Josh Freeman
A quarterback who rocketed to franchise-record heights in Tampa Bay before his career took an unexpected and abrupt turn.
Born 1988 (age 38)·American football player·Birthday: January 13·Millennials
Biography
Josh Freeman's NFL story is one of meteoric rise and sudden silence. Drafted in the first round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009, the Kansas State product was thrust into the starting role as a rookie, tasked with reviving a struggling franchise. For a time, he delivered. In 2010, he orchestrated a remarkable 10-6 season, throwing 25 touchdowns against just 6 interceptions, and seemed poised to become the long-term face of the Buccaneers. He shattered team passing records, offering a glimpse of a powerful arm and cool leadership. Yet, the trajectory didn't hold. Consistency eluded him, and after a series of struggles, he was stunningly released just five games into the 2013 season. His journey afterward became a short-lived tour of the league's periphery, a quiet end for a player who once held the keys to a city's football hopes.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Josh was born in 1988, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Josh Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Josh's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Turned 21
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2018Turned 30
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
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Set the Tampa Bay Buccaneers single-season franchise record for passing yards (4,065) in 2012.
- Threw 25 touchdowns against only 6 interceptions in 2010, leading the Buccaneers to a 10-6 record.
- Selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round (17th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft.
- Became the Buccaneers' starting quarterback as a rookie, starting nine games in the 2009 season.
Did You Know?
He was the first quarterback in Buccaneers history to throw for over 4,000 yards in a season.
Freeman started his final game for Tampa Bay on a Thursday night, was benached the following Monday, and released that Thursday.
He attended the same high school (Grandview High) as former MLB pitcher Jeremy Affeldt.
“I always played the game with a gunslinger's mentality.”
