Jay Barker (born July 20, 1972) is a former professional American football quarterback, and a current Birmingham radio personality.
Football career
Barker attended Hewitt-Trussville High School in Trussville, Alabama, where his football career began. He graduated in 1990.
Barker played college football at the University of Alabama, under head coach Gene Stallings. In the final game of the 1992 season, Barker led the Crimson Tide to a national championship by defeating the #1 Miami Hurricanes, 34–13, in the 1993 Sugar Bowl. In the 1994 season, Barker won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and finished fifth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy.[1] Barker led the Crimson Tide to a 35–2–1 record as their starting quarterback; the official NCAA record book reflects a 27–11 mark due to later forfeiture of games during the 1993 season.
Barker was drafted in the 1995 NFL Draft in the fifth round by the Green Bay Packers. During his NFL career, he also played for the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers.
In 1998, the Toronto Argonauts signed Barker, bringing him to the Canadian Football League.
After three seasons with the Argonauts, Barker left to join the Birmingham Thunderbolts in the XFL.[2] A fan favorite of the Bolts' (generally small) crowds, Barker was the team's second string quarterback and played several games in the middle of the season before suffering a career-ending concussion late. In contrast to his college career, his time in the XFL saw him oversee the beginning of a seven-game losing streak.
Radio career
Barker is currently an analyst for ESPN Radio, and an on-air personality for WJOX in Birmingham. Both he and Al Del Greco, a former Auburn placekicker, host the Opening Drive program on WJOX, along with Tony Kurre.
Personal
From 1995 to 2007 he was married to Amy DiGiovanna. The couple has four kids: Andrew (born in 1999), Braxton (born in 2000), and twins Sarah Ashlee and Harrison (born 10 September 2001).[3][4]
In 2008 Barker married American country musician Sara Evans.[5] With his four children and Evans' three children, her son Avery and two daughters - Olivia and Audrey - he lives in Mountain Brook, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham.[5]
References
External links