Summary
Field Minister Yates (born April 23, 1987) is an American sportswriter and analyst, who is an NFL Insider at ESPN where he provides NFL and fantasy football insight. A graduate of Wesleyan University, where he was a two sport athlete, and a former member of the Kansas City Chiefs coaching staff, he has worked at ESPN since 2012.
Field Yates | |
|---|---|
| Born | Field Minister Yates April 23, 1987 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Wesleyan University (BS) |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Career | |
| Show | Fantasy Focus (2018-present) |
| Station | ESPN Radio |
| Country | United States |
| College football career | |
| Wesleyan Cardinals | |
| Position | Safety |
| Class | 2009 |
| Major | Psychology |
| Personal information | |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career history | |
| High school | Belmont Hill School |
Early life edit
Yates was born in Boston, Massachusetts on April 23, 1987. He attended Belmont Hill School and was a member of their football team. As a tight end and linebacker, he was named to the All-Independent School League.[1] He later attended Wesleyan University where he graduated with a degree in psychology.[2] At Wesleyan, he was a member of the football team and lacrosse team.[2][3][4]
Career edit
NFL edit
Yates intended to pursue a career in either coaching or scouting football.[2] His career was heading that way as he interned with the New England Patriots for four seasons during his high school and college years.[5] With the Patriots, Yates worked in a variety of scouting and coaching duties.[5] From 2009 to 2011, he worked for the Kansas City Chiefs in their scouting and coaching department. During his first year with the Chiefs, Yates worked as an in-house scout and soon after worked as an assistant to Head Coach Todd Haley.[1] Yates spent games in the coaching box and charted defensive plays.[1][6]
ESPN edit
Yates has stated that he ended up in broadcasting and journalism "by complete accident."[7] After leaving the Chiefs organization, he spent time writing a football blog and writing for some football sites.[7] In 2011, he connected with ESPN reporter Mike Reiss, who then served as a mentor to Yates.[8] Yates helped Reiss with his coverage of the Patriots during the 2012 NFL Draft and the 2012 New England Patriots season.[7]
After first covering the Patriots for ESPN Boston, ESPN hired Yates and assigned him to a variety of duties.[7] At ESPN, Yates serves as a football analyst, who covers the NFL and provides fantasy football insight. He co-hosts the Fantasy Focus podcast on ESPN Radio.[9] He also hosts ESPN 2's Sunday pregame show Fantasy Football Now, which he was previously a contributor to, and serves as a contributor to Monday Night Football as the host of Monday Tailgate.[9][10]
He previously served as the host of ESPN Radio's shows Operation Football and Football Friendzy.[9] Yates is also a regular contributor to NFL Live, SportsCenter, The Fantasy Show on ESPN+ and to ESPN's coverage of the NFL Draft.[9]
References edit
- ^ a b c York, Bob (August 23, 2022). "Former Belmont Hill Standout Takes a Seat — at ESPN | New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (MA)". New England Preparatory School Athletic Council. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
- ^ a b c "How Field Yates '09 Defies the Odds in the Sports Industry". Wesleyan University Magazine. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
- ^ "Wesleyan football pipeline a point of pride for Yates". ESPN. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
- ^ "Growing in the Media Space". TED (conference). Retrieved November 13, 2020.
- ^ a b "WHEN FANTASY IS REALITY WITH FIELD YATES". Athleisure Magazine. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
- ^ "Talking Chiefs With Field Yates". FanSided. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Interview with ESPN NFL Insider Field Yates". Jacob and Jacob Podcast. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
- ^ "The Friday Five: Field Yates". The 33rd Team. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Field Yates". ESPN. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
- ^ "FIELD YATES TO HOST 'FANTASY FOOTBALL NOW,' AGREES TO NEW CONTRACT". OutKick. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
