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 | Profession:
NFL Tight End/Detroit Lions
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PRO: Signed by the Lions March 3, 2008. In 2007, Gaines played in 15 games for the Buffalo Bills and set career-highs with 14 starts, 25 receptions and 215 yards, in addition to two touchdowns. Originally selected in the seventh round (232nd overall) in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers, Gaines was the first tight end ever drafted from Central Florida University.
2008:
• Started and posted two receptions for 11 yards at Atlanta (9/7).
• Caught a career high six receptions for 64 yards a Chicago (11/2).
• Recorded first touchdown of the season on a two-yard reception vs. Tennessee (11/27).
2007:
Signed to the Buffalo Bills September 10. Played in 15 games and set career-highs with 14 starts, 25 receptions and 215 yards.
• Had a reception in all 15 games played.
• Recorded his first reception with the Bills at Pittsburgh (9/16) for 14 yards.
• Tallied his first touchdown catch as a Bill vs. the New York Jets (9/30) in the fourth quarter. He also matched a career-high with four receptions.
• Opened scoring with a three-yard touchdown reception vs. the New York Giants (12/23).
2006:
• Appeared in 16 games for the Carolina Panthers with a career-high nine starts.
• Garnered 146 receiving yards on a career-high 15 catches.
• Helped open blocking lanes to help establish a team-record 242 yards on 43 attempts and equal a team mark with 13 rushing first downs vs. St. Louis (11/19).
• Caught three passes for 26 yards and helped offense gain 463 total yards, the second-highest mark in team history vs. the New York Giants (12/10).
• Corralled a season-high and personal best four passes for 54 yards vs. Pittsburgh (12/17).
• Blocking helped offense rush a team record 52 times for 183 yards, the second-highest total of the season at Atlanta (12/24). Offense equaled a team record by gaining 13 rushing first downs. Contributions helped offense maintain possession for 41:17, the second-highest mark in team history.
2005: Registered 12 catches for 155 yards and recorded a then career-high two touchdowns on the season.
• Scored first NFL touchdown on a 19-yard reception to extend the Panthers lead to 16-7 vs. Green Bay (10/3).
• Posted a career-long 38-yard catch vs. Minnesota (10/30).
• Scored game-winning touchdown on a three-yard, third-down catch with 2:16 remaining in 13-9 victory at Buffalo (11/27).
• Contributions at Atlanta (1/1/06) helped establish team record with 13 rushing first downs and 229 yards rushing, including 165 rushing yards by DeShaun Foster, in victory that secured playoff berth.
• Aided running game that accumulated 223 yards rushing on 45 attempts and maintained possession for 42:25 in the NFC Wild Card at New York Giants (1/8/06). Total included 151 yards by Foster. 223 yards matched the second-highest total in team history.
2004: Played in 15 games (six starts) and was inactive for one contest.
• One of four rookie draft choices to start a game for the Panthers, joining Chris Gamble, Keary Colbert and Travelle Wharton.
• Started as part of a two-tight end set vs. Green Bay (9/13).
• Notched first NFL reception (12 yards) at Denver (10/10).
COLLEGE
• Played in all 12 games in 2002 and recorded three starts. Finished the year with 11 catches for 191 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 17.4 yards per reception.
• In 2002 he played in 11 games (one start) and tallied 11 receptions for 115 yards and one touchdown averaging 10.5 yards per catch with a long of 24 and caught at least one pass in seven games.
PERSONAL
• Graduated from Tallahassee's Florida High School in 1999 and played six positions, including backup quarterback.
• Finished his high school career with 56 receptions, 1,715 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns.
• Earned first-team All-State recognition as a junior and senior.
• Opened Registered 20 receptions for 535 yards and nine touchdowns in addition to 110 tackles on defense as a senior.
• Opened Rated the No. 1 tight end in Florida.
• First player from his school to participate in the Florida-Georgia High School All-Star Game.
• Lettered in basketball for four years.
• Graduated with a degree in Liberal Arts.
• Wife: Onieka.
• Is a gospel music artist and started his own gospel group called the Kingdom Builders.
• Appeared on an album with R&B artist Brenda White.
