History of Sammy Watkins in Timeline
Sammy Watkins is an American football wide receiver. He played college football at Clemson, where he was a two-time All-American. In 2014, the Buffalo Bills selected him fourth overall in the NFL Draft. Watkins has also played for the Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Green Bay Packers. He won Super Bowl LVII with the Chiefs in 2023.
June 14, 1993: Birth of Sammy Watkins
Sammy Watkins was born on June 14, 1993.
November 2010: Commitment to Clemson University
In November 2010, Sammy Watkins committed to play college football at Clemson University.
2011: Freshman Season at Clemson
During his freshman season at Clemson in 2011, Sammy Watkins made a significant impact, earning first-team All-American honors and breaking several school records.
2011: High School Career and U.S. Army All-American Bowl
In 2011, Sammy Watkins finished his high school football career at South Fort Myers High School as Lee County's all-time leading receiver and participated in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
2011: Track and Field Achievements
In 2011, Sammy Watkins won the AA state title in the 200 meters and achieved a personal best of 10.45 seconds in the 100 meters.
2011: Top Recruit Status
Sammy Watkins was a highly touted five-star recruit in the 2011 recruiting class, ranked among the best wide receiver prospects in the nation.
May 2012: Arrest and Suspension
In May 2012, Sammy Watkins was arrested for possession of marijuana, Vyvanse, and Adderall. He was suspended for the first two games of the 2012-2013 season.
2012: Sophomore Season at Clemson
In 2012, Sammy Watkins played his sophomore season at Clemson, recording 57 receptions for 708 yards and three touchdowns.
2013: Pre-trial Intervention Completion
In 2013, Sammy Watkins completed pre-trial intervention and had the drug possession charge expunged from his record.
January 2014: Enters 2014 NFL Draft
Sammy Watkins declared for the 2014 NFL Draft in January 2014, forgoing his senior season at Clemson.
May 28, 2014: Signs Rookie Contract
On May 28, 2014, Sammy Watkins officially signed his rookie contract with the Buffalo Bills.
July 11, 2014: Key to the City of Fort Myers
On July 11, 2014, Sammy Watkins was awarded the Key to the City of Fort Myers, Florida, where he grew up.
2014: Junior Season and Orange Bowl MVP
In 2014, Sammy Watkins had a successful junior season, culminating in an Orange Bowl MVP performance where he set records for receptions and receiving yards.
2014: NFL Draft
In 2014, Sammy Watkins was selected fourth overall by the Buffalo Bills in the NFL Draft.
2014: NFL Draft with Brother and Family Details
In 2014, both Sammy Watkins and his half-brother, Jaylen Watkins, were selected in the NFL draft. Sammy has three daughters and is also a cousin of wide receiver Austin Watkins Jr.
2014: Drafted by Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills drafted Sammy Watkins with the fourth overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
October 27, 2015: Social Media Controversy
On October 27, 2015, Sammy Watkins was involved in a social media controversy after criticizing fans who left negative comments about his injury.
2015: Trade Details
The Cleveland Browns traded the pick used to select Watkins to the Bills in exchange for multiple future draft picks, including a first-rounder in 2015.
2015: Frustration with Targets
During the 2015 season, Sammy Watkins expressed frustration with the lack of targets he was receiving in the Bills' offense.
May 16, 2016: Foot Injury
Sammy Watkins suffered a broken foot on May 16, 2016.
September 30, 2016: Placed on Injured Reserve
Sammy Watkins was placed on injured reserve on September 30, 2016.
November 26, 2016: Activated from Injured Reserve
Sammy Watkins was activated from injured reserve on November 26, 2016.
2016: Strong Finish to the Season
Despite a slow start in 2016, Sammy Watkins finished the season strong with impressive receiving stats in the latter half.
May 2, 2017: Bills Decline Fifth-Year Option
On May 2, 2017, the Buffalo Bills declined the fifth-year option on Sammy Watkins' rookie contract.
August 11, 2017: Trade to Los Angeles Rams
On August 11, 2017, Sammy Watkins was traded to the Los Angeles Rams along with a 2018 sixth-round draft pick in exchange for E.J. Gaines and a 2018 second-round draft pick.
September 2017: Flat Earth Belief
In September 2017, it was reported that Sammy Watkins believes the Earth is flat.
March 15, 2018: Signing with Kansas City Chiefs
On March 15, 2018, Sammy Watkins signed a three-year, $48 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.
2018: 2018 Season with the Rams
During the 2018 season, Watkins played for the Los Angeles Rams after being traded. He scored his first touchdown of the season against the San Francisco 49ers, caught a season-long reception against the New York Giants and made a total of 39 receptions for 593 yards and eight touchdowns.
September 8, 2019: Career-High Performance Against Jaguars
On September 8, 2019, Sammy Watkins achieved a career-high performance with nine receptions for 198 yards and three touchdowns against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
May 2020: Mental Health and Addiction Discussion
In May 2020, Sammy Watkins openly discussed his struggles with mental health and addiction, as well as his spiritual beliefs.
2020: 2020 Season Performance and Interception
During the 2020 season, Sammy Watkins threw an interception on a trick play against the Atlanta Falcons, and finished the season with 37 receptions for 421 yards and two touchdowns.
April 2, 2021: Signing with Baltimore Ravens
On April 2, 2021, Sammy Watkins signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens.
April 14, 2022: Signing with Green Bay Packers
On April 14, 2022, Sammy Watkins signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Green Bay Packers.
September 24, 2022: Placed on Injured Reserve
Sammy Watkins was placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury on September 24, 2022.
December 19, 2022: Released by Packers
On December 19, 2022, Sammy Watkins was released by the Green Bay Packers.
December 20, 2022: Claimed by Ravens
On December 20, 2022, Sammy Watkins was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Ravens.