Kyle Boller
Kyle Brian Boller (born June 17, 1981 in Burbank, California) is an American football quarterback with the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League.
Boller was a 2003 first round draft pick out of California and has been the starting QB for the Ravens from his rookie season of 2003. He was the second quarterback taken out of the Pac-10 conference after the Cincinnati Bengals selected Carson Palmer from USC, with the first overall pick.
Boller started the first 11 games of the 2003 season until he injured his thigh in a loss to the St. Louis Rams. He also started every game at quarterback for the Ravens 2004 season. He had his best game of his young career against the New York Giants On December 12, 2004, throwing four touchdowns, no interceptions, and passing for 219 yards, as Baltimore trounced New York 37–14 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Notable
- Boller's stock as a draft pick took off after his junior season with Cal. His success was credited to Cal's new head coach Jeff Tedford.
- The Ravens initially attempted to trade up to draft Marshall University quarterback Byron Leftwich, but instead traded their 2003 1st and 2nd round picks, and the 2004 1st round pick, to the New England Patriots so they could draft Boller.
- Boller wore uniform #8 in 2003, as incumbent quarterback Chris Redman wore #7, but when Redman left following the '03 season, Boller switched back to #7, which he wore in college. His favorite quarterback growing up also wore #7 – John Elway.
- Boller's success as a starting quarterback is being monitored by Ravens fans and media under heavy scrutiny. Ravens head coach Brian Billick has had to start ten quarterbacks in six seasons. Boller was the first Ravens QB since Vinny Testaverde to start opening games in consecutive seasons.
- Boller's father, three uncles, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all firefighters.
- Boller was reported to have a brief relationship with American actress Tara Reid, who had also previously dated Patriots QB Tom Brady.