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'''Jay Barker''' (born [[July 20]], [[1972]]) is a former professional football quarterback, and currently a [[Birmingham]] radio personality.
'''Jay Barker''' (born [[July 20]], [[1972]]) is a former professional football quarterback, and currently a [[Birmingham]] radio personality.


Barker's football career began at [[Hewitt-Trussville High School]] in [[Trussville]]. He graduated in [[1990]].
Barker's football career began at [[Hewitt-Trussville High School]] in [[Trussville]] where he played both quarterback and defensive back. He graduated in [[1990]].


Barker played college football at the [[University of Alabama]], where he led the Crimson Tide to a national championship in [[1992]] and was the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner in [[1994.]] During his years at Alabama, he built the best winning percentage (.934 percent) and won the Crimson Tide their 12th National Championship. His record at quarterback was 25 wins, 2 losses, and 1 tie.
Barker played college football at the [[Alabama Crimson Tide|University of Alabama]], where he led the Crimson Tide to 35 wins, 2 losses and 1 tie (the best record of any quarterback at Alabama). On [[January 1]], [[1993]] the Crimson Tide beat the top-ranked Miami Hurricanes in the Sugar Bowl to win a National Championship. Barker won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award in [[1994]] and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy that year. His father, [[Jerome Barker]], died the following year.


In the professional ranks, Barker played with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, the New England Patriots of the National Football League, and the [[Birmingham Thunderbolts]] of the XFL, which gave him the opportunity to return to his hometown.
Out of college, Barker was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 5th round of the NFL draft, but was released during training camp. He spent time on the rosters of the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers, but never played in a regular season game. He signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League for three seasons beginning in [[1998]] and appeared in 38 games before missing most of the [[2000]] season with injuries. As a CFL quarterback he amassed 3,433 yards on 269 of 472 passing with 11 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. He was released in [[2001]] and returned to [[Birmingham]] to play for the XFL's [[Birmingham Thunderbolts]]. He began the Bolts' single season as a backup to [[Casey Weldon]], stepping in during the 5th game against the San Francisco Demons on [[March 3]], [[2001]]. He passed for the team's sole touchdown late in the 4th quarter of a 39-10 loss. He earned his first start on [[March 17]] at Las Vegas, but failed to score in the 34-12 loss. He suffered a concussion during a sack at Chicago on [[March 25]], ending his playing career.


He is currently an analyst on ESPN Radio and an on-air personality at [[WJOX]] Radio in Birmingham, Alabama as co-host of the ''Opening Drive'' program with former NFL placekicker [[Al Del Greco]] and veteran disc jockey [[Tony Kurre]].
In August [[2001]] Barker made his radio debut as co-host of "[[The Winning Edge]]" on [[WYDE-AM]]. Nine months later he resigned and moved to [[WJOX-AM]] (now [[WJOX-FM]]), joining [[Matt Coulter]] on "[[The Opening Drive]]" morning show. He currently co-hosts the show with former [[Auburn Tigers|Auburn]] and NFL placekicker [[Al Del Greco]] and veteran deejay [[Tony Kurre]]. He is also involved in business ventures through [[FaithWorks]] which owns and operates two "Moe's Southwest Grill" franchises at the [[Vestavia Hills City Centre]] and in the Kohl's-Sam's shopping center in [[Trussville]] and a HomeVestors real estate franchise in [[Birmingham]].


Throughout his playing and broadcasting careers, Barker has been noted for his [[Christian]] faith. [http://bama.ua.edu/~bamafca/barker.shtml]
Barker married to his high school sweetheart, Amy DiGiovanna, in [[1995]] and had three children with her after adopting a boy. The couple divorced in [[2007]] and he is currently engaged to country singer [[Sara Evans]].


==References==
==References==
*Jay Barker. (2007, June 27). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:39, July 5, 2007 [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jay_Barker&oldid=141064936]  
* Jay Barker. (2007, June 27). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:39, July 5, 2007 [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jay_Barker&oldid=141064936]
* Ralph, Dan (January 8, 2001) "Barker bolts Argos for XFL." ''CBC News''
* Nicholson, Gilbert (April 30, 2002) "Jay Barker leaves WYDE, likely for WJOX." ''Birmingham Business Journal''
* "[http://www.birminghamchristian.com/pdfs/jay_barker.pdf Jay Barker, The Family Man]" (June 2002) ''Birmingham Christian Family''
* Stroud, Laurie (November 2003) "[http://www.birminghamchristian.com/pdfs/BCF1103center.pdf Auburn vs. Alabama: Stan White & Jay Barker]" ''Birmingham Christian Family''
* "Jay Barker group opening Moe's Southwest Grill." (November 18, 2003) ''Birmingham Business Journal''
* "Country Star Sara Evans Engaged." (March 24, 2008) ''People'' magazine.


[[Category:Living people|Barker, Jay]]
==External links==
[[Category:1972 births|Barker, Jay]]
*
[[Category:Hewitt-Trussville graduates|Barker, Jay]]
 
[[Category:Alabama alumni|Barker, Jay]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Barker, Jay}}
[[Category:Football players|Barker, Jay]]
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:Radio personalities|Barker, Jay]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Hewitt-Trussville graduates]]
[[Category:Alabama alumni]]
[[Category:Football players]]
[[Category:Radio personalities]


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Revision as of 11:37, 25 March 2008

Jay Barker (born July 20, 1972) is a former professional football quarterback, and currently a Birmingham radio personality.

Barker's football career began at Hewitt-Trussville High School in Trussville where he played both quarterback and defensive back. He graduated in 1990.

Barker played college football at the University of Alabama, where he led the Crimson Tide to 35 wins, 2 losses and 1 tie (the best record of any quarterback at Alabama). On January 1, 1993 the Crimson Tide beat the top-ranked Miami Hurricanes in the Sugar Bowl to win a National Championship. Barker won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award in 1994 and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy that year. His father, Jerome Barker, died the following year.

Out of college, Barker was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 5th round of the NFL draft, but was released during training camp. He spent time on the rosters of the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers, but never played in a regular season game. He signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League for three seasons beginning in 1998 and appeared in 38 games before missing most of the 2000 season with injuries. As a CFL quarterback he amassed 3,433 yards on 269 of 472 passing with 11 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. He was released in 2001 and returned to Birmingham to play for the XFL's Birmingham Thunderbolts. He began the Bolts' single season as a backup to Casey Weldon, stepping in during the 5th game against the San Francisco Demons on March 3, 2001. He passed for the team's sole touchdown late in the 4th quarter of a 39-10 loss. He earned his first start on March 17 at Las Vegas, but failed to score in the 34-12 loss. He suffered a concussion during a sack at Chicago on March 25, ending his playing career.

In August 2001 Barker made his radio debut as co-host of "The Winning Edge" on WYDE-AM. Nine months later he resigned and moved to WJOX-AM (now WJOX-FM), joining Matt Coulter on "The Opening Drive" morning show. He currently co-hosts the show with former Auburn and NFL placekicker Al Del Greco and veteran deejay Tony Kurre. He is also involved in business ventures through FaithWorks which owns and operates two "Moe's Southwest Grill" franchises at the Vestavia Hills City Centre and in the Kohl's-Sam's shopping center in Trussville and a HomeVestors real estate franchise in Birmingham.

Barker married to his high school sweetheart, Amy DiGiovanna, in 1995 and had three children with her after adopting a boy. The couple divorced in 2007 and he is currently engaged to country singer Sara Evans.

References

  • Jay Barker. (2007, June 27). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:39, July 5, 2007 [1]
  • Ralph, Dan (January 8, 2001) "Barker bolts Argos for XFL." CBC News
  • Nicholson, Gilbert (April 30, 2002) "Jay Barker leaves WYDE, likely for WJOX." Birmingham Business Journal
  • "Jay Barker, The Family Man" (June 2002) Birmingham Christian Family
  • Stroud, Laurie (November 2003) "Auburn vs. Alabama: Stan White & Jay Barker" Birmingham Christian Family
  • "Jay Barker group opening Moe's Southwest Grill." (November 18, 2003) Birmingham Business Journal
  • "Country Star Sara Evans Engaged." (March 24, 2008) People magazine.

External links

[[Category:Radio personalities]

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