Jason Avant Jason Raye Avant ( born April 20 , 1983 ) is a free agent American football wide receiver . He formerly played for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He was drafted by the Eagles in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft . He played college football at Michigan . Early years . Avant attended Carver Military Academy in Chicago , Illinois , graduating in 2002 . He spent his freshman year of high school in Decatur , IL at MacArthur High School . While in high school , Avant played both on defense , as a free safety , and offense , as a wide receiver . He set school records for receptions ( 148 ) , receiving yards ( 2 , 150 ) , touchdowns ( 37 ) , and interception s ( 18 ) . After his senior season , he was named a High School All - America n at free safety . He played in the 2002 U . S . Army All - American Bowl . College career . At the University of Michigan , Avant played as a wide receiver and on special teams . He played sparingly as a freshman , but as a sophomore emerged as the Wolverines ' number - two receiver , behind Braylon Edwards . During his sophomore season in 2003 , Avant caught 47 passes for 772 yards . As a junior he was the team ' s second leading receiver . In his senior year , Avant led the team in receptions ( 82 ) , receiving yards ( 1 , 007 ) , and receiving touchdowns ( eight ) . In his final two seasons , Avant was named as a candidate for the Fred Biletnikoff Award , given to the nation ' s top receiver . After his senior season , he was named an honorable mention All - American and was given the Bo Schembechler Award as Michigan ' s most valuable player . Professional career . Philadelphia Eagles . Avant was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles . The Eagles traded a sixth round draft pick and tackle Artis Hicks to the Minnesota Vikings for the pick used to take Avant . In a post - draft interview , Eagles head coach Andy Reid said Avant " has great hands , toughness , leadership ; he ' s very intelligent and a good route runner . " Scouting reports projected him as a consistent possession receiver who lacked the speed to be a deep threat . As a part of the Eagles crowded receiving corps , Avant saw limited playing time with the offense in his rookie season . He had his best performance — four receptions for forty yards and one touchdown — in the final game of the season , while the Eagles rested their starters for the playoffs . After the 2009 season , in which he set new career - highs in all three categories with 41 receptions for 587 yards and 3 touchdowns , Avant was named to the USA Today All - Joe Team for his stellar play in the slot position . 32 of Avant ' s 37 catches on third down resulted in a first down . He was re - signed to a five - year contract on March 8 , 2010 . He was named the Eagles ' Ed Block Courage Award recipient for 2010 . Avant was released from the Philadelphia Eagles on March 4 , 2014 . The move was not unexpected and came shortly after new contracts were given to Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin . Jason Avant REALLY needs to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs ! ! ! Personal . Avant is an avid Scrabble player . During Chris Berman ' s " Fastest Three Minutes " he referred to him as Jason " You Can ' t Always Get What " Avant . Avant and his wife , Stacy , live in Clementon , New Jersey . He is the son of Jerry Avant and Claudette Patrick . His brother , Edwon Simmons , was a baseball player , who was drafted by Baltimore Orioles and was a safety at San Diego State . He is now a talent scout for a sports agency in Chicago . Avant is a Christian . Avant has spoken about his faith saying " I devoted my life to Jesus Christ on May 4 , 2003 . It was a day when , if you can imagine it , your eyes are opened to a whole different light . On that day , I had a consciousness of God that I never really had before . It ’ s sort of like being in darkness , but you finally start to see . I realized that day that all of the stuff that I learned growing up was backwards , according to the Scripture . It was the day that changed my life . I started realizing that I had a purpose , and every thought from that day on went through a filter of Jesus Christ first . Before I can make a decision I have to think , ʻWould it be pleasing to God ? ’ " .