Anthony Richardson (American football)
A quarterback of rare physical dimensions, his explosive athleticism made him a top NFL draft pick despite limited college starts.
Born 2002 (age 24)·American football player·Birthday: May 22·Generation Z
Biography
Anthony Richardson's football story is one of breathtaking physical potential meeting rapid, high-stakes ascent. At the University of Florida, he was a human highlight reel, known for cannon-like throws and running with the power of a linebacker, a combination that left scouts in awe. His college tenure was marked by flashes of brilliance interspersed with the growing pains of a raw talent, starting only 13 games. Yet, the sheer scale of his gifts—arm strength, size, and speed in one package—proved irresistible to the NFL. The Indianapolis Colts selected him fourth overall in the 2023 draft, betting on his ceiling as a franchise-changing player. His rookie season was truncated by injury, a reminder of the volatility that comes with such a dynamic style, but it offered glimpses of the transformative playmaker he aims to become.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Anthony was born in 2002, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Anthony Was Born
The biggest hits of 2002
#1 Movie
Spider-Man
Best Picture
Chicago
#1 TV Show
Friends
Anthony's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
2002Born
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2007Started school
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2015Became a teenager
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2018Could drive
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2020Could vote
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2023Turned 21
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 24 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected 4th overall by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2023 NFL Draft, one of the highest-drafted quarterbacks that year.
- Set a combine record for a quarterback with a 40.5-inch vertical jump at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.
- Scored 26 total touchdowns (12 passing, 9 rushing, 5 receiving) during his final season at the University of Florida.
Did You Know?
He wore number 15 at Florida to honor former Gator and NFL quarterback Tim Tebow.
In high school, he also played basketball and was a state champion in the shot put.
He shares a birthday (May 22) with fellow NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
“I'm a quarterback who can run, not a runner who plays quarterback.”
