David Kircus

David Kircus (born February 19, 1980) is a former gridiron football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft after playing college football at Grand Valley State University.[1]

David Kircus
No. 11, 87
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1980-02-19) February 19, 1980
Mount Clemens, Michigan, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:192 lb (87 kg)
Career information
High school:Imlay City (MI)
College:Grand Valley State
NFL Draft:2003 / Round: 6 / Pick: 175
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • UFL champion (2009)
  • NCAA Division 2 national champion (2002)
  • 2× Division II All-American (2001-2002)
  • 2× First-team All-GLIAC (2001–2002)
  • GLIAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year (2002)
  • All-time All-division NCAA TD reception leader in a single season (35) and career (80)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:15
Receiving yards:308
Receiving TDs:1
Player stats at NFL.com

Kircus has also been a member of the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Montreal Alouettes, Las Vegas Locomotives, and Omaha Nighthawks.

Early years

Kircus attended Imlay City High School in Imlay City, Michigan. He received All-Macomb Area Conference honors as a sophomore, junior and senior. He was the Detroit News All-State performer as a junior and senior and the three-time team captain. Kircus rushed for a combined 1,827 yards and scored 38 touchdowns as a junior and senior. He also caught 55 passes for 1,201 yards and 19 scores. He lettered in four sports in high school. Kircus was so focused on his athletic career that his mother often came into his Subway job after closing and helped him perform his closing duties[2]

College career

Kircus attended Grand Valley State University, where he was a member of the 2002 NCAA Division II Football Championship team. During his senior season in 2002, Kircus set a college record with 35 touchdown receptions in a single season. Kircus finished his collegiate career with an NCAA record 80 career touchdown receptions. He was twice named all-conference in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and was twice named a Division II All-American.

Following his senior season, Kircus participated in the 2003 Hula Bowl, where he earned Most Valuable Player of the game as well as Offensive MVP scoring 2 touchdowns and over 100 yards receiving.

Professional career

Kircus was selected in the 2003 NFL Draft in the sixth round by the Detroit Lions.[3] Kircus was a fan and hometown favorite. He played for the Lions during the 2003 and 2004 seasons, and training camp for the 2005 season. In 2004, Kircus caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Lions quarterback Joey Harrington.[4] He spent the 2005 regular season out of the NFL.

Kircus spent the 2006 with the Denver Broncos, where he recorded 9 receptions for 187 yards, and also returned 6 punts for 86 yards. He was active in all 16 games that season. He did not appear in a game during the 2007 NFL season after being released by the Broncos during training camp.

Kircus signed with the Miami Dolphins for the 2008 NFL season, but was released during training camp.[5]

In 2009 Kircus signed with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League,[6] where he was the team's leading receiver. The Locomotives went on to win the 2009 UFL Championship Game.

Kircus signed with the Omaha Nighthawks for the 2010 UFL season.[7] However, on September 18, 2010, he was released by the team[8] following an arrest on misdemeanor charges outside a gas station in Rockford, Michigan.[9] Kircus' misdemeanor charge was reduced due to an investigation proving he acted out of instinct on his September arrest that resulted in his release from the Nighthawks.

Personal life

Nicknamed "Circus Kircus" by Grand Valley Lanthorn sports editor Michael Kohon for his acrobatic catches, he is the son of Anthony and Elaine Kircus. He grew up in Imlay City, The Gateway to the Thumb of Michigan.

After being cut by the Lions in 2005, Kircus was employed as a sandwich artist at a Subway in Howell, Michigan. The store, owned by a friend, allowed Kircus to remain in the Metro Detroit area while still pursuing his football career.[10]

In May 2007, Kircus was involved in an early morning altercation with a man in Centennial, Colorado.[11] Kircus, who claimed self-defense, was allowed to remain with the Broncos after taking a polygraph test.[12] Originally charged with felony assault,[13] Kircus instead pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and was sentenced to 2 years probation.[14] His release from the Broncos was unrelated to the incident according to head coach Mike Shanahan.[14] Kircus filed for bankruptcy protection in 2010 as a result of continued compensation claims by the victim.[15][16]

On September 15, 2010, Kircus was arrested at a gas station in Rockford, Michigan. He was charged with obstructing a police officer and driving with a suspended license.[17]

References
  1. Reens, Nate (September 15, 2010). "Former Grand Valley State, Detroit Lions wide receiver David Kircus in trouble with law again". The Grand Rapids Press. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  2. "Drew And Mike – December 7, 2020 – The Drew and Mike Show". Retrieved 2020-12-09.
  3. "2003 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  4. "Lions vs. Cowboys - Box Score - October 31, 2004 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  5. "David Kircus latest news and rumors". 4 December 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-12-04. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  6. Silver, Steve (6 August 2009). "UFL Las Vegas signs 19 players - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper". Lasvegassun.com. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  7. "Ex-Grand Valley State All-American David Kircus preps for second season in UFL". Mlive.com. 23 August 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  8. "Ex-Grand Valley State receiver David Kircus cut by UFL's Omaha Nighthawks". Mlive.com. 19 September 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  9. "Former Grand Valley State, Detroit Lions wide receiver David Kircus in trouble with law again". Mlive.com. 16 September 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  10. Williamson, Bill (16 August 2006). "Kircus a breadwinner". Denver Post.
  11. Klis, Mike (21 May 2007). "Probe eyeing Broncos' Kircus in alleged assault". Denver Post.
  12. "Kircus passes lie-detector test to stay with Broncos". ESPN.com. 29 May 2007. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  13. Klis, Mike (22 May 2007). "Broncos' Kircus hit with assault charge". Denver Post.
  14. "Ex-Bronco Kircus serving probation for assault". ESPN.com. 9 February 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  15. "Former Grand Valley State and Lions receiver David Kircus files for bankruptcy". Mlive.com. 24 July 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  16. Florio, Mike (24 July 2010). "David Kircus files for bankruptcy, victim seeks damages". Profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  17. "Kircus arrested again". Woodtv.com. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
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