Quarterback Matt Cassel plays for the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League. Prior to playing professionally, Cassel played college football for the USC Trojans football team in the NCAA.http://www.nfl.com/players/mattcassel/profile?id=CAS541133
On December 8, 2010, Cassel underwent a laparascopic appendectomy procedure, which was described as a less-invasive method to remove his appendix than a standard open procedure.http://espn.go.com/sports/fantasy/blog/_/name/bell_stephania/id/5903862/matt-cassel-undergoes-appendectomy Kansas City Chiefs Coach Todd Haley declined to speculate when Cassel would return to the field after the surgery, only noting that the quarterback missed practice. Up to that point in the 2010 season, Cassel had started in each game for the Chiefs as they tallied an 8-4 record to lead the AFC West Division.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/09/AR2010120905036.html
NFL Career
After playing a backup role to Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at the University of Southern California, Cassel was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2005, where he played behind Tom Brady. Cassel began his rookie year as the third-string quarterback, seeing limited action in two games. He would throw two touchdowns and one interception on the season. Through 2007, Cassel would continue his backup roll, getting into games only when the Patriots had a large lead.http://www.patriots.com/team/index.cfm?ac=playerbio&bio=30943
Cassel took over the starting spot for the Patriots during the 2008 NFL season when Pro Bowl quarterback and three-time Super Bowl winner Brady suffered a season-ending injury on September 7, 2008.http://www.rotowire.com/roto_to_gnews.htm?ID=149313&sport=nfl
As first reported by Adam Schefter, Cassel was traded from the New England Patriots to the Kansas City Chiefs on February 28, 2009.http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/02/28/chiefs-complete-trade-for-cassel/ Weeks earlier, the Patriots placed their franchise tag on Cassel.http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3887262 According to sources close to ESPN, Cassel accepted the franchise tag, which meant he was guaranteed at least a $14.65 million contract in 2009 instead of becoming a free agent.http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3891669
Cassel Traded to the Chiefs
Following a season in which he led the New England Patriots to an 11-5 season after starting quarterback Tom Brady was injured, the trade of Matt Cassel from the Patriots to the Kansas City Chiefs was announced. As the Patriots used their franchise tag on Cassel, the team was not forced to agree to a new deal with the quarterback, which, according to the NFL Network, made the trade easier to complete.
References
Fast Facts
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Born
May 17, 1982
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Birthplace
Northridge, California
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Height
6'4"
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Weight
230 lbs
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Jersey number
16
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College
University of Southern California
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NFL Draft
Pick 230 in 2005 (New England Patriots)
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Fact:
Also selected in the 2004 MLB Draft by the Oakland Athletics
