Joshua Dobbs Bio
Robert Joshua Dobbs, nicknamed “the Passtronaut”, is an American professional football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. Dobbs has been a member of nine NFL teams during his career, including as the starter for the Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, and San Francisco 49ers.
Early Life and Background
Joshua Dobbs was born on January 26, 1995, in Alpharetta, Georgia. He is the son of Stephanie and Robert Dobbs. His mother retired from United Parcel Service as a region manager in corporate human resources, while his father retired as a senior vice president for Wells Fargo. Dobbs has alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss, which began during his transition from elementary to junior high school. Dobbs started playing football at the age of five. He attended Wesleyan School and later Alpharetta High School. As a senior, he played for the Alpharetta Raiders football team, throwing for 3,625 yards with 29 touchdowns. His impressive performance earned him the Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Trophy, awarded to the top African-American high school athlete in the nation. He was rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and a four-star recruit by Scout.com. Initially, Dobbs committed to Arizona State University to play college football but later changed his commitment to the University of Tennessee in February 2013.
Path to American Football
At the University of Tennessee, Dobbs began his college football career in 2013 as a true freshman. He played in five games, starting four, after the starting quarterback suffered an injury. In his first career start against the Missouri Tigers, he completed 26-of-42 passes for 240 yards. Over his freshman season, he completed 72-of-121 passes for 695 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions while also rushing for 189 yards and a touchdown. In the following years, Dobbs continued to develop as a quarterback. He became the starter in November 2014 and had a breakout performance against South Carolina, throwing for 301 yards and rushing for 166 yards with three touchdowns. He led Tennessee to their first bowl game since 2010 and was named the MVP of the 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl. By the end of his college career, he had established himself as a top quarterback, leading the Volunteers to a 9–4 record in both 2015 and 2016. He majored in aerospace engineering and was recognized for his academic achievements, earning the 2017 Torchbearer Award for his accomplishments in the community and academics.
Joshua Dobbs Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Joshua Dobbs was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. He signed a four-year contract with the team and spent his rookie season as a backup behind Ben Roethlisberger. Dobbs made his NFL debut in the 2018 season against the Atlanta Falcons and completed a pass in his first game. He finished the 2018 season with 43 passing yards and an interception in five games. In September 2019, he was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft.
Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Dobbs’ breakthrough came during the 2022 season when he was signed by the Tennessee Titans off the practice squad of the Detroit Lions. He made his first career start in Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys, completing 20-of-39 passes for 232 yards and his first career touchdown pass. He continued to show promise, leading the Titans to a competitive finish against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18. In 2023, Dobbs was traded to the Arizona Cardinals, where he entered the season as the starting quarterback. He led the Cardinals to their first win of the season against the Dallas Cowboys, showcasing his skills and earning recognition for his performance. After a brief stint with the Minnesota Vikings, where he entered the game as a backup and threw for three touchdowns, Dobbs became a notable figure in the league.
Notable Works and Milestones
Joshua Dobbs is known for his unique nickname, “the Passtronaut,” which reflects his background in aerospace engineering. He has been recognized for his achievements both on and off the field, including his advocacy for awareness about alopecia and his involvement in community service through the ASTROrdinary Dobbs Foundation.
Joshua Dobbs Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Joshua Dobbs has received several nominations, including the President’s Award in 2016, which honors athletes who demonstrate dedication and perseverance.
Joshua Dobbs Awards Won
Joshua Dobbs has won notable awards, including the President’s Award in 2016 and being named Second-team All-SEC in the same year.
Joshua Dobbs Family
Joshua Dobbs is the son of Robert and Stephanie Dobbs. He has a cousin, Parker Washington, who is a wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and another cousin, Tyler Tolbert, who is a professional baseball player for the Kansas City Royals.
Personal Life
Joshua Dobbs is a Christian and has publicly shared that the most important day in his life was when he was baptized during high school. He is actively involved in advocating for awareness about alopecia, a condition that affects him personally. He has also appeared in a Progressive Insurance ad campaign featuring backup quarterbacks, highlighting his journey in the NFL.
