Tim Rattay

Timothy F. Rattay (pronounced /Rah-TAY/) is a professional football player currently signed as a quarterback for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted out of Louisiana Tech by the San Francisco 49ers during the 2000 NFL Draft. Rattay was born on March 15, 1977 in Elyria, Ohio.

Rattay's high school career began at Mesa High, in Mesa, AZ. He didn't take snaps as a sophomore or junior at Mesa High before transferring to Phoenix Christian when his father, Jim, became an assistant.

Because he was a backup, Rattay didn't play until his senior year at Phoenix Christian, where he set a school record with 40 touchdown passes in 1994.

Rattay was not scouted by a major college, so he played a year at Scottsdale Community College, where he beat out five quarterbacks ahead of him on the depth chart to earn the starting spot the week of the season opener. He led the nation's junior-college quarterbacks in touchdown passes (28) and yardage (3,526).

Tim Rattay entered the league as the seventh-round pick (212th overall) of the San Francisco 49ers in the 2000 NFL Draft. Rattay was a backup to longtime San Francisco quarterback Jeff Garcia. When Garcia was released from the team, largely due to salary cap constraints, Rattay was given the starting job. On October 18, 2005, Rattay was acquired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 6th round 2006 NFL Draft pick from the San Francisco 49ers. This trade has been criticized by many, including former NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw.

Late in the 2006 season, Rattay stepped in as the starting quarterback for the Buccaneers due to the poor play of Bruce Gradkowski. In the week 15 game against the Chicago Bears, he entered the game with Tampa Bay losing 14-3. Due to his strong performance, Tampa Bay tied the game at 31, but they eventually lost in overtime 34-31. This performance led coach Jon Gruden to name Rattay as the team's third starting quarterback in the 2006 season.

On May 9, 2007, Tim signed as a free agent with the Tennessee Titans. The following month Gruden would name Jeff Garcia Rattay's successor as the Buccaneers' starting quarterback. On September 1, 2007 the Titans released him. On October 9, 2007, Rattay signed a one year contract with the Arizona Cardinals as a backup to Kurt Warner, following a season-ending collarbone injury to starting quarterback Matt Leinart. Rattay would replace Warner in goal-line situations, where he went 3 for 3 with all 3 being touchdowns.

In September of 2008, there were rumors that the New England Patriots considered signing Rattay after Tom Brady was lost for the entire 2008 season. In the 2000 NFL draft, the Patriots considered drafting Rattay but opted for Brady instead. The Patroits brought Rattay to Foxboro along with Chris Simms, but once they arrived, they were told that the situation had changed and they weren't needed. A month later, Rattay worked out with the Detroit Lions, but never made an offer to him. To date, in 37 games, including 18 starts, Rattay has completed 429-of-711 passes in his career for 4,848 yards with 31 touchdowns and 23 interceptions for a passer rating of 80.4.

A career highlight for Rattay was a victory on a Monday Night Football game in 2003 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Rattay is the only 7th-round or undrafted quarterback since 1995 (out of a pool of 30 such players) to pass for more than 400 yards in a game. Tom Brady, who also accomplished this feat, was a 6th round pick in 2000.

Rattay broke the San Francisco team record for the most completions in a game, breaking Joe Montana's record of 37.

Rattay is the only quarterback in NFL history who has thrown 3 consecutive passes all going for touchdowns, as he did for the 2007 Arizona Carindals.

He was responsible for the biggest comeback in Buccaneers history when he led the team to four touchdowns, throwing for 3 in the 4th quarter and sending the game against the NFC Champions Chicago Bears into overtime.

Tim Rattay also plays golf, and has placed in several golf tournaments over the years. He also wrestles occasionally.