No. 3 | |||||||||
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Position: | Quarterback | ||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||
Date of birth: | August 19, 1960 | ||||||||
Place of birth: | Cut Off, Louisiana | ||||||||
Career information | |||||||||
High school: | Cut Off (LA) South Lafourche | ||||||||
College: | Northwestern State | ||||||||
Career history | |||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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TD–INT: | 135–124 |
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Yards: | 21,683 |
QB Rating: | 78.0 |
Player stats at NFL.com |
Bobby Joseph Hebert Jr., (surname pronounced "ay-bare") (born August 19, 1960) is an American sportscaster and former American football quarterback. He played professionally in the United States Football League (USFL) and National Football League (NFL) from 1983 to 1996 for the Michigan Panthers, Oakland Invaders, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons. Nicknamed the "Cajun Cannon", Hebert led the Panthers to the USFL championship in the league's inaugural season. Later he helped bring the Saints their first winning season and playoff appearance in franchise history. Hebert was inducted to the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.
Hebert was among the best quarterbacks in the USFL's short history. In 1983, he won the USFL championship with the Michigan Panthers, defeating the Philadelphia Stars, 24–22. The team struggled a bit with injuries in 1984 and a weakened squad was knocked out of the playoffs by Steve Young's Los Angeles Express 27–21 in triple OT. In 1985, the Panthers were merged with the Oakland Invaders and Hebert again led his team to the finals against the Stars. This time Hebert's team fell short and the Stars won 28–24. In three years in the USFL, Hebert completed 773 of 1,407 passes for 13,137 passing yards. He is the USFL's all-time leader in passing yardage.
In 1985, his rookie season with the NFL's New Orleans Saints, and in 1986, he split time with quarterback Dave Wilson. In 1987, he was made starting quarterback with John Fourcade as back up. In 1991 and 1992 he led the Saints to excellent starts and impressive playoff appearances. For leading the 1991 Saints to their "best start ever," Hebert was honored by gracing the front cover of the October 7, 1991 Sports Illustrated. In 1993, he was signed by the Atlanta Falcons and was selected for the Pro Bowl that season. He continued to play for the Atlanta Falcons as a backup to Jeff George in 1994 and 1995, and he was named starter again in 1996. Hebert retired after his 1996 season with the Falcons.