Stephen Baker (American football) explained

Stephen Edward Baker (born August 30, 1964) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for six seasons with the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Fresno State Bulldogs.

Early life

Baker attended Alexander Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, California, where he lettered in football, track, and gymnastics.^{[1] [2]}

College career

Baker attended college at Fresno State University, where he caught 62 passes for 1,629 yards in two seasons.^[2]

Professional career

Drafted by the New York Giants in the third round (83rd overall) of the 1987 NFL draft,^[3] Baker played for the Giants his entire career from 1987 to 1992. Also known as Stephen Baker "The Touchdown Maker," he won a championship ring with New York in Super Bowl XXV, when they defeated the Buffalo Bills 20–19. Baker caught two passes for 31 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown pass from Jeff Hostetler late in the 2nd quarter.

Baker finished his six NFL seasons with 141 receptions for 2,587 yards and 21 touchdowns, along with 21 rushing yards.

In 1992, according to Football Outsiders, Baker had the worst catch rate of any wide receiver from 1991–2011, catching only 28.8% of the passes thrown to him.^[4]

In 2008, Baker was inducted into the Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame.^[5]

NFL career statistics

Legend
	Won the Super Bowl
Bold	Career high

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Receiving
		GP	GS	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
	NYG	12	5	15	277	18.5	50	2
	NYG	16	11	40	656	16.4	85	7
	NYG	15	4	13	255	19.6	39	2
	NYG	16	8	26	541	20.8	80	4
	NYG	15	13	30	525	17.5	52	4
	NYG	16	11	17	333	19.6	46	2
		90	52	141	2,587	18.3	85	21

Playoffs

Year	Team	Games		Receiving
		GP	GS	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
	NYG	1	1	2	46	23.0	27	0
	NYG	3	2	7	111	15.9	25	2
		4	3	9	157	17.4	27	2

Personal life

Baker is an enthusiast of radio-controlled airplanes and helicopters.^{[6] [7] [8]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Stephen Baker Stats. Pro-Football-Reference.com.
2. Gelberg, Jon (October 27, 1988). "Baker is growing into his 'big' role with the Giants". Asbury Park Press.
3. Web site: 1987 NFL Draft Listing . September 30, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
4. Football Outsiders Almanac 2012, p.359
5. Web site: Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame Home. Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame Home. February 2, 2017. July 31, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170731195939/https://www.fresnoahof.org/current-past-inductees. dead.
6. Web site: 2021-09-24 . NY Giants’ Stephen Baker: an interview on life, football, and video games . 2024-10-12 . GMEN HQ . en-US.
7. Web site: Up Close With Stephen Baker: Conversations on Life After The Game and Fatherhood . 2024-10-12 . nfl-pe-stage.azurewebsites.net.
8. Web site: 2017-06-30 . Baker, Stephen ‘The Touchdown Maker’ The Football Autograph Encyclopedia . 2024-10-12 . en-US.