Josh Scobey

This article is about the former NFL running back. For the similarly named NFL placekicker, see Josh Scobee.

Joshua Payne Scobey (born December 11, 1979) is an American former professional football running back and kick returner who played seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Kansas State and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2002 NFL draft.

Josh Scobey

Scobey with the Seattle Seahawks in 2006
No. 33, 39
Position:	Running back / Kick returner
Personal information
Born:	(1979-12-11) December 11, 1979 (age 45) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:	Del City (Del City, Oklahoma)
College:	Kansas State
NFL draft:	2002: 6th round, 185th pick
Career history
Arizona Cardinals (2002–2004) Seattle Seahawks (2005–2006) Buffalo Bills (2007) Seattle Seahawks (2007) Las Vegas Locomotives (2009)
Career highlights and awards
NFL kickoff return yards leader (2003) UFL champion (2009) Second-team All-Big 12 (2001)
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts: 27 Rushing yards: 89 Receptions: 19 Receiving yards: 200 Return yards: 4,160 Total touchdowns: 1 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

At Del City High School, Scobey finished with the best single season rushing total in Del City High School history, with 1,829 yards (1997). He rushed for 3,303 total rushing yards, trailing only Bennie Butler (University of Oklahoma) in career rushing yards. He also finished only behind Butler in total rushing and receiving yards with 3,408.^[1]

College career

Scobey attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Oklahoma.

He then transferred to Kansas State University, where he started at running back and set a school record for rushing touchdowns.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
5 ft 11+3⁄8 in (1.81 m)	218 lb (99 kg)	31+1⁄4 in (0.79 m)	9+1⁄4 in (0.23 m)	4.46 s	1.59 s	2.61 s	3.93 s	6.96 s	40.5 in (1.03 m)	10 ft 4 in (3.15 m)	21 reps
All values from NFL Combine[2]

Scobey's NFL career began when he was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2002 NFL draft.^[3] In 2003, Scobey led the National Football League in kick-off return yardage and was allowed to be voted for the Pro Bowl. He played for the Cardinals for three seasons before moving to the Seahawks. In Seattle, he earned an NFC championship ring and he was the Seahawks' kickoff returner in Super Bowl XL against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and served as a team captain for the game and coin toss.

On May 3, 2007, Scobey signed with the Buffalo Bills, but he re-signed with the Seahawks on December 4, exactly one year after he was placed on injured reserve by the Seahawks in 2006.

Post-playing career

On June 25, 2022, Scobey was promoted to the director of college scouting by the Arizona Cardinals.^[4] On May 4, 2024, Scobey and the Cardinals organization parted ways.^[5]

Personal life

Scobey is a Buddhist. He practices Nichiren Buddhism through the Soka Gakkai International, and has been a practicing Buddhist since he was five years old.^[6][7]