Emmett Cleary

American football player (born 1990)

American football player

Emmett Cleary

Cleary with the New York Giants in 2016

No. 63, 77
Position:| Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born:|  (1990-04-27) April 27, 1990 (age 35)
Tokyo, Japan
Height:| 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight:| 320 lb (145 kg)
Career information
High school:| Arlington Heights (IL) St. Viator
College:| Boston College
Undrafted:| 2013
Career history

* Indianapolis Colts (2013)*
* Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2013)*
* Oakland Raiders (2014)*
* Cincinnati Bengals (2014)*
* New York Giants (2015)
* Dallas Cowboys (2016)
* Detroit Lions (2017)

* Offseason and/or practice squad member only

Career highlights and awards

* Second-team All-ACC (2012)

Career NFL statistics
| Games played:| 20

|

Games started:| 2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Emmett Joseph Cleary (born April 27, 1990) is an American former professional football offensive tackle of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College, and signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He was also a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, and Detroit Lions.

## Early life

[edit]

Cleary was born in Tokyo, Japan, but moved to the United States where he first learned football. He graduated from St. Viator High School.[1]

As a senior, he was a two-way player at offensive tackle and defensive end. He received honorable-mention All-state, two-time All-East Suburban Catholic Conference, Daily Herald Northwest Suburban All-Area and ESCC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year honors. He was named an Illinois State Scholar and a National Merit finalist.

## College career

[edit]

Cleary accepted a football scholarship from Boston College. As a redshirt freshman, he was a backup at offensive tackle and appeared in 12 games.

As a sophomore, he began the season as a backup until starter Rich Lapham was injured, which contributed to establishing himself the starter at right tackle for the last five games.

As a junior, he started all 12 games at right tackle. As a senior, he switched sides with John Wetzel and was named the starter at left tackle.

## Professional career - Football

[edit]

### Indianapolis Colts

[edit]

Cleary was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts after the 2013 NFL draft on April 30.[2] After competing for a roster spot during training camp, he was waived/injured (undisclosed) on September 5.[3]

### Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[edit]

On October 16, 2013, Cleary was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their practice squad.[4] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 6, 2014.[5] He was released on June 17.[6]

### Oakland Raiders

[edit]

On June 18, 2014, he was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Raiders.[7] He was released on August 24.[8]

### Cincinnati Bengals

[edit]

On September 16, 2014, he was added to the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad.[9]

### New York Giants

[edit]

On January 13, 2015, Cleary signed a reserve/future contract with the New York Giants.[10] He was waived on September 5.[11] On September 6, he was signed to the Giants' practice squad.[12] On November 16, he was elevated to the active roster.[13] On September 6, 2016, he was waived/injured (finger).[14]

### Dallas Cowboys

[edit]

On September 28, 2016, Cleary was signed by the Dallas Cowboys to be the reserve swing tackle and replace an injured Chaz Green.[15] He played only on special teams until Week 16 against the Detroit Lions, where he replaced an injured Tyron Smith at left tackle in the third quarter. He started at left tackle in the season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles in place of an injured Smith.[16]

In 2017, he was passed on the depth chart by Byron Bell during training camp and was waived on September 2.[17]

### Detroit Lions

[edit]

On September 12, 2017, Cleary was signed by the Detroit Lions.[18]

Cleary announced his retirement from the NFL on April 10, 2018.[19] On May 13, 2018, he announced his plans to attend medical school in fall 2018 at USC.[20]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Giants sign OT Emmett Cleary; 5 things you need to know". Retrieved April 2, 2020.
2. ^ Grecco, Matt (April 27, 2013). "2013 NFL Draft: Colts Undrafted Free Agents". Stampede Blue. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
3. ^ Pearce, Matt (September 6, 2013). "NFL Weekly Transaction Tracker: September 6, 2013". fanspeak.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
4. ^ Smith, Scott (October 16, 2013). "WR Dawson Promoted to Active Roster". Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
5. ^ Smith, Scott (January 6, 2014). "Bucs Sign 12 to Reserve/Futures Contracts". Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Archived from the original on April 12, 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
6. ^ Philipse, Sander (June 17, 2014). "Bucs cut Emmet Cleary, Steven Jenkins". Bucs Nation. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
7. ^ "Raiders Claim Emmett Cleary". Oakland Raiders. June 18, 2014. Archived from the original on April 12, 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
8. ^ "Raiders Announce Transactions". Oakland Raiders. August 24, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
9. ^ Marcum, Jason (September 16, 2014). "Bengals sign Kevin Brock; Place Alex Smith on IR; Emmett Cleary to Practice Squad". Cincy Jungle. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
10. ^ Salomone, Dan (January 13, 2015). "Giants sign OT Emmett Cleary; 5 things you need to know". New York Giants. Archived from the original on April 15, 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
11. ^ Eisen, Michael (September 5, 2015). "New York Giants announce 53-man roster". Giants.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
12. ^ Eisen, Michael (September 6, 2015). "Giants sign six players to practice squad". Giants.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
13. ^ Eisen, Michael (November 16, 2015). "Prince aims for Washington return". Giants.com. Archived from the original on November 18, 2015. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
14. ^ Eisen, Michael (September 3, 2016). "New York Giants announce 20 roster moves". Giants.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
15. ^ Eatman, Nick. "Cowboys Place Rookie DE on Injured Reserve; Make Room To Sign OT Cleary". DallasCowboys.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
16. ^ Davidson, Drew (December 28, 2015). "Emmett Cleary excited for chance to start in Tyron Smith's place". Star-Telegram. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
17. ^ Phillips, Rob (September 2, 2017). "Cowboys Make 38 Moves, One Trade To Reach 53; Kellen Moore Released". DallasCowboys.com.
18. ^ "Lions sign P Jeff Locke and T Emmett Cleary". DetroitLions.com. September 12, 2017. Archived from the original on June 24, 2018.
19. ^ Alper, Josh (April 10, 2018). "Lions put Emmett Cleary on reserve/retired list". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
20. ^ Smith, Michael David (May 13, 2018). "Emmett Cleary retired from the NFL to become a doctor". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.

## External links

[edit]

* Media related to Emmett Cleary at Wikimedia Commons
* Boston College bio