Colby Parkinson

BIOGRAPHY

Colby John Parkinson, born on January 8, 1999, is an acclaimed American professional football player, recognized for his role as a tight end. Currently, he is part of the Los Angeles Rams, a prominent team in the National Football League or NFL. Previously, he was a member of the Seattle Seahawks, which marked the beginning point of his journey in the NFL. His professional road in football has been shaped and chiseled by his experiences right from high school, through college and onto the professional stage.

Born and raised in the United States, Parkinson had access to football from an early age; he attended Oaks Christian School located in Westlake Village, California. Here, he did not limit his athletic prowess to the football field but also proved his mettle in the basketball court. However, it was in his junior year, particularly in 2015, that he started showcasing his potential as a football player. During this season, he stunned onlookers by making 24 successful passes that spanned a total of 289 yards. He also secured four touchdowns.

In the same year, he made the crucial decision to commit to Stanford University where he felt he could develop his raw talent into professional skill. This decision became a stepping-stone towards achieving his football career. He wrapped up his senior year in high school playing at the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Bowl, a highlight of his early career.

Stanford was his training ground. In his debut year (2017), Parkinson made a considerable mark, playing in all 14 of Stanford’s games. With ten successful passes covering 97 yards and four touchdowns to his credit, he was off to a promising start.

2018 brought further glory for Parkinson. The sophomore year, where he played in 13 games (starting in nine), had him again under the spotlight. He outdid his last season record by making 29 passes, which resulted in 485 yards and an impressive seven touchdowns. A particular game, on November 10, 2018, against Oregon State, shook everyone up when Parkinson achieved six catches covering 166 yards, securing four touchdowns that matched the Stanford record for a tight end in a single game.

After his spectacular sophomore year, Parkinson received an All-Pac-12 Conference honorable mention and went on to play his junior year in 2019. After bagging 48 meaningful catches for 589 yards and one touchdown, he made the bold decision to forgo his senior year at Stanford and take the plunge into the professional football world by entering the 2020 NFL draft.

The 2020 NFL Draft saw Parkinson being picked in the fourth round as the 133rd overall pick by the Seattle Seahawks, marking the start of his professional career. During this time, though he faced some health-related challenges and injuries, he maintained his resilience and continued to impress everyone with his performance on the field. He made his mark in six games during his rookie season.

Parkinson sustained a broken foot on September 7, 2021, which led to him being placed on injured reserve, but this hitch wasn’t enough to halt his football journey. By October 2, 2021, within a month, he made a strong comeback, making an appearance in 14 games, even starting one game during the season.

The 2022 season proved to be an important milestone in Parkinson’s career as he scored his first-ever NFL touchdown in the inaugural week. Throughout the season, he started two out of 17 games and ended with 25 successful receptions covering 322 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.

March 14, 2024, marked a significant shift in Parkinson’s career. On this day, he signed a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams, now his current team. The contract, worth up to $22.5 million, underscored his steady rise and established status in the NFL. Therefore, a career that began in a high school football field has now made Parkinson a renowned name in the National Football League.