Rex Grossman Rex Daniel Grossman III ( born August 23 , 1980 ) is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent . Grossman played college football for the University of Florida . He was selected by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft , and has also played professionally for the NFL ' s Houston Texans . As a college quarterback , Grossman led the Florida Gators to the 2000 Southeastern Conference ( SEC ) Championship , the 2001 Sugar Bowl , the 2002 Orange Bowl and the 2003 Outback Bowl . He was a consensus first - team All - American and was the runner - up for the Heisman Trophy in 2001 . Grossman spent most of his first three NFL seasons with the Chicago Bears sidelined with injuries . He completed his first full NFL season in 2006 , leading the Bears to a National Football Conference Championship and a Super Bowl berth . He lost his starting job three weeks into the 2007 season , and primarily served as the team ' s backup quarterback afterward . He spent a year as a back - up quarterback for the Houston Texans in 2009 , before becoming the Washington Redskins ' starting quarterback in the final three games of the 2010 season . Early years . Grossman was born in Bloomington , Indiana in 1980 , the son of Rex Daniel Grossman II and Maureen Grossman . Under the motivation and guidance of his father , he began playing football at an early age in grade school . He originally started his football career as a running back . Despite his success running the ball , his mother asked his coach to convert him to a quarterback while he was in the sixth grade . Grossman attended Bloomington High School South , where he played high school football for the Bloomington South Panthers . In three seasons as the Panthers ' quarterback , he threw for 7518 yards and 97 touchdowns . He threw for 3 , 080 yards and forty - four touchdowns as a senior in 1998 , including a game where he threw six touchdowns . His senior season reached its climax when he led the Panthers to a 35 – 14 victory over the Homestead High School Spartans in the Indiana Class 5A state championship game . Grossman completed seventeen of twenty - six pass attempts for 216 yards and five touchdowns , setting an Indiana record for the most touchdowns thrown in a championship game . Grossman was recognized as the 1998 Indiana Player of the Year by " USA Today " , was ranked among the top fifteen players in the nation by the National Recruiting Advisor , and " Parade " magazine named him to its high school All - America team . He received state - wide honors when he was named Indiana ' s Mr . Football later that year . Bloomington High School South retired his jersey in the summer of 2007 to commemorate his success during the Chicago Bears 2006 season . College career . Grossman accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville , Florida , where he played for coach Steve Spurrier and coach Ron Zook ' s Florida Gators football teams from 1999 to 2002 . After redshirting his freshman year in 1999 , Grossman competed for playing time with returning starter Jesse Palmer and the top high school recruit in the country Brock Berlin , in 2000 . Grossman started his first game as a Florida Gator on October 7 , 2000 against LSU . Grossman had gotten the opportunity to start after completing 13 of 16 pass attempts for 232 yards and two touchdowns against Mississippi State the week before in the Gators ' only SEC conference loss of the season . Grossman solidified his position as Florida ' s starting quarterback during the next two games by throwing for over 500 yards , eight touchdowns and no interceptions in lopsided wins over LSU and Auburn . He led the Gators to the SEC championship and was named Most Valuable Player of the SEC Championship Game . For the season , Grossman completed 61 . 8 percent of his passes for 1 , 866 yards , 21 touchdowns , and only seven interceptions . His passer efficiency rating of 161 . 8 was the third best in NCAA Division I football . Grossman passed for over 300 yards in nine consecutive games during his sophomore season in 2001 . He led the nation in passing efficiency , passing completion percentage and yards per attempt . Grossman was recognized as a consensus first - team All - American , was voted the Associated Press Player of the Year , and came in second in the balloting for the 2001 Heisman Trophy in one of the closest Heisman votes in the history of the award . At the time , his 55 touchdown passes through his sophomore season were the most in NCAA history . On October 6 , 2001 Grossman passed for 464 yards and five touchdowns as No . 2 Florida defeated the No . 18 LSU Tigers 44 - 15 . In a 2006 interview with the " Chicago Tribune " , Grossman cited the victory as his most memorable game as a Gator . He finished second to University of Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch in one of the closest votes in Heisman Trophy history , losing by only 62 votes . He earned accolades as a consensus first - team All - American , the AP National Player - of - the - Year , and finalist for other awards , including the Walter Camp National Player - of - the - Year Award , the Maxwell College Player - of - the - Year Award , and the Davey O ' Brien National Quarterback - of - the - Year Award . He ended his sophomore season with a 56 – 23 victory over the Maryland Terrapins in the 2002 Orange Bowl . As a junior team captain in 2002 , Grossman played in the famed " Slingin ' in the Rain " game against University of Tennessee , where he threw 22 completions in 32 attempts , for three touchdowns en route to a 30 - 13 victory over the Vols . Grossman led the Gators to the 2003 Outback Bowl , where they lost to the Michigan Wolverines 38 – 30 despite his completing 21 of 41 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns . After the season was over , Grossman decided to forgo his final year of college eligibility and declared for the NFL Draft . In his three - season college career , Grossman threw for 9 , 164 yards and seventy - seven touchdowns . He earned a 146 . 77 passer rating , becoming the third most efficient passer in the Southeastern Conference ' s history . He was twice chosen by his teammates as the Gators ' most valuable player , in 2000 and 2001 . In one of a series of articles about the top 100 Gators from the first century of Florida football , " The Gainesville Sun " recognized Grossman as the No . 10 all - time Gator in 2006 . He will be inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a " Gator Great " in spring 2013 . Professional career . Chicago Bears . The Chicago Bears selected Grossman during the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft , and he played for the Bears from to . Under the leadership of coach Dick Jauron , Grossman was sidelined as a rookie in favor of veteran quarterbacks Chris Chandler and Kordell Stewart . Grossman only saw playing time during the later portion of the season after the Bears had been eliminated from playoff contention . His season ended when he was forced to leave the final game with a broken finger . Prior to the start of the 2004 NFL season , the Bears fired Jauron and hired Lovie Smith , who declared Grossman the team ' s starting quarterback . Grossman was criticized when he threw a game - ending interception against the Detroit Lions on opening day . Criticism of his durability intensified when he damaged his knee ligaments while scrambling for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings . The injury forced Grossman to spend the remainder of the season recuperating . Grossman missed most of the 2005 season after breaking his ankle in a preseason game . On December 18 , 2005 , Grossman returned to the field , leading the Bears to a 16 – 3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons . In the following game against the Green Bay Packers , he completed eleven of sixteen passes for 166 yards for a touchdown and one interception in a 24 – 17 victory . Grossman ’ s victory enabled the Bears to clinch a playoff berth and the National Football Conference ' s second playoff seed . In his first playoff game , Grossman struggled to anchor the Bears ’ offense , completing 17 of 41 passes for 192 yards for one touchdown and an interception in a 29 – 21 loss against the Carolina Panthers . During the 2006 Chicago Bears season , Grossman became the first Bears quarterback to start all sixteen games since Erik Kramer in 1995 . In a season dubbed as a " " roller coaster ride " " by Grossman himself , the fourth - year quarterback had several productive performances , which were seemingly diluted by a handful of turnover - ridden games , especially in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals , where Grossman fumbled twice and threw four interceptions . While earning a passer rating of at least 100 in seven games , he earned a sub 50 rating in five games during the latter portion of the season . Grossman , who was named as the “ NFC Offensive Player of the Month ” in September , concluded the season ’ s final month with a 64 . 4 passer rating , including a zero rating during the season ’ s finale game against the Packers . Grossman ’ s work ethic drew criticism , when he admitted that he was not adequately prepared to play , and later claimed the game to be " meaningless . " After noticing that his words had been misinterpreted , he rationalized his statement days later . His inconsistent performance drew criticism , and calls for Smith to bench Grossman in favor of the veteran Brian Griese . Nevertheless , Smith , who supported Grossman throughout the season , declared that Grossman would remain the Bears ’ starting quarterback throughout the playoffs , causing much skepticism within the Chicago area . He temporarily silenced his critics by leading the Bears to a 27 – 24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks , completing 21 of 38 passes for 282 yards and one interception , fumble , and touchdown . The following week , he led the Bears to 39 – 14 victory over the New Orleans Saints , which allowed the Bears to claim the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl XLI . In the Super Bowl , Grossman completed 20 of 28 passes , including a one - yard touchdown pass . However , in this game he threw two interceptions , including one that was returned for a touchdown , and fumbled twice due to miscues between him and center Olin Kreutz . Despite additional criticism from his detractors , Grossman received the Ed Block Courage Award after the season ended . The award is given to one player from every team who exemplifies commitments to the principles of sportsmanship and courage , and is believed to be positive role models to their community . Before the 2007 season , Grossman vowed that he would improve his performance by simply " “ protecting the ball . " " Smith named him as the team ’ s starting quarterback for the 2007 season , despite inconsistent and lackluster play throughout the preseason . Grossman struggled in his first three outings of the season , and committed ten turnovers with a 45 . 2 passer rating . After week three , several news sources reported that Smith demoted him in favor of Brian Griese . The official announcement came the next day , when Smith announced that Griese would start in the team ' s next game . On November 11 , 2007 , Grossman reclaimed his first - string role after a shoulder injury sidelined Griese . Though Grossman only played for roughly one half , he led the Bears to a 17 – 6 victory over the Oakland Raiders with a 59 - yard touchdown pass to Bernard Berrian . After reclaiming his starting role , Grossman threw three touchdowns and one interception over the course of three and a half games . He sustained a knee injury during his fifth consecutive start , and was replaced once again by Griese . Grossman was forced to relinquish his starting position to Kyle Orton , who had previously temporarily relieved him after his 2005 preseason injury . Grossman became an unrestricted free agent after the 2007 season , but said he wished to return to the Bears . Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said , " " We would like to have Rex back in the mix . " " He added that Grossman will face additional competition if he returns , emphasizing the team ’ s need for a stable passing game . Smith had also voiced similar opinions . Grossman signed a new one - year contract with the Bears on February 23 , 2008 . Under terms of the deal , Grossman had a $ 3 million base salary . The Bears also granted Orton a contract extension and planned to have the two compete for a starting position . On August 18 , 2008 , after two preseason games , Coach Smith named Orton as the team ' s starting quarterback for the 2008 season . Grossman remained the team ' s back - up quarterback until week nine when he was called to replace Orton who left the game due an ankle injury . Grossman completed nine of nineteen passes for 58 yards , including a touchdown and interception . He also scored the game ' s winning touchdown on a quarterback sneak . During the course of the game , Grossman was repeatedly jeered by Bears fans . After the game , Brian Urlacher defended Grossman , commenting , " " We ’ ve got a quarterback who comes in off the bench and leads us to a victory , and they boo him right out of the gate . Poor guy . Lucky for him he ’ s resilient and he came back and led us to two scoring drives . But man , it ’ s tough . " " Lovie Smith named Grossman the team ' s starting quarterback for the Bears next contest against the Tennessee Titans . Grossman threw one touchdown and interception , and also scored a one - yard rushing touchdown , en route to a 21 – 14 loss . Grossman received his final snaps of the season in the following week , when he was called to relieve Orton in a 37 – 3 loss to the Green Bay Packers . Houston Texans . Grossman became a free agent on March 1 , 2009 . Bears Head Coach Lovie Smith said that Grossman was not in the team ' s plans for the 2009 season . During the offseason , Grossman worked out with the Cincinnati Bengals in March , but was not offered a contract . UFLaccess . com reported that Grossman would be participating in drills in a United Football League " Pro Day " . However , Grossman ' s agent , Drew Rosenhaus , denied these claims , stating that " Rex will be playing in the NFL this season . We have not considered any other leagues . He will be on a NFL roster by the start of training camps . " On June 12 , Grossman came to terms with the Houston Texans and signed a one - year contract , worth $ 620 , 000 . Grossman beat out Dan Orlovsky during the preseason for the backup quarterback position . Grossman only played in a single game during the 2009 season , temporarily relieving Matt Schaub in a 23 – 18 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars . He threw nine passes for three completions , 33 yards , and one interception . Washington Redskins . Grossman signed a one - year contract with the Washington Redskins for the 2010 season on March 17 , 2010 . Grossman made his first appearance for the Redskins against the Detroit Lions on October 31 , 2010 , but he was sacked and lost a fumble on his first play , which was returned by Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh for a touchdown . On August 2 , 2011 Grossman re - signed with the Redskins . At the end of the 2011 pre - season , after a quarterback battle with John Beck , Grossman was chosen to be the opening day starting quarterback of the Redskins . Grossman started the 2011 season with a win against the New York Giants , completing 21 of 34 attempts while throwing for 305 yards and two touchdowns . Grossman would lead the Redskins to a 3 - 1 start before being benched in a four interception week 5 performance against the Eagles in favor of Beck . Grossman returned week 10 in a loss to the Dolphins . He led a last minute touchdown drive the next week to tie Dallas but lost in overtime . He helped the Redskins snap a six - game skid the next week with a 23 - 17 win over the Seattle Seahawks in which he threw 314 yards , two interceptions , and two touchdowns . Washington Redskins re - signed Grossman to another one - year contract on March 17 , 2012 . The Redskins drafted Robert Griffin III ( second overall ) and Kirk Cousins ( 102nd overall ) in the 2012 NFL Draft . Grossman became the team ' s third string quarterback and did not play in a single game for the team in 2012 . On April 3 , 2013 , Grossman signed another one year contract to stay with the Redskins for 2013 . He remained the team ' s third string quarterback and primarily served to advise Griffin and Cousins . Playing style . Grossman ’ s gunslinger attitude is illustrated in his desire to throw long passes , similar to his youth idol , Brett Favre . During the 2006 season , Grossman had an above average completion rate when throwing passes worth twenty or more yards , but struggled to complete shorter passes . According to columnist Paul Attner of " Sporting News " , this attitude contributed to Grossman ' s inconsistent play . During Week 12 of the 2006 season , Grossman threw a game - ending interception while attempting a deep pass to Rashied Davis . However , during the divisional game in the 2006 playoffs , he threw a 68 - yard touchdown pass to Berrian on the opening play of the Bears ’ second drive . Additionally , Grossman ’ s ability to elude pursuers and scramble has significantly decreased since his season ending leg injury in 2004 . Although he only played three games in 2004 , Grossman amassed more rushing yards than he did in sixteen games in 2006 . However , he showed his potential to scramble during a game against the St . Louis Rams , after he converted a third and long with a twenty - two yard run . Though the run was the longest of Grossman ’ s career , it only gave him five net yards for the season at that point . Family and personal life . Grossman ' s family has a long football history . His father and grandfather were football players for Indiana University . His grandfather , Rex , also played for the Baltimore Colts ( 1948 – 1950 ) and Detroit Lions ( 1950 ) , playing in 12 games during his career . He resides in Bloomington , Indiana during the offseason with his wife Alison Miska , to whom he has been married since July 9 , 2005 . Grossman also has a sister and nephew who live in Lincolnwood , Illinois , and his parents are friends with Archie Manning . Grossman has been a longtime admirer of former Packers . Jets , and Vikings quarterback , Brett Favre and former Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh . Grossman was also an avid Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers fan during his youth . Outside of football , he enjoys playing basketball and watching movies . Additionally , he was a regular guest on FOX News Chicago ’ s " The Final Word " , a Sunday night sports show that is co - hosted by former Bears wide receiver Tom Waddle . He also appeared on the cover of " Sports Illustrated for Kids ' " February 2007 issue . The cover featured Grossman with teammates Devin Hester and Tommie Harris posing with bears in a museum exhibit . Grossman has also earned several nicknames over the course of his football career . While at the University of Florida , head coach Steve Spurrier dubbed him " “ Sexy Rexy . " " The nickname earned national recognition when teammate Muhsin Muhammad used the nickname while introducing Grossman during a starting line - up segment on " Monday Night Football " . Grossman was also infamously known as " Rex Glassman " and " Wrecks Grossman " due to his injury - prone years . After the midpoint of the 2006 season , commentators and fans would refer to Grossman as either " " Good Rex " " or " " Bad Rex " " depending on how he performed in a game . It was reported that Grossman absorbed a $ 680 , 000 loss on his September 2008 purchase of a 36th floor condo in the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago when it sold in January 2010 , losing 25 % of his initial investment . On June 28 , 2007 , Grossman ' s hometown of Bloomington , Indiana declared the day " Rex Grossman Day " for his accomplishments in football and the community . For the past four years , Grossman has held a charity golfing event for the Boys and Girls Club of America , raising over $ 100 , 000 for them . NFL career statistics . The following is a list of Grossman ' s statistics from his regular and postseason games . Grossman has occasionally recorded notable statistics ; among all quarterbacks during the 2006 season , Grossman ranked tenth in number of pass attempts , seventh in touchdowns thrown , and third in interceptions . He completed his first full season with a 73 . 9 quarterback rating . This was better than quarterback ratings of Favre , Peyton Manning , and Terry Bradshaw during their first full seasons ; many other quarterbacks have performed similarly or better in their first years , including Grossman ' s former backup Brian Griese . His twenty - three touchdowns in one season rank Grossman among the best Bears quarterbacks in the franchise ’ s history . However , his twenty interceptions in one season are among the most thrown by any Bears ’ quarterback in almost two decades . The unusual combination ranked Grossman as statistically the most inconsistent quarterback in almost a decade in 2006 .