hills, Michigan, where he primarily distinguished himself in football as a wide receiver. During his junior season in 2010, he amassed 34 receptions for 709 yards at an average of 20.85 yards per catch, scoring five touchdowns over 12 games, while the team achieved a perfect 14-0 record en route to the Michigan Division II state championship. His contributions earned him All-State honors, All-County recognition, selection to the Oakland County Dream Team, and first-team all-league accolades. In addition to football, Funchess competed in as a forward during his early high school years and participated in track, making him a three-sport , though he shifted focus to football after his sophomore year to pursue greater specialization. Specific statistical achievements in and track remain less documented, with his football prowess ultimately driving his recruitment to the collegiate level.

College football career

Recruitment and transition to football

Funchess attended Harrison High School in , participating in football, , and track. During his senior football season in 2011, he amassed 55 receptions for 1,161 yards and 10 touchdowns, securing All-State, All-County, Oakland County Dream Team, and first-team All-League accolades while leading Harrison to a perfect 14-0 record and the Division 2 state semifinals. Regarded as a top tight end prospect in the 2012 recruiting class, Funchess attracted scholarship offers from programs including and Michigan State before committing to the on April 22, 2011. His decision to sign with kept him in-state, where coaches envisioned him contributing as a versatile athlete capable of playing or . Despite his multi-sport prowess and personal affinity for —later describing it as his primary passion and noting he "had to pick football" during high school—Funchess prioritized gridiron development for recruitment, forgoing potential pursuits at that stage to capitalize on his football measurables, including his 6-foot-5 frame and athleticism. This shift marked his full commitment to football, aligning with Michigan's emphasis on his receiving skills honed through high school play.

University of Michigan performance

Devin Funchess competed for the from 2012 to 2014, initially lining up primarily as a before shifting to prior to his junior season in 2014. This transition capitalized on his 6-foot-5 frame and athleticism, allowing him to exploit mismatches against defensive backs. As a in 2012, Funchess appeared in 13 games as a , recording 15 receptions for 234 yards and 5 touchdowns, contributing to Michigan's 8-5 record and appearance. In his sophomore year of 2013, he earned Big Ten Kwalick-Clark of the Year honors and second-team All-Big Ten recognition, amassing 49 receptions for 748 yards and 6 touchdowns, plus 34 rushing yards on 6 carries, while helping the team to a 7-6 finish. Key performances included 7 receptions for 151 yards against on October 5, 2013. Funchess's junior season in 2014 marked his full-time move to , where he led the team with 62 receptions for 733 yards and 4 touchdowns in 11 games, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors despite a limiting his participation. He notched a career-high three touchdowns on 7 catches for 95 yards in the season opener against Appalachian State on , 2014. Following Michigan's 5-7 campaign, Funchess declared for the on December 9, 2014.
YearGamesReceptionsYardsAvgTDRush AttRush Yds
2012131523415.6500
2013134974815.36634
2014116273311.842-11
Career371261,71513.615823

Statistical summary

Devin Funchess played in 37 games across three seasons (2012–2014) at the , primarily as a before transitioning to , amassing 126 receptions for 1,715 yards and 15 receiving touchdowns. He contributed minimally to rushing, with just 4 carries for 28 yards over his career.
YearGamesReceptionsYardsYards/RecTouchdowns
131523415.65
134974815.36
2014116273311.84
Career371261,71513.615
Funchess's season marked his most efficient year, leading Big Ten tight ends in receptions, yards, and touchdowns that year. His touchdown production peaked as a in relative to volume, with 5 scores on modest targets, highlighting early red-zone effectiveness.

Professional football career

Carolina Panthers tenure (2015–2018)

Devin Funchess was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round (41st overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft out of the University of Michigan, where he transitioned from tight end to wide receiver. As a rookie in 2015, Funchess appeared in all 16 regular-season games, recording 31 receptions for 473 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns, primarily serving as a complementary option behind Pro Bowl wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin. The Panthers finished the season with a 15-1 record and advanced to Super Bowl 50, where Funchess contributed minimally in the 24-10 loss to the Denver Broncos, logging 1 reception for 4 yards across the playoff run that included 5 catches for 73 yards and 1 touchdown in three postseason games. His Week 17 performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers marked early career highs with 7 receptions for 120 yards. In 2016, Funchess's production dipped amid inconsistent usage and a late-season knee injury that sidelined him for the final regular-season game and placed him on injured reserve, limiting him to 15 games with 23 receptions for 371 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Panthers missed the after a 6-10 finish, hampered by Cam Newton's rib fractures. Funchess experienced a breakout in 2017, stepping up as the primary wide receiver following the midseason trade of Benjamin to the Buffalo Bills, which elevated his role in an offense featuring rookie Curtis Samuel and tight end Greg Olsen. He played all 16 games, amassing career-best totals of 63 receptions for 840 yards and 8 touchdowns, including standout performances like 7 catches for 70 yards and 2 scores in a Week 5 upset victory over the New England Patriots. His low drop rate of 4.55 percent ranked sixth league-wide, per Pro Football Focus, bolstering his reliability on contested catches. The Panthers reached the playoffs but lost in the Wild Card round to New Orleans, where Funchess had 4 receptions for 79 yards. During the 2018 season, Funchess managed 44 receptions for 549 yards and 4 touchdowns in 14 games, impacted by chronic cramping issues and a back injury that caused him to miss time in . The Panthers finished 7-9 and missed the postseason, after which Funchess became an unrestricted , departing without a new contract offer from Carolina. Over his four seasons with the Panthers, he totaled 201 receptions for 2,233 yards and 21 touchdowns in 61 games.

Indianapolis Colts stint (2019)

Funchess signed a one-year contract worth $10 million with the on March 11, 2019, marking the team's first major free-agent acquisition that offseason. The deal included incentives that could elevate its value to $13 million, positioning him as a projected starter opposite to bolster the receiving corps amid Andrew Luck's retirement uncertainties. In the Colts' 2019 season opener on September 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Funchess recorded three receptions for 32 yards, averaging 10.7 yards per catch, with no touchdowns. These were his only statistical contributions that year, as he suffered a clavicle fracture during or shortly after the game, leading to his placement on injured reserve on September 10. The injury sidelined Funchess for the remainder of the season, limiting him to one game played and effectively ending his Colts tenure without further on-field impact. He became a free agent in March 2020, having failed to meet the physical expectations tied to his size (6'4", 225 pounds) and prior production as a red-zone threat from his Panthers days.

Green Bay Packers period (2020–2021)

Funchess signed a one-year contract with the on April 2, 2020, reportedly valued at $1.2 million in base salary for the 2020 season. The Packers viewed him as a potential big-bodied complement to their receiving corps, given his 6-foot-4 frame and prior production. On July 28, 2020, Funchess opted out of the , citing concerns for his family's health amid the ; he became the only Packers player to do so. This placement on the reserve/opt-out list preserved his contract for 2021, with his 2020 salary tolling to the following year. Funchess did not appear in any games during the 2020 season. Funchess restructured his contract in March 2021, accepting a pay cut to remain with the team. He reported to in July 2021, aiming to secure a roster spot as a depth receiver. On August 7, 2021, during a media session, Funchess used an anti-Asian racial slur and accompanying while imitating an Asian accent, prompting widespread criticism. He issued a public apology later that day via , stating the remark was "not OK" and expressing regret. Packers Brian described the incident as "unacceptable" in a subsequent . The Packers released Funchess on August 27, 2021, prior to the regular season; reports indicated the move involved an injury settlement. He recorded no statistics during his time with Green Bay, appearing in zero regular-season or postseason games.

Later NFL attempts (2022)

Funchess signed a one-year contract worth $1,035,000 with the Detroit Lions on July 28, 2022, aiming to revive his NFL career by transitioning from wide receiver to tight end after not appearing in a regular-season game since 2019. The move came after his release from the Green Bay Packers in 2021, with Funchess competing for a depth role at tight end during training camp, where he received first-team reps on August 15, 2022, amid evaluations of veteran players. He returned to full participation in practices by August 2, 2022, following earlier limitations, but sustained a injury that sidelined him for the Lions' preseason game against the on August 20, 2022. Despite initial promise in camp, including work toward the No. 2 position, the Lions released Funchess on August 29, 2022, as part of final roster cuts, ending his 2022 NFL bid without a regular-season appearance. By December 20, 2022, Funchess publicly indicated diminishing football opportunities, shifting focus to pursuits.

Transition to professional basketball

Motivations and preparation

Funchess, who had played basketball competitively in high school alongside football and track, cited it as his original passion before prioritizing gridiron success at the University of Michigan. As a child, he promised his grandfather, James Hester, that he would win a Super Bowl, play professional basketball, and pursue medicine; having achieved NFL tenure including a Super Bowl appearance with the Packers in 2021, he sought to fulfill the basketball component. By late 2022, following unsuccessful NFL tryouts and a career plateau after 28 receptions across three teams from 2019–2021, Funchess publicly expressed intent to pursue hoops professionally, viewing it as a lifelong dream rather than a mere pivot from football frustrations. Preparation began in earnest after his December 2022 announcement, with Funchess dedicating time to skill refinement including shooting, ball-handling, and conditioning tailored to basketball demands, leveraging his 6-foot-4 frame and athleticism from football. He participated in (TBT) in July 2023 with Team 23, a showcase that allowed competitive play against pros and prospects while building visibility. Ongoing solo and group workouts persisted through 2023, with Funchess affirming in November his focus on NBA viability, including potential G League pathways, and openness to overseas stints for experience. This culminated in May 2024 when he signed a professional contract with the of Australia's National Basketball League, marking him as the first ex-NFL player to secure such a deal, prior to planned U.S. return for Clippers G League tryouts.

Overseas and league debuts (2023–2024)

Funchess made his initial foray into professional overseas in November 2023, joining Statham Academy for the AsiaBasket Dasmariñas Championship in , , . In his debut on November 3, 2023, against the MisOr Mustangs, Statham Academy secured a 117-96 victory, with Funchess contributing 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench. This appearance marked his transition from to competitive in an international tournament format, though Statham Academy operated as a developmental squad rather than a fully professional entity. On April 22, 2024, Funchess signed his first fully professional , a one-year deal with Caribbean Storm Llaneros of the (BPB), Colombia's top league, becoming the first former NFL player to secure such an agreement. He debuted for the team on May 1, 2024, in a 65-55 win over Cimarrones, playing 21 minutes and recording 9 points on 4-of-5 shooting (including 1-of-2 from three-point range), three rebounds, one assist, and three steals, despite three turnovers. This performance highlighted his adaptability as a 6-foot-4 in a league emphasizing perimeter play, though his role remained developmental amid competition from established imports. Funchess expressed intentions to use the stint as a stepping stone toward G League opportunities in the United States.

Controversies

2021 racial slur incident and responses

On August 7, 2021, during a media availability session at the ' training camp, Devin Funchess used the anti-Asian slur "chinky" while attempting to mimic an Asian accent and made a slanted-eye with his fingers to describe a defender's appearance or a play-related observation, prompting immediate criticism for perpetuating racial stereotypes. Funchess issued a public apology via Instagram later that evening, stating, "I would like to apologize for my comments today... It was not ok and will not happen again. I am forever sorry," acknowledging the offensiveness of his words and gesture without excusing them as a misguided attempt at humor. Packers general manager addressed the incident the following day, August 8, 2021, describing Funchess's actions as "very unacceptable" and confirming that the team had spoken with him about the harm caused, particularly amid heightened awareness of anti-Asian hate following the , but opted against further disciplinary measures like release, citing Funchess's remorse and the educational approach taken internally. The episode drew limited broader compared to similar incidents involving higher-profile players, with coverage primarily in sports media focusing on the apology and team response rather than calls for suspension; Funchess, a reserve player returning from , faced no league-wide sanctions from the .

Career statistics and analysis

NFL receiving and scoring records

Funchess amassed 164 receptions for 2,265 yards and 21 receiving touchdowns across 62 regular-season games in the NFL. His scoring output consisted entirely of receiving touchdowns, with no recorded rushing, return, or other touchdowns. Career highs included 63 receptions, 840 receiving yards, and 8 receiving touchdowns, all achieved during the 2017 season with the Carolina Panthers. In single-game performances, Funchess recorded a personal-best 120 receiving yards on January 3, 2016, against the . He reached 2 receiving touchdowns in multiple games, including outings during his Panthers tenure.
YearTeamGamesReceptionsYardsTouchdowns
2015CAR16314735
2016CAR15233714
2017CAR16638408
2018CAR14445494
2019IND13320
Career621642,26521

Comparative performance metrics

Funchess recorded a career yards-per-reception average of 13.8 across 164 receptions for 2,265 yards from 2015 to 2020, surpassing the NFL wide receiver positional average of approximately 12.5 to 13.0 yards during that span. This metric positioned him as an efficient chain-mover, particularly in his 2017 breakout season (13.3 yards per catch on 63 receptions for 840 yards), though it declined to 12.5 in 2018 amid increased targets as Carolina's nominal WR1. His overall catch rate, however, underperformed league norms for wide receivers, which typically hover around 58-62% in the mid-2010s; Funchess managed roughly 55% career-wide, with early-season lows of 39.7% in and improvements to 56.8% in 2017 before dipping again. This subpar rate reflected challenges against man and press coverage, where Reception Perception data showed him below averages in route-running branches, contributing to inconsistent volume despite his 6'4" frame. In contested-catch scenarios, Funchess ranked among the league's better performers, achieving a 48.4% success rate in 2017 (10th among qualifiers) with zero drops on such targets, leveraging his size for red-zone efficiency—yielding a 12.8% touchdown rate on receptions, well above the typical WR benchmark of 6-8%. Pro Football Focus graded his overall receiving performance as underwhelming relative to draft expectations (41st overall pick in 2015), with career-high grades peaking modestly in 2015 before stabilizing at average-to-below levels.
MetricFunchess CareerNFL WR Avg. (2015-2020 est.)
Yards per Reception13.8~12.5-13.0
Catch Rate~55%58-62%
Contested Catch Rate (2017)48.4%~40% (league qualifiers)
TD Rate per Reception12.8%6-8%

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FuncDe00.htm
  2. https://mgoblue.com/sports/football/roster/devin-funchess/1537
  3. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/2977609/devin-funchess
  4. https://www.nfl.com/players/devin-funchess/
  5. https://www.panthers.com/news/devin-funchess-becomes-first-nfl-player-to-sign-professional-basketball-contract
  6. https://www.espn.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/71671/antonio-gates-others-help-devin-funchess-leave-his-past-behind
  7. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-people/article236116808.html
  8. https://www.maxpreps.com/mi/farmington-hills/harrison-hawks/athletes/devin-funchess/football/stats/?careerid=2f80c17bt6eh1
  9. https://247sports.com/player/devin-funchess-9566/
  10. https://www.packers.com/news/five-things-to-know-about-devin-funchess
  11. http://touchthebanner.blogspot.com/2011/04/devin-funchess-wolverine.html
  12. https://247sports.com/college/michigan/Article/te2-devin-funchess-says-why-he-committed-104797035/
  13. https://www.espn.com/colleges/michigan/football/recruiting/story/_/id/6937529
  14. https://www.si.com/college/michigan/football/michigan-wolverines-football-nfl-nba-devin-funchess-big-ten-basketball
  15. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/devin-funchess-1.html
  16. https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2015/story/_/id/12005441/michigan-wolverines-receiver-devin-funchess-enter-nfl-draft
  17. https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/02/21/devin-funchess-nfl-combine-michigan/23791991/
  18. https://mgoblue.com/news/2014/7/7/funchess_gardner_named_to_maxwell_award_watch_list
  19. https://mgoblue.com/news/2014/12/9/Funchess_Forgoes_Senior_Season_Declares_for_NFL_Draft
  20. https://mgoblue.com/news/2013/12/23/This_Week_in_Michigan_Football_Buffalo_Wild_Wings_Bowl
  21. https://www.footballdb.com/players/devin-funchess-funchde01
  22. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2552389-devin-funchess-injury-panthers-wr-placed-on-ir-with-injured-knee
  23. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/car/2016.htm
  24. https://247sports.com/article/carolina-panthers-marty-hurney-devin-funchess-has-just-scratched-the-surface-115625476/
  25. https://www.panthers.com/news/breaking-down-devin-funchess-breakout-game-19504721
  26. https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2018/05/21/2-impressive-stats-for-panthers-wr-devin-funchess-from-2017/
  27. https://www.panthers.com/news/devin-funchess-not-letting-a-long-time-condition-cramp-his-style
  28. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article222023480.html
  29. https://www.espn.com/blog/carolina-panthers/post/_/id/31224/how-much-devin-funchess-will-mean-to-panthers-after-2018-still-unclear
  30. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/16764
  31. https://www.espn.com/blog/indianapolis-colts/post/_/id/24364/indianapolis-colts-2019-free-agent-signings-devin-funchess-gives-colts-a-big-target
  32. https://www.playerprofiler.com/nfl/devin-funchess/
  33. https://www.colts.com/news/free-agent-spotlight-devin-funchess-2020
  34. https://www.packers.com/news/after-taking-care-of-his-own-devin-funchess-ready-to-get-back-to-football
  35. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29554277/packers-wr-devin-funchess-opts-cites-family-health
  36. https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2020/08/06/wr-devin-funchess-ends-up-being-packers-only-player-to-opt-out-of-2020-season/
  37. https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2020/7/28/21345843/packers-devin-funchess-opts-out-of-the-2020-season
  38. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31987143/green-bay-packers-wr-devin-funchess-apologizes-anti-asian-remark
  39. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2759105/2021/08/08/packers-gm-brian-gutekunst-calls-devin-funchess-use-of-racial-slur-unacceptable-camp-takeaways/
  40. https://247sports.com/article/green-bay-packers-cut-wide-receiver-devin-funchess-2021-nfl-season--169750332/
  41. https://fantasydata.com/nfl/devin-funchess-fantasy/16802
  42. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/16764/devin-funchess
  43. https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2022/08/15/detroit-lions-trainig-camp-devin-funchess-kalif-raymond/10329224002/
  44. https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2022/8/2/23288473/detroit-lions-2022-training-camp-day-6-observations-physicality-intensifies
  45. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/2001877/devin-funchess/
  46. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2022/08/29/detroit-lions-2022-roster-cut-tracker/7934738001/
  47. https://lionswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2022/08/04/lions-stock-report-after-the-1st-week-of-training-camp/79721057007/
  48. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/2977609/devin-funchess
  49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vvl0q9np-iM
  50. https://sports.yahoo.com/former-nfl-receiver-devin-funchess-192837019.html
  51. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/former-carolina-panthers-wr-devin-funchess-considering-trying-to-get-to-the-nba-calls-it-a-dream-growing-up/
  52. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/ex-nfl-player-devin-funchess-eyeing-switch-nba-says-playing-pro-basketball-dream-growing-up
  53. https://www.tmz.com/2023/11/04/ex-nfl-star-devin-funchess-still-training-nba/
  54. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/devin-funchess-makes-history-becomes-first-nfl-player-to-sign-professional-basketball-contract/
  55. https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/ex-nfl-pro-devin-funchess-begins-basketball-journey-in-asiabasket/286348
  56. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/basketball/887270/former-nfl-player-devin-funchess-joins-statham-academy-in-asiabasket/story/
  57. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=758888993113884&id=100069783712131&set=a.338730035129784
  58. https://www.si.com/college/michigan/football/devin-funchess-basketball-colombia-caribbean-storm-michigan-football
  59. https://247sports.com/article/michigans-devin-funchess-becomes-first-nfl-player-with-pro-basketball-contract-scores-nine-points-in-debut-231368779/
  60. https://basketball.latinbasket.com/player/Devin-Funchess/705489
  61. https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2024/05/ex-michigan-receiver-makes-transition-to-professional-basketball.html
  62. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/green-bay-packers-wide-receiver-devin-funchess-apologizes-using-anti-n1276302
  63. https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-sports-nfl-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-90d2daf753f4942edcb48e1a51cc0652
  64. https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/08/08/packers-players-apologizes-anti-asian-slur/
  65. https://sports.yahoo.com/green-bay-packers-devin-funchess-apologizes-after-using-racial-slur-press-confence-asian-american-055143520.html
  66. https://madison.com/sports/football/professional/calling-devin-funchess-anti-asian-slur-very-unacceptable-brian-gutekunst-decides-against-cutting-packers-receiver/article_ff8db9c1-9ec1-5090-95e9-40e3c231d328.html
  67. https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/devin-fun-chess-most-yards-in-a-game
  68. https://www.footballguys.com/subscribers/apps/article.php?article=harmon_receptionperception_devinfunchess15
  69. https://www.pff.com/news/pro-2019-free-agency-profile-devin-funchess
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