Anthony Firkser Bio
Anthony Paul Firkser is an American professional football tight end for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Harvard Crimson and signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Firkser has also played for the Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, and Detroit Lions.
Early Life and Background
Anthony Firkser was born on February 19, 1995, in Manalapan Township, New Jersey, to parents Alex and Donna Firkser. He is of Jewish heritage and celebrated his bar mitzvah at Temple Shaari Emeth in Manalapan. Firkser was a multi-sport athlete at Manalapan High School, where he excelled in both basketball and football. In basketball, he played as a point guard, scoring an impressive average of 21.3 points and 7.6 assists per game. He finished his high school basketball career second in school history with 1,362 points and was named the Shore Conference Co-Player of the Year in his senior year. Firkser also represented Team USA at the 2013 Maccabiah Games in Israel, winning a gold medal in basketball.
Firkser began playing football in his sophomore year of high school. During his three-year career, he helped lead the Manalapan football team to a record of 30-6 and three consecutive ‘A’ North Division titles. He set school records in receptions (110), receiving yards (2,118), and touchdown receptions (19). After his senior year, he was named the All-Shore Offensive Player of the Year and earned two-time All-Shore first-team honors.
Path to American Football
After high school, Anthony Firkser was recruited by Harvard University, among other institutions. He chose Harvard for its academic reputation and the opportunity to play both basketball and football. He committed to the Harvard Crimson football team on October 17, 2012. Firkser saw his first collegiate action in 2014 as a sophomore, making 32 catches for 485 yards and four touchdowns, which tied for the team lead. He earned All-Ivy League second-team honors in both 2014 and 2015. In his senior year, Firkser made 45 receptions for 702 yards and seven touchdowns, earning a spot on the All-Ivy League first team. By the end of his college career, he ranked among the top 12 in receptions and top 10 in receiving yards in Harvard’s history, graduating in 2017 with a degree in applied mathematics.
Anthony Firkser Career
Early Career (2017)
Anthony Firkser signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2017. However, he was waived by the Jets shortly after on September 2, 2017. He then joined the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad on November 29, 2017, and signed a reserve/future contract with them in January 2018, but was waived in April 2018.
Breakthrough (2018-2021)
Firkser’s breakthrough came when he signed with the Tennessee Titans on May 14, 2018. He made the Titans’ initial 53-man roster and caught his first NFL reception during a game against the Baltimore Ravens. In his rookie season, he finished with 19 receptions for 225 yards and a touchdown. Firkser’s performance improved in subsequent seasons, culminating in a standout game during the 2020 season where he recorded his first 100-yard receiving game against the Houston Texans. He finished the 2020 season with 39 receptions for 387 yards and a touchdown. Firkser also made history by becoming the first player from Harvard to score a touchdown in an NFL postseason game during the 2019 playoffs.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Anthony Firkser has established himself as a reliable tight end. He has played significant roles in the offenses of the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons, with notable achievements including multiple touchdowns and consistent receptions. In 2021, he finished the season with 34 receptions for 291 yards and two touchdowns.
Anthony Firkser Award Nominations
Anthony Firkser has received several accolades throughout his football career, including being named First-team All-Ivy in 2016 and earning Second-team All-Ivy honors twice in 2014 and 2015.
Anthony Firkser Awards Won
Firkser has not received any major awards in the NFL but has been recognized for his collegiate achievements, including multiple All-Ivy League selections.
Anthony Firkser Family
Anthony Firkser’s family includes his parents, Alex and Donna Firkser. He has an older brother, Josh, who played football at Wagner College.
Personal Life
Firkser’s personal life is relatively private, with limited public information available. He is known to have a strong connection to his family and maintains a focus on his professional football career.
