{{Short description|American football player (born 1995)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Tommy Sweeney | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | current_team = | number = | position = Tight end | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|7|1}} | birth_place = Ramsey, New Jersey, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 5 | weight_lb = 255 | high_school = Don Bosco Prep<br/>(Ramsey, New Jersey) | college = Boston College (2014–2018) | draftyear = 2019 | draftround = 7 | draftpick = 228 | pastteams = * Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2019}}–{{NFL Year|2022}}) * New York Giants ({{NFL Year|2023}}) * Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2024}})* | status = | highlights = *First-team All-ACC (2018) | statweek = | statseason = | statlabel1 = Receptions | statvalue1 = 18 | statlabel2 = Receiving yards | statvalue2 = 165 | statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns | statvalue3 = 1 | pfr = S/SweeTo00 }}
'''Thomas R. Sweeney''' (born July 1, 1995) is an American professional football tight end. He played college football for the Boston College Eagles. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL draft.
==Early life== Sweeney grew up in Ramsey, New Jersey and attended Don Bosco Preparatory High School.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bcinterruption.com/2019/4/25/18515789/2019-nfl-draft-profiles-tommy-sweeney-boston-college-eagles|title=2019 NFL Draft Profiles: Tommy Sweeney|first=Peter|last=Caliguri|website=BCInterruption.com|publisher=SB Nation|date=April 25, 2019|access-date=April 27, 2019}}</ref> He caught 27 passes for 539 yards and five touchdowns in his senior season.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2016/12/25/tight-end-tommy-sweeney-plays-key-role-in-offense-for-boston-college-football/ |title=Tight end Tommy Sweeney plays key role in offense for Boston College |date=December 25, 2016 |website=Boston Herald |access-date=April 27, 2019}}</ref>
==College career== Sweeney played five seasons for the Boston College Eagles, redshirting his freshman season. As a redshirt junior, he led the team with 36 receptions, 512 receiving yards, and four touchdown receptions and was named third-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://expo.cleveland.com/sports/g66l-2019/03/c3ec133f664480/tommy-sweeney-why-the-browns-should-draft-the-boston-college-tight-end.html|title=Tommy Sweeney: Why the Browns should draft the Boston College tight end|first=Scott|last=Patsko|website=Cleveland.com|date=March 2, 2019|access-date=April 27, 2019}}</ref> He capped off the season with seven catches for 137 yards and a touchdown against Iowa in the 2017 Pinstripe Bowl. In his final season with the Eagles, Sweeney had 32 catches for 348 yards and three touchdowns and was named first-team All-ACC.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://buffalonews.com/2019/04/27/buffalo-bills-nfl-draft-tommy-sweeney/ |title=Bills close out draft with selection of tight end Tommy Sweeney |last=Shurski |first=Jay |date=April 27, 2019 |website=The Buffalo News |access-date=September 25, 2019}}</ref> Sweeney finished his collegiate career with 99 receptions for 1,281 yards and 10 touchdowns in 38 career games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://espnrochester.radio.com/articles/wgr-am-article/bills-take-tight-end-tommy-sweeney-final-pick-nfl-draft-0|title=Bills take tight end Tommy Sweeney with final pick of NFL Draft|website=ESPNRochester.Radio.com|date=April 29, 2019|access-date=June 28, 2019}}</ref>
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 4 1/2 | weight = 251 | dash = 4.83 | ten split = 1.59 | twenty split = 2.82 | shuttle = 4.31 | cone drill = 7.17 | vertical = 32.0 | broad ft = 9 | broad in = 7 | bench = 17 | arm span = 32 3/4 | hand span = 9 3/4 | wonderlic = | note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/tommy-sweeney/32005357-4539-3041-578e-743d87b9a544 |title=Tommy Sweeney Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=May 10, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2019 NFL Draft Scout Tommy Sweeney College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=131890&DraftYear=2019 |access-date=October 2, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}</ref> }}
===Buffalo Bills=== Sweeney was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round (228th overall) of the 2019 NFL draft.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/football/nfl/bills/2019/04/27/tommy-sweeney-buffalo-bills-draft-pick-boston-college-tight-end-7th-round-nfl-2019/3599620002/|title=Tommy Sweeney: 3 things to know about Buffalo Bills 7th round pick from Boston College|first=Sal|last=Maiorana|work=Rochester Democrat and Chronicle|date=April 27, 2019}}</ref> He signed a rookie contract with the team on May 9, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://auburnpub.com/bills-complete-contracts-with-seven-draft-picks/article_5c529bf6-ae0a-5a05-bf97-b8e796359bae.html|title=Bills complete contracts with seven draft picks|work=The Citizen|publisher=Associated Press|date=May 9, 2019|access-date=May 31, 2019}}</ref>
Sweeney made his NFL debut in the on September 8, 2019, in the Bills season opener, catching two passes for 35 yards in a 17–16 win over the New York Jets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wgr550.radio.com/articles/news/bills-start-season-comeback-win|title=Bills come back with 17 unanswered points to beat the Jets, 17-16|first=Derek|last=Kramer|website=WGR550.Radio.com|date=September 8, 2019}}</ref> Sweeney caught eight passes for 114 yards in six games played as a rookie.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2020/1/29/21079962/state-of-the-buffalo-bills-roster-tight-ends-dawson-knox-tyler-kroft-lee-smith-tommy-sweeney|title=State of the Buffalo Bills' roster: Tight ends|first=Sean|last=Murphy|website=BuffaloRumblings.com|publisher=SB Nation|date=January 29, 2020|access-date=February 9, 2020}}</ref>
Sweeney was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list (PUP) by the Bills due to a foot injury on July 28, 2020.<ref>{{cite news |author=Glab, Maddy |title=Star Lotulelei opts out of the 2020 season; Tommy Sweeney placed on PUP list |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/star-lotulelei-opts-out-of-the-2020-season-tommy-sweeney-placed-on-pup-list |website=BuffaloBills.com |date=July 28, 2020 |accessdate=July 29, 2020}}</ref> He was placed on the reserve/PUP list to start the season on September 5, 2020.<ref>{{cite news |author=Brown, Chris |title=Bills announce these moves to get to the 53-man roster limit |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-announce-these-moves-to-get-to-the-53-man-roster-limit |website=BuffaloBills.com |date=September 5, 2020 |accessdate=September 11, 2020}}</ref> He was moved to the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on October 24, 2020,<ref>{{cite news |title=Bills place four players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list; four players elevated from practice squad |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-place-four-players-on-the-reserve-covid-19-list-four-players-elevated-from |website=BuffaloBills.com |date=October 24, 2020 |accessdate=November 5, 2020}}</ref> and was activated back to the PUP list on November 11.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bills' Tommy Sweeney: Back with team |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/bills-tommy-sweeney-back-with-team/ |website=CBSSports.com |date=November 11, 2020 |accessdate=December 17, 2020}}</ref> However, he developed myocarditis as a result of the virus and was ruled out for the rest of the season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bills' Tommy Sweeney out for the season with myocarditis stemming from COVID-19|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/11/23/bills-tommy-sweeney-out-for-the-season-with-myocarditis-stemming-from-covid-19/|author=Smith, Michael|work=Pro Football Talk|publisher=NBC Sports|date=November 23, 2020}}</ref> He was placed back on the reserve/COVID-19 list on November 23, 2020.<ref>{{cite news |author=McCoy, James P. |title=Bills' Tommy Sweeney out for season with myocarditis stemming from Covid-19 |url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/bills/bills-tommy-sweeney-out-for-season-with-myocarditis-stemming-from-covid-19/article_885d029e-2dd2-11eb-81cc-b3ddbd53b9ea.html |website=BuffaloNes.com |date=November 23, 2020 |accessdate=December 29, 2020}}</ref> In April 2021, Bills general manager Brandon Beane announced that Sweeney should be ready for the 2021 season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 20, 2021 |title=Bills' Tommy Sweeney: Expected to be ready for 2021 |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/bills-tommy-sweeney-expected-to-be-ready-for-2021/ |access-date=2021-04-24 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref> Sweeney returned to the field in June 2021, when it was revelated that at one point in time, it was unknown if he'd be able to play again.<ref name="f170">{{cite web | last=Wojton | first=Nick | title=Bills' Tommy Sweeney back on field after serious myocarditis, COVID scare | website=Bills Wire|publisher=USA Today | date=2021-06-10 | url=https://billswire.usatoday.com/2021/06/10/buffalo-bills-tommey-sweeney-myocarditis-covid-19/?fbclid=IwAR3-wtZ0URIIn17-apgvHq6mbusU_1UCmHHHfrGbm-MPw85YIS-Np87xJr0 | access-date=2024-10-16}}</ref>
On October 18, 2021, Sweeney caught his first career touchdown in a loss to the Tennessee Titans.<ref name="b540">{{cite web | title=Tommy Sweeney: Don Bosco football alum scores first NFL touchdown | website=Bergen Record | date=2021-10-19 | url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/nfl/2021/10/18/tommy-sweeney-don-bosco-football-alum-scores-first-nfl-touchdown/8518430002/ | access-date=2024-10-16}}</ref>
===New York Giants=== On March 23, 2023, Sweeney signed with the New York Giants.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Salomone |first=Dan |date=March 23, 2023 |title=Giants add more tight end depth with Tommy Sweeney |url=https://www.giants.com/news/tommy-sweeney-agree-to-terms-contract-stats-buffalo-bills-boston-college |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=Giants.com}}</ref> On August 23, Sweeney collapsed on the practice field as the result of a 'medical event.' He was placed on reserve/non-football injury list six days later, and did not play for the Giants in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Michael |date=August 29, 2023 |title=Giants announce 53-man roster for 2023 |url=https://www.giants.com/news/new-york-giants-roster-2023-nfl-season-joe-schoen-brian-daboll-transactions |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=Giants.com}}</ref> Sweeney was released by New York on November 28.<ref name="r520">{{cite web | title=Tommy Sweeney: Gets cut by Giants | website=CBSSports.com | date=2023-11-28 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/tommy-sweeney-gets-cut-by-giants/ | access-date=2025-01-14}}</ref>
===Chicago Bears=== On May 13, 2024, Sweeney signed with the Chicago Bears.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=May 13, 2024 |title=Roster Moves: Bears sign six free agents |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-sign-six-free-agents-2024-rookie-minicamp |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=ChicagoBears.com}}</ref> He was released on August 24, and re-signed to the practice squad on October 9.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=2024-08-24 |title=Bears cut TE Tommy Sweeney, DL Keith Randolph |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/bears-cut-te-tommy-sweeney-dl-keith-randolph |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}</ref>
==NFL career statistics== {| class="wikitable" |- ! colspan="2"| Legend |- | style="width:3em;"| '''Bold''' | Career high |}
===Regular season=== {| class= "wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="2"| Fumbles |- ! {{abbr|GP|Games played}} !! {{abbr|GS|Games started}} !! {{abbr|Rec|Receptions}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}} !! {{abbr|Y/R|Yards per reception}} !! {{abbr|Lng|Longest reception}} !! {{abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}} !! {{abbr|Fum|Fumbles}} !! {{abbr|Lost|Fumbles lost}} |- ! 2019 !! BUF | 6 || 1 || 8 || '''114''' || '''14.3''' || '''29''' || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2020 !! BUF | colspan="9"| ''Did not play due to injury'' |- ! 2021 !! BUF | '''13''' || '''3''' || '''9''' || 44 || 4.9 || 13 || '''1''' || '''1''' || 0 |- ! 2022 !! BUF | 5 || 0 || 1 || 7 || 7.0 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SweeTo00.htm Career] !! 24 !! 4 !! 18 !! 165 !! 9.2 !! 29 !! 1 !! 1 !! 0 |}
===Postseason=== {| class= "wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="2"| Fumbles |- ! {{abbr|GP|Games played}} !! {{abbr|GS|Games started}} !! {{abbr|Rec|Receptions}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}} !! {{abbr|Y/R|Yards per reception}} !! {{abbr|Lng|Longest reception}} !! {{abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}} !! {{abbr|Fum|Fumbles}} !! {{abbr|Lost|Fumbles lost}} |- ! 2019 !! BUF | colspan="9"| ''Did not play'' |- ! 2020 !! BUF | colspan="9"| ''Did not play due to injury'' |- ! 2021 !! BUF | rowspan="2"; colspan="9"| ''Did not play'' |- ! 2022 !! BUF |- ! colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SweeTo00.htm Career] !! — !! — !! — !! — !! — !! — !! — !! — !! — |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://bceagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10207 Boston College Eagles bio]
{{Portal bar|American football|Biography|College football}} {{Bills2019DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sweeney, Tommy}} Category:1995 births Category:Living people Category:American football tight ends Category:Boston College Eagles football players Category:Buffalo Bills players Category:New York Giants players Category:Don Bosco Preparatory High School alumni Category:People from Ramsey, New Jersey Category:Players of American football from Bergen County, New Jersey Category:Chicago Bears players