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Terrell Fletcher
Terrell Fletcher
from Wikipedia

Terrell Antoine Fletcher (born September 14, 1973) is an American former professional football player who spent his entire eight-year career as a running back for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison[1] where he played football as running back for the Wisconsin Badgers, the 1994 Rose Bowl champions. In 1995, Fletcher was named MVP in the Hall of Fame Outback Bowl. With the Chargers, he rushed for 1,871 yards and gained 1,943 yards receiving,[2] leading all Charger running backs in receptions for five consecutive seasons, from 1996 to 2000.[3] He is the older brother of former Indianapolis Colts tight end Bryan Fletcher.[4] On November 4, 2001, he caught Drew Brees's first completion.

Key Information

Fletcher graduated from Hazelwood East High School in Hazelwood, Missouri in 1991. He is a first-generation college graduate. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a bachelor's degree in English Literature (1998). In 2003, Fletcher graduated with a master's degree in Religious Studies, from Southern California Seminary. He is also has a Doctorate of Transformational Leadership from Bakke Graduate University (2018).

Fletcher is currently an ordained Bishop and Senior Pastor for City of Hope International Church in San Diego, California [5] and married to Kavalya Fletcher (formerly Kavalya Young).

College statistics

[edit]
  • 1991: 446 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on 109 carries. 17 catches for 125 yards and 1 touchdown.[6]
  • 1992: 496 rushing yards on 96 carries. 5 catches for 75 yards and 1 touchdown.
  • 1993: 996 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns on 165 carries. 13 catches for 131 yards and 1 touchdown.
  • 1994: 1,476 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 244 carries. 23 catches for 180 yards and 1 touchdown.

Professional career

[edit]

San Diego Chargers

[edit]

Terrell Fletcher was drafted with the 19th pick in the second round (51st pick overall) of the 1995 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers.[7][8] In 1996, Fletcher was a restricted free agent for the Chargers, and was re-signed.[9] In 2000, Fletcher led the Chargers in rushing, rushing for 384 yards on 116 carries.[3] He was the last player until Mike Tolbert in 2010 to lead the Chargers in rushing yards that wasn't LaDainian Tomlinson. To make room for newly acquired wide receiver Tim Dwight, whom the Chargers acquired via trade from the Atlanta Falcons on draft day 2001, the Chargers released Fletcher, who agreed to re-sign at a later date. On April 23, 2001, he signed a 4-year $6.3 million contract to return to San Diego.[10] In 2002, Fletcher was limited to just 10 games, missing time with a sprained ankle he suffered in an early October loss to the Denver Broncos. On February 27, 2003, the Chargers released Fletcher, saving $1.64 million in cap space.[11] At the same time of releasing Fletcher, they released a slew of other veterans including safety Rodney Harrison and wide receiver Curtis Conway, among others.[12] Fletcher was known for his receiving skills out of the backfield, leading all Charger running backs in receptions for five consecutive seasons, from 1996 to 2000. This included finishing second on the team in receptions with 61 in 1996.[3] At the time of his release, Fletcher was 13th in Chargers history in rushing, with 1,871 yards, and 9th in Chargers history with 259 receptions.[13]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
1995 SD 16 0 26 140 5.4 46 1 3 26 8.7 15 0 2 0
1996 SD 16 0 77 282 3.7 19 0 61 476 7.8 41 2 1 0
1997 SD 13 1 51 161 3.2 13 0 39 292 7.5 25 0 4 3
1998 SD 12 5 153 543 3.5 21 5 30 188 6.3 22 0 1 1
1999 SD 15 2 48 126 2.6 16 0 45 360 8.0 25 0 1 0
2000 SD 16 6 116 384 3.3 21 3 48 355 7.4 26 1 2 2
2001 SD 13 0 29 207 3.7 26 0 23 184 8.0 27 0 1 1
2002 SD 10 0 26 128 4.9 15 1 10 62 6.2 13 0 0 0
Career 111 14 526 1,871 3.6 46 10 259 1,943 7.5 41 3 12 7

Personal life

[edit]

From March 2012 until June 2023, he was the Senior Pastor of the City of Hope International Church in San Diego, California.[5] In 2007, Fletcher married actress and businesswoman Sheree Zampino. Through this marriage he was the stepfather to Zampino’s son with Will Smith. The couple divorced in 2015 after eight years of marriage. Contrary to popular belief, the pair does not have a daughter.[14] In 2018, Fletcher married Kavalya Young. The couple have three children, a daughter Kya and fraternal twins, son Kingston and daughter Kory.

  • Personal Website: www.terrellfletcher.com
  • Speaking Website: www.meetterrell.com
  • Church Website: www.thecityonline.org
City of Hope International Church, San Diego, CA

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Terrell Fletcher is an American former professional football player, motivational speaker, faith leader, author, and community advocate. Born on September 14, 1973, in , , he overcame childhood and a small stature to excel in high school wrestling and football before earning an to the , where he majored in English literature. As a for the , Fletcher helped lead the team to a victory in the and set a bowl game record with 241 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the 1995 Hall of Fame Bowl, earning MVP honors. Selected by the in the second round (51st overall) of the , Fletcher spent his entire eight-season professional career with the team as a , appearing in 111 games and accumulating 1,871 rushing yards on 526 carries with 10 touchdowns. Known for his versatility and reliability, he also contributed as a and served as a player representative for the NFL Players Association during his tenure. After retiring from football in 2002, Fletcher transitioned into ministry and leadership, founding the City of Hope International Church in in 2003, which grew to serve over 2,000 members under his leadership as senior pastor and ordained bishop. Fletcher holds a in English literature from the , a in , and a doctorate in from Bakke Graduate , earned in 2018. He has served as the team chaplain for the Chargers, engaged in over two decades of pastoral and community service, and participated in international missions and youth programs. Currently, he works as an at the Blanchard , coaches executives, athletes, and entertainers, and delivers motivational speeches worldwide on topics like , resilience, and personal growth; he is also an and . Married with three children, Fletcher continues to advocate for community development and faith-based initiatives in .

Early life and education

Early life

Terrell Antoine Fletcher was born on September 14, 1973, in St. Louis, Missouri. Fletcher was raised in St. Louis, where he grew up facing significant personal challenges that shaped his early development. As a child, he battled a severe asthmatic condition and an undersized physical frame, which presented obstacles in his formative years amid the urban environment of the city. These health struggles contributed to his resilience, influencing his approach to overcoming adversity before his involvement in organized sports. While details on his immediate family background remain limited in public records, Fletcher's early life in St. Louis provided the foundation for his later pursuits, eventually leading him toward athletic opportunities in high school.

High school career

Terrell Fletcher attended Hazelwood East High School in Hazelwood, Missouri, where he excelled in wrestling and as a running back on the football team. During his high school career, Fletcher emerged as a standout talent, earning recognition as one of the school's greats for his rushing ability and overall athletic prowess. His performances drew attention from programs, culminating in a full offer from the University of Wisconsin; he was the first person in his family to attend . Fletcher graduated from Hazelwood East in 1991, marking the end of his prep career and the beginning of his collegiate journey at .

College career

Terrell Fletcher enrolled at the in 1991 on a full , following a standout high school career that drew attention from multiple programs. He participated fully in the program over four seasons, from 1991 to 1994, serving primarily as a in the team's offensive scheme under head coach . During his sophomore and junior years, Fletcher emerged as a key contributor in the backfield alongside , forming a dynamic duo that powered the Badgers' ground attack. In the season, their efforts were instrumental in securing the program's first title since 1962, culminating in a victory over UCLA in the , Wisconsin's inaugural appearance in the historic game. Fletcher's senior year in 1994 saw him step into a more prominent role amid team challenges, including the suspension of Moss, as the Badgers finished with a winning record and earned a berth in the Hall of Fame Bowl, where Fletcher helped lead a decisive win over to cap the campaign. Fletcher was recognized for his on-field impact by being named team MVP in 1994 and serving as a co-captain during his junior and senior seasons, reflecting his growing influence within the program. Off the field, he maintained a strong academic focus, earning a in English literature from the in 1998 while balancing the demands of collegiate athletics. His commitment to scholarship exemplified the values emphasized by the Badgers program during that era.

Professional football career

1995 NFL Draft

Terrell Fletcher was selected by the with the 51st overall pick in the second round of the . The Chargers acquired the selection from the in exchange for their 1996 first-round pick (21st overall), a trade executed by general manager to strengthen the roster following the team's appearance. Leading into the draft, Fletcher impressed at the with 17 repetitions on the and a 4.41-second time during workouts, metrics that underscored his speed and lower-body explosiveness despite his compact 5-foot-8, 196-pound frame. Scouting reports praised his versatility as a , highlighting his explosive open-field running ability, superb clutch receiving skills out of the backfield, strong blocking in pass protection, short choppy stride that helped evade low tackles, and keen vision for identifying running lanes. These attributes, combined with his college production at —where he rushed for 1,476 yards and 12 touchdowns in 1994 while adding 23 receptions—positioned him as a multifaceted prospect capable of contributing immediately. The Chargers signed Fletcher to his contract shortly after the draft, viewing him as a dynamic addition to provide depth and versatility in the backfield as well as on special teams, where his speed could translate to kick returns. Team officials anticipated his quickness and multi-role potential would enhance an offense seeking to maintain momentum from the prior season's success.

San Diego Chargers career

Terrell Fletcher spent his entire eight-season NFL career with the San Diego Chargers, from 1995 to 2002, primarily serving as a versatile running back who contributed in rushing, receiving, and special teams roles. Drafted in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft, he made an immediate impact as a rookie, appearing in all 16 regular-season games with 26 carries for 140 yards and one touchdown, while also handling punt and kick returns. The Chargers, who finished 9-7 and clinched a Wild Card playoff berth as AFC West runners-up, advanced to the postseason where Fletcher contributed in their Wild Card loss to the Indianapolis Colts, rushing three times for 23 yards and catching two passes for 42 yards. Fletcher's role expanded in subsequent seasons, showcasing his value as a third-down and change-of-pace back amid a Chargers offense that struggled with consistency. In 1996, he set a career high with 61 receptions for 476 yards and two touchdowns, ranking second on the team in catches overall and leading all running backs. His best rushing year came in 1998, when he carried 153 times for 543 yards and five touchdowns despite playing only 12 games due to injuries. Injuries limited his availability in multiple seasons, including missing three games in 1997 and four in 1998, but he remained a reliable special teams contributor, such as with seven kickoff returns for 112 yards in 1999. The Chargers did not return to the during this period, finishing no higher than third in the after 1995. In 2000, Fletcher led the team in rushing with 116 carries for 384 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding 48 receptions for 355 yards, marking the last time a non- back held that rushing title until 2010. His receiving prowess was a constant, as he amassed 259 career catches for 1,943 yards—figures that highlighted his role in pass protection and screen plays. When rookie arrived in 2001, Fletcher transitioned to a utility backup, complementing the star by handling third-down duties and providing veteran guidance in the backfield during their shared 2001 and 2002 seasons. He appeared in 10 games in 2002 before the Chargers released him at season's end, prompting his retirement.

Career statistics

College statistics

Terrell Fletcher amassed 3,109 rushing yards on 568 carries with 23 rushing touchdowns, along with 474 receiving yards on 55 receptions for 4 receiving touchdowns, during his four seasons at the University of Wisconsin from 1991 to 1994. He also contributed 390 kick return yards on 18 returns, primarily in his final two years. These figures highlight his development as a versatile back, with notable Big Ten rankings in yards per carry and total rushing output in 1993 and 1994. The following table details his year-by-year statistics:
YearGamesRushing (Carries/Yards/TDs)Yards per CarryReceiving (Receptions/Yards/TDs)Kick Returns (Returns/Yards)Big Ten Rankings
199110109/446/44.117/125/10/0None
1992896/496/05.25/75/10/0#6 YPC
199311158/932/95.911/102/13/76#5 Yards, #2 YPC, #4 Rush TDs
199411205/1,235/106.022/172/115/314#5 Yards, #3 YPC, #6 Rush TDs
Total40568/3,109/235.555/474/418/390-
Fletcher's 1993 season was particularly impactful in leading to a Rose Bowl appearance and victory in 1994, while both 1993 and 1994 seasons featured notable Big Ten rankings in rushing efficiency and volume. In the 1995 Hall of Fame Bowl following the 1994 season, he set a record with 241 rushing yards and two touchdowns, earning MVP honors.

NFL statistics

Terrell Fletcher played eight seasons with the from 1995 to 2002, demonstrating versatility as a , receiver, and occasional . His career totals include 526 rushing attempts for 1,871 yards and 10 touchdowns, 259 receptions for 1,943 yards and 3 touchdowns, 16 kickoff returns for 281 yards, and 3 punt returns for 12 yards, contributing to 13 total touchdowns worth 78 points.

Rushing and Receiving Statistics

YearTeamRush AttRush YdsRush AvgRush TDRecRec YdsRec AvgRec TD
1995SD261405.413268.70
1996SD772823.70614767.82
1997SD511613.20392927.50
1998SD1535433.55301886.30
1999SD481262.60453608.00
2000SD1163843.33483557.41
2001SD291073.70231848.00
2002SD261284.9110626.20
CareerSD5261,8713.6102591,9437.53
Fletcher's peak rushing performance came in 1998 with 543 yards and 5 touchdowns, while he led the Chargers in rushing yards in 2000 with 384. His receiving role was prominent in 1996, when he recorded 61 catches for 476 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Special Teams Returns and Scoring

YearTeamKR AttKR YdsPR AttPR YdsTotal TDPoints
1995SD46531216
1996SD0000212
1997SD000000
1998SD37100530
1999SD71120000
2000SD0000424
2001SD1110000
2002SD1220016
CareerSD162813121378
Returns were limited, primarily in his rookie year for punts and sporadically for kickoffs, underscoring his primary contributions on offense. All scoring derived from rushing and receiving touchdowns, with no return scores.

Post-football career

Ministry and faith leadership

After retiring from the following the 2002 season, Terrell Fletcher pursued a calling in ministry, building on his development during his playing career. While still active in his final two seasons, he began earning a in from Seminary, completing it post-retirement to prepare for pastoral leadership. In the early 2000s, Fletcher served as youth pastor at Faith Chapel Church of God in Christ in San Diego, gaining foundational experience in faith guidance for younger members. In 2003, he founded City of Hope International Church (COHI), a non-denominational congregation in San Diego that assumed the Faith Chapel facility in 2011 and expanded its community-focused mission. He served as senior pastor from 2012 until June 2023, growing the membership to over 2,000 and establishing multiple ministries that served thousands of San Diegans annually through outreach efforts. Fletcher's leadership extended to broader faith initiatives, including serving as chaplain for the and participating in international missions and youth service programs over six years. Over 19 years in faith and non-profit service in , he raised significant funds for underserved communities and advocated for faith-driven causes, such as social reform and community advisory boards. His work emphasized transformation and purpose, aligning with his in from Bakke Graduate University, earned in 2018.

Speaking, authorship, and education

Terrell Fletcher has established himself as a motivational speaker, drawing on his experiences as a former NFL player to address themes of personal significance, leadership development, and navigating life after athletics. His presentations emphasize maximizing professional potential and fostering community impact, often tailored for audiences seeking to align purpose with action. He has engaged with high-profile clients, including the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), where he served as a former player representative and Chargers chaplain, delivering talks to athletes and executives on resilience and post-career transitions. Additional engagements include speaking to business owners, entertainers, and corporate groups, leveraging his background to inspire actionable growth. As an author, Fletcher explores personal transformation and self-discovery in his book The Book of You: Discover God's Plan and Transform Your Future (2016). The work chronicles his own journey from athletic success to redefining purpose, encouraging readers to confront past challenges, embrace the present, and pursue a meaningful future through intentional steps. Themes center on personal growth, highlighting how individuals can uncover their inherent value and apply it to daily life, blending motivational insights with practical guidance. Fletcher's academic contributions include serving as an at , where he taught courses informed by his expertise in leadership and . In 2023, he was appointed of the Blanchard Institute, a nonprofit of The Ken Blanchard Companies focused on providing free leadership training to youth aged 14 to 18 through programs like Student Self Leadership®. In this role, he integrates his speaking skills into educational initiatives, expanding global access to resources that build leadership competencies and support young people's professional journeys.

Personal life

Fletcher is married and has three children: Kya, Kory, and Kingston. He resides in , where he has become a fixture in the local faith and business communities.

References

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