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| Ty Detmer | |
|---|---|
| Name | Ty Detmer |
| Birth date | 27 November 1967 |
| Birth place | San Marcos, Texas |
| Alma mater | Brigham Young University |
| Occupation | American football quarterback, coach, broadcaster |
| Awards | * Heisman Trophy (1990) * Maxwell Award (1990) * Davey O'Brien Award (1990) |
Ty Detmer is a former American football quarterback, coach, and broadcaster who gained prominence as a collegiate player at Brigham Young University and later as a longtime NFL backup and occasional starter. He won major collegiate awards while leading a prolific passing offense and later held coaching positions at collegiate and professional levels, alongside stints in sports media. Detmer's career intersects with notable programs, franchises, coaches, and awards in college football and the National Football League.
Born in San Marcos, Texas, Detmer grew up in a family involved in athletics and attended Granite Bay High School in Granite Bay, California. At Granite Bay he starred under high school programs that competed against teams from the Sac-Joaquin Section and the CIF Northern Section, attracting attention from recruiters including staff from Brigham Young University and other Pac-12 Conference programs. Detmer's high school success placed him among notable prep quarterbacks who advanced to NCAA Division I FBS programs and national award conversations.
Detmer enrolled at Brigham Young University and became the centerpiece of the Cougars' pass-oriented offense under head coach LaVell Edwards. He played in an offense coordinated at times by coaches linked to the modern passing game and shared the backfield with teammates who entered the NFL Draft. In 1990 Detmer led BYU to a high-scoring season, earning the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, and the Davey O'Brien Award while breaking and setting multiple NCAA passing records. His statistical achievements placed him alongside other prolific college quarterbacks such as Doug Flutie, Troy Aikman, Dan Marino, Steve Young, and Joe Montana in discussions of elite collegiate passers. Detmer’s senior season culminated in bowl game appearances that involved programs from the Western Athletic Conference and opponents with NFL prospects. His collegiate legacy influenced BYU’s recruiting and offensive identity and contributed to debates about quarterback systems and evaluation ahead of the NFL Draft.
Selected in the 1992 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, Detmer began a pro career that spanned multiple franchises including the Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, and Detroit Lions. In Green Bay he joined a roster featuring quarterbacks who later became coaching and broadcasting figures; his time overlapped with organizations led by executives and coaches connected to franchises like the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. Detmer is noted for a 1997 season as a starter with the Philadelphia Eagles, where offensive staffs included future coordinators and position coaches who served with programs such as Arizona State University and University of Illinois. He threw for over 2,000 NFL passing yards in his career and recorded memorable performances against teams like the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. Beyond on-field play, Detmer's role as a veteran backup placed him among career backups such as Steve Bono, Rex Grossman, and Kurt Warner (early career), contributing to quarterback room dynamics in franchises across the National Football League Players Association era.
Following his playing days Detmer moved into coaching and broadcasting. He served on the staff at his alma mater, Brigham Young University, and held position coach roles at programs that engaged with conferences like the Mountain West Conference and Pac-12 Conference. Detmer also worked in the professional ranks as a quarterbacks coach and consultant with teams tied to scouting networks involving the NFL Scouting Combine and collegiate pro days. In media, he provided analysis for regional and national outlets covering the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and NFL Network-adjacent coverage, appearing alongside commentators with backgrounds at networks such as ESPN and Fox Sports.
Detmer is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has discussed faith and family in public appearances. He is married and has children, with family members involved in athletics at the high school and collegiate levels, participating in events governed by organizations like the California Interscholastic Federation and NCAA. Detmer's familial ties have led to public attention when relatives pursued coaching, teaching, or playing roles linked to institutions such as BYU and other regional programs.
Detmer's post-playing career included legal and disciplinary matters that drew media coverage. Investigations and allegations involved interactions with educational institutions and prompted administrative responses by school districts and athletic departments, some of which involved personnel policies and background-check procedures common to employers like public school systems and universities. These matters were reported in outlets that cover local and national sports controversies and prompted commentary from figures in legal and educational communities, including attorneys and district administrators associated with districts in California and other states.
Detmer's legacy rests primarily on his 1990 collegiate season and the awards he received, including the Heisman Trophy, which places him among a lineage of Heisman winners such as Barry Sanders, Tim Tebow, Marcus Allen, and Cam Newton. He remains among the most decorated quarterbacks in Brigham Young University history and is frequently cited in discussions about prolific college passing systems, quarterback development, and the evaluation of NFL Draft prospects from non-Power Five conferences. Detmer's name appears in institutional halls and honor rolls tied to BYU and regional sports halls that celebrate achievements in college football and high school athletics.
Category:1967 births Category:Living people Category:American football quarterbacks Category:BYU Cougars football players Category:Heisman Trophy winners