Anthony Firkser Bio
Anthony Paul Firkser is an American professional football tight end for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 19, 1995, he played college football for the Harvard Crimson before signing with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Across his NFL career, Firkser has also spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, and New England Patriots.
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 245 pounds, Firkser is recognized for his football intelligence, route-running quickness, and reliable hands. He became the first Harvard player to score a postseason touchdown in the NFL, a milestone he reached with the Tennessee Titans in January 2020.
Early Life and Background
Anthony Paul Firkser was born on February 19, 1995, in Englishtown, New Jersey, and grew up in nearby Manalapan Township. He is the son of Alex Firkser and Donna Firkser. His family is Jewish, and the Firksers were members of Temple Shaari Emeth in Manalapan, where Anthony celebrated his bar mitzvah.
Firkser attended Manalapan High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete. In basketball, he played point guard and averaged 21.3 points with 7.6 assists per game, finishing his career second in school history with 1,362 points. As a senior, he was named Shore Conference Co-Player of the Year, Shore Conference ‘A’ North Division Offensive Player of the Year, and an all-state selection.
He also represented the United States at the 2013 Maccabiah Games in Israel, competing as a guard on the 18-and-under gold medal-winning Team USA basketball squad alongside Spencer Weisz. Firkser did not begin playing football until his sophomore year of high school. Over three varsity seasons, Manalapan went 30–6, captured three consecutive ‘A’ North Division titles, and reached the NJSIAA Central Jersey title game in his junior and senior seasons. Firkser set school career records with 110 receptions, 2,118 receiving yards, and 19 touchdown catches. He was a two-time All-Shore first-team choice and was named All-Shore Offensive Player of the Year as a senior.
Path to American Football
Although basketball was his first love, Firkser’s late start in football did not stop Ivy League programs from taking notice. He was recruited by Harvard University and four other schools, and on October 17, 2012, he committed to play for Crimson head coach Tim Murphy. Firkser cited Harvard’s academic reputation and its willingness to let him play both basketball and football as key reasons for his choice.
He saw his first collegiate action in 2014 as a sophomore, appearing in 10 games and posting 32 catches for 485 yards with four touchdown receptions that tied for the team lead. After the season, he earned All-Ivy League second-team honors. As a junior in 2015, he started nine games and recorded 22 receptions for 372 yards and three touchdowns, again collecting All-Ivy League second-team recognition.
In his senior year of 2016, Firkser started all 10 games and produced 45 receptions for 702 yards and seven touchdowns, earning All-Ivy League first-team honors. He graduated from Harvard in 2017 with a degree in applied mathematics and finished his career ranked 12th in school history in receptions, ninth in receiving yards, and sixth in touchdown receptions.
Anthony Firkser Career
Early Career (2017)
Firkser signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2017, after participating in Harvard’s Pro Day on March 19, an event attended by nearly half of the NFL’s teams. He was waived by the Jets on September 2, 2017, before landing on the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad on November 29, 2017.
With Kansas City, Firkser signed a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2018, giving him his first offseason roster invitation. He was waived by the Chiefs on April 30, 2018, setting the stage for his move to Tennessee.
Tennessee Titans Breakthrough (2018–2021)
On May 14, 2018, Firkser signed with the Tennessee Titans. He impressed in the preseason, ranking second on the team with 10 receptions for 108 yards, and made the initial 53-man roster on September 1, 2018. After a brief waiver and practice squad stint, he was promoted to the active roster on October 8. During Week 6, he caught his first NFL reception in a 21–0 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, and in Week 13 he scored his first career touchdown on a 12-yard pass from Marcus Mariota in a 26–22 victory over the Jets. He finished the 2018 season with 19 receptions for 225 yards and one touchdown.
In 2019, Firkser operated behind veterans Delanie Walker, Jonnu Smith, and MyCole Pruitt. After Walker’s injury, Firkser’s role grew, and he posted 14 receptions for 204 yards and one touchdown in the regular season. In the AFC Wild Card Round, he caught two passes for 23 yards and a touchdown in a 20–13 upset of the New England Patriots, becoming the first Harvard alumnus to score a postseason NFL touchdown. His final catch of the year was a 22-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Firkser signed a one-year extension on February 13, 2020. During Week 6, he recorded his first career 100-yard game, catching eight of nine targets from Ryan Tannehill for 113 yards and a touchdown in a 42–36 overtime win over the Houston Texans. He finished 2020 with 39 receptions for 387 yards and one touchdown. After re-signing on March 17, 2021, Firkser delivered 34 receptions for 291 yards and two touchdowns, including a fumble recovery in the end zone against Houston and a receiving score in a regular-season finale road win at the Texans.
Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots (2022–2023)
On April 12, 2022, Firkser signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons. After being released on August 30, he was signed to the practice squad the next day and promoted to the active roster on September 13. In 2022, he appeared in 11 games with one start, recording nine receptions for 100 yards.
On May 25, 2023, Firkser signed with the New England Patriots but was released on August 29, 2023, ending that stop before the regular season began.
Detroit Lions and New York Jets Returns (2023–2025)
On October 10, 2023, Firkser joined the Detroit Lions’ practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on December 30, released on January 4, 2024, and promoted back on January 13. On July 30, 2024, he signed with the New York Jets, where he moved between the practice squad and active roster before being released on October 31, 2024.
Firkser returned to the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad on November 2, 2024, signed a reserve/future contract on February 12, 2025, and was released on May 1, 2025. On November 11, 2025, he signed with the Detroit Lions’ practice squad and was promoted to the active roster on November 26, 2025, returning to the franchise where he had previously appeared.
Driving Style and Strengths
Scouts entering the 2017 NFL Draft praised Firkser as tough, intelligent, and relatively athletic, highlighting his ability to release quickly into pass routes and adjust to off-target throws. His football IQ, combined with reliable hands and a knack for finding soft spots in zone coverage, has allowed him to carve out a steady role as a move tight end and fullback-style hybrid at the NFL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Firkser’s signature NFL moment came on January 4, 2020, when he became the first Harvard alumnus to score a postseason touchdown, hauling in a score against the New England Patriots in the AFC Wild Card Round. He also produced his first career 100-yard receiving game in a 42–36 overtime win at the Houston Texans in 2020, a breakout performance that cemented his role in the Titans’ offense.
Anthony Firkser Career Highlights
Across his professional career, Anthony Paul Firkser has compiled 115 receptions for 1,207 receiving yards and five touchdowns in regular-season play, with additional postseason production highlighted by his historic score for the Titans in January 2020.
Tennessee Titans Highlights
Firkser’s most productive years came in Tennessee from 2018 through 2021. He posted 106 receptions for 1,107 yards and five touchdowns across four seasons with the Titans, including career-best marks of 39 catches and 387 yards in 2020. His 19 catches for 225 yards as a rookie in 2018 launched his NFL career, while his 34 catches and two scores in 2021 capped his Titans tenure.
Other Performances
Outside Tennessee, Firkser has appeared for the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, and Detroit Lions. With Atlanta in 2022, he contributed nine receptions for 100 yards across 11 games, including one start, providing reliable depth at tight end for the Falcons.
Anthony Firkser Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Anthony Paul Firkser was raised by his father, Alex Firkser, and his mother, Donna Firkser, in the Manalapan Township area of New Jersey. His older brother, Josh Firkser, played college football at Wagner University, extending the family’s athletic tradition beyond Anthony’s high school accomplishments.
Personal Life
Firkser grew up in a Jewish household in Manalapan, where the family attended Temple Shaari Emeth and he celebrated his bar mitzvah. He represented the United States at the 2013 Maccabiah Games in Israel, an experience that reflected his cultural and athletic roots. During the 2018 offseason, he studied for actuarial credential exams, exploring a potential post-football career as an actuary following his applied mathematics degree from Harvard.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of transitions for Anthony Paul Firkser. After signing a reserve/future contract with the Kansas City Chiefs on February 12, 2025, he was released on May 1, 2025, ending his second stint in Kansas City.
Firkser returned to the Detroit Lions on November 11, 2025, signing with the team’s practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on November 26, 2025. His return gives the Lions another experienced tight end for the stretch run.
Looking ahead, Firkser is positioned to provide veteran depth and a dependable pass-catching option for Detroit as the franchise continues its push in the NFC. With his route-running polish and Ivy League-honed football intelligence, he remains a reliable contributor for one of the league’s most aggressive offenses.