Wes Pate

Pate first played college football for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech University. He was redshirted in 1997.^[1] He played in ten games in 1998 as the co-backup (with Brian Stallworth) to starter Tim Rattay, completing 12 of 26 passes for 149 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.^[2][3] Pate also spent some time on the kickoff return team.^[2]

In 1999, with Rattay returning for another year, Pate transferred to Stephen F. Austin State University to receive more playing time.^[2] Pate was a three-year starter for the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks from 1999 to 2001, garnering second-team All-Southland Football League (SFL) recognition each season.^[4][5] He completed 197 of 333 passes (59.2%) for 2,626 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions his senior year, garnering SFL Offensive Player of the Year recognition.^[6] He threw for 6,058 yards and 49 touchdowns overall as a Lumberjack.^[6]

Pate was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the seventh round, with the 236th overall pick, of the 2003 NFL draft.^[1] He officially signed with the team on July 24.^[1] He was released on August 30 before the start of the 2002 NFL season, and signed to the team's practice squad on September 3.^[1] Pate was later released by the Ravens.^[7]

On November 19, 2002, Pate signed with the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League (AFL) for the 2003 AFL season.^[8] He signed with the Seattle Seahawks on January 10, 2003.^[1] He was allocated to NFL Europe to play for the Frankfurt Galaxy.^[1] However, he suffered an injury and never played in NFL Europe.^[1] Pate was later placed on the reserve/non-football injury list.^[1] He was released by the Seahawks on December 17, 2003.^[1] Pate was activated by the Chicago Rush on January 5, 2004, a month before the start of the 2004 AFL season.^[8] He was waived by Chicago on January 16, 2004.^[8]