Christopher Lee Canty (born November 10, 1982) is a former American football defensive end. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He also played for the New York Giants, winning Super Bowl XLVI with them over the New England Patriots in 2011, and the Baltimore Ravens. He played college football at Virginia.
Early years
Chris Canty was born in The Bronx, New York. He grew up in the Co-op City section of the borough until he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina at age 15. He did not play football until his junior year. Canty helped lead his team Charlotte Latin School to the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association State Championship in 1999 on his way to earning All-Conference and All-State honors as a senior tight end and defensive end after recording 20 receptions for 400 yards and 89 tackles and seven sacks.
He finished his prep career with 161 tackles, 12 sacks and two fumble recoveries. He was also a two-year letterman and all-conference honoree for the basketball team.
College career
While at Virginia, Canty was a two-time second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection. He led all conference defensive linemen in tackles as a sophomore and junior.
Sophomore (2002) In 2002, despite missing three games due to injury, Canty finished his sophomore season with 86 tackles, four tackles for losses, four pass deflections, three quarterback pressures, three fumble recoveries, and two sacks while starting eight of the 11 games.
Junior (2003) In 2003, Canty was named second-team All-ACC, Lineman of the Year in Virginia and recipient of the Ned McDonald Award as UVA's Most Outstanding Defensive Player after registering a career-high 104 tackles, 12 tackles for losses, 12 pressures and four sacks. He became only the second down lineman in school history to record more than 100 tackles in a season. His schoolwork also helped him earn All-ACC Academic honors.
Senior (2004) In 2004, he received his bachelor's degree in African American studies in May and took graduate course work in secondary education during his senior year. Canty's season was cut short in the fourth game of the season when he tore his ACL, MCL and PCL in his left knee. At the time, he had posted 30 tackles, seven tackles for losses, a sack and a forced fumble.
Eye injury
Canty suffered a serious eye injury at a nightclub in Scottsdale, Arizona, in late January 2005. While Canty said he was nothing more than a bystander in an altercation, he evidently was hit with a glass bottle in left eye, forcing him to have immediate surgery to repair a detached retina.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Canty was drafted in the fourth round (132nd overall pick) of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. After entering his senior season as a potential first round draft choice, he fell because of the knee injury he suffered as a senior, as well as a detached retina in his left eye, that was inflicted in the spring prior to the draft. The Cowboys traded their fifth round pick in 2005 and a fourth rounder in 2006 to the Philadelphia Eagles in order to move up. Canty signed a three-year, $1.3 million contract with the Cowboys.
After working throughout the spring and summer to rehabilitate his knee and recover from the injured retina, Canty was on the field one week into training camp. As a rookie, he registered 35 tackles (24 solo), was second on the team with five tackles for loss and tied for fourth on the club with 2.5 sacks.