Terrelle Pryor
A phenomenal high school athlete who forged an unconventional NFL career, transitioning from a controversial college quarterback to a professional wide receiver.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American football player·Birthday: June 20·Millennials
Biography
Terrelle Pryor's story is one of spectacular potential and relentless adaptation. Hailing from Jeannette, Pennsylvania, he was a national sensation, a dual-threat quarterback so dominant in high school that he drew comparisons to a young Michael Vick. His choice to attend Ohio State University led to storied on-field success, including two Big Ten titles and Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl MVP honors. However, his college career ended in a memorabilia-for-tattoos scandal that resulted in NCAA sanctions and his departure from the program. Drafted by the Oakland Raiders in a supplemental draft, he struggled to find consistency as an NFL quarterback. Undeterred, Pryor reinvented himself, switching to wide receiver. His athleticism translated, and in 2016 with the Cleveland Browns, he became the first player in over 50 years to record over 1000 receiving yards for a team after previously starting at quarterback for them. His journey reflects the volatile nature of football stardom and the sheer will required to carve out a new path when the original plan dissolves.
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.
Terrelle was born in 1989, 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 Terrelle Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Terrelle's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
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
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Named the Most Valuable Player of both the 2010 Rose Bowl and the 2011 Sugar Bowl while at Ohio State.
- Became the first Ohio State quarterback to both rush and pass for over 1000 yards in multiple seasons.
- As a receiver for the 2016 Cleveland Browns, he recorded 1,007 receiving yards on 77 catches.
- Set an NFL record for the longest run by a quarterback with a 93-yard touchdown dash for the Raiders in 2013.
Did You Know?
He led his high school basketball team to a state championship, scoring 23 points in the title game.
Pryor was so heavily recruited that he announced his college decision live on ESPN in a special titled 'Terrelle Pryor: The Decision,' years before LeBron James' famous special.
He briefly played in the NFL as a quarterback, wide receiver, and also attempted to convert to tight end.
In his first career NFL start at quarterback, he threw two touchdown passes and ran for another.
“I'm a competitor. I'm going to compete at anything I do.”
