EAGLE ALUMNI

Chris Rix - Florida State

In his senior season Chris had a major impact in every facet of the Eagles Offense. He passed for over 900 yards, ran for over 550 and had 10 catches for over 200 yards as a receiver. Chris was the 1999 Impact Player of the Year for the Eagles. He was also a Pre-Season All-American and 2nd Team All-Serra League. Going into his senior campaign, Rix received All-State and All-American honors and earned the Nike Camp Most Valuable Player honors in Los Angeles. He was also part of the inaugural Nike “Elite 11” Quarterback Clinic held in Beaverton, Oregon. Invitations are as they sound -- only to those Top 11 high school quarterbacks in the nation. Following his senior season, Rix was selected to Team California where, as a captain, he started at quarterback and helped lead California to a 21-11 victory over Florida in inaugural CaliFlorida Bowl 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Rix threw for 98 yards on 7-for-16 passing, including a touchdown and an interception.

SMCHS Accomplishments:

  • 1998: Orange County Register Fab-15 All-West Region selection - Juniors
  • 1998: Cal-Hi Sports Second-Team All-State - Multi-Purpose selection
  • 1999: Preseason All-American: SuperPrep Magazine - No. 2 in Orange County / No. 10 in California
  • 1999: Preseason All-American: ESPN
  • 1999: Preseason All-American: Student Sports Magazine
  • 1999: Preseason All-American: PrepStar - Top-100 “Dream Team” (national), No. 7 quarterback in the Nation / No. 15 prospect in Western Region
  • 1999: Also received recognition by these publications or websites: The Sporting News, Street and Smith’s, Bill Buchalter (Orlando Sentinel), Phil Gross’ G & W Recruiting Report, Prep America, Rivalnet, Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report, Bobby Burton’s National Recruiting Advisor, Couchscout and Gridiron Greats Magazine.
  • 1999: Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-State - Multi-Purpose selection
  • 1999: No. 5 quarterback prospect in the nation by Rivals100.com
  • 1999: Earned the Nike Camp Most Valuable Player honors at USC (Los Angeles) in May
  • 1999: Selected to attend the inaugural Nike “Elite 11” Quarterback Clinic
  • 1999: All-Serra League Second-Team Offense selection
  • 1999: Orange County Register Fab-15 Second-Team All-West Region selection
  • 1999: USA Today Honorable Mention All-USA selection
  • 1999: One of three preseason All-Americans to come out of SMCHS. The others were Carson Palmer in 1997 , a USC-commit and Connor O’Brien in 2013, a Washington-commit

COLLEGE CAREER:
Rix received a full scholarship to Florida State University (FSU) where he became the first, and only, four-year starting quarterback in Florida State history (2001-04), under Hall of Fame Coach Bobby Bowden. Despite a severe ankle injury suffered early during his senior season, Rix ranks second in every major passing category at FSU. During Rix’s career at Florida State, the Seminoles claimed three Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) titles and appeared in four-straight bowl games. Rix had his most successful season in 2003 when he passed for 3,107 yards and 23 touchdowns. He ranks second in school history in passes attempted, completed and touchdowns thrown. In 2001 Chris was the Florida State Practice Team player of the year. In 2001 he was an All-American All-Freshman Team selection by The Sporting News and the Atlantic Coast Conference “Rookie of the Year”. In 2002 Chris was honored as the ACC Freshman of the year after breaking the ACC single season freshman total yardage record.

He earned freshman All-American honors, was named the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2001 and received All Conference recognition throughout his career. Despite missing nearly his entire senior season due to a severe ankle injury, Rix ranks second in FSU history in nearly every passing category, including passing yardage, attempts, completions and touchdowns thrown. Rix graduated from FSU with a Bachelor of Science Degree studying Sociology and Communications. Following his college career that included three ACC titles and four-straight bowl appearances, Rix went on to the NFL where the San Diego Chargers acquired him as a free agent. After his time in San Diego, Rix followed his heart and started his careers in both broadcasting and coaching.

FLORIDA STATE RECORD BOOK

Single-Game

  • Most Single-Game Pass Completions: 30 (Tied-9th) vs., Colorado 2003
  • Personal-Best Passing Yards: 394 vs. Colorado 2003
  • Most Single-Game Total Offense Yards: 416 (20th) at Clemson 2001

Season

  • Most Single-Season Passing Yards: 3,107 (9th) 2003
  • Most Single-Season Passing Yards: 2,734 (16th) 2001
  • Most Single-Season Pass Completions: 216 (10th) 2003
  • Most Consecutive 300-Yard Passing Games: 3 (Tied-1st) 2001
  • Most Single-Season Touchdown Passes: 24 (6th) 2001
  • Most Single-Season Touchdown Passes: 23 (7th) 2003
  • Team Passing Leader: 2001, 2002 & 2003
  • Most Single-Season Total Offense - Yards: 3,237 (8th) 2003
  • Most Single-Season Total Offense - Yards: 3,123 (11th) 2001
  • Team Total Offense Leader: 2001, 2002 & 2003

Career

  • Most Career Passing Yards: 8,390 (2nd)
  • Most Career Pass Completions: 575 (5th)
  • Most Career Touchdown Passes: 63 (3rd)
  • Most Career 300-Yard Passing Games: 8 (4th)
  • Most Career Wins by Starting Quarterback: 28 (2nd) / Overall Record 28-11 (.781)
  • Most Career Rushing Yards by Quarterback: 823 (4th)
  • Most Career Total Offense - Yards: 9,213 (2nd)
  • Most Career Offensive Plays: 1,348 (1st)

 

ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE (ACC) RECORD BOOK

Season

  • Most Single-Season Passing Yards by Freshman: 2,734 (10th) 2001
  • Most Single-Season Touchdown Passes by Freshman: 24 (6th) 2001
  • Conference Passing Leader: 2001
  • Most Single-Season Offense Yards-per-Play: 8.11 (10th) 2001
  • Most Single-Season Yards-per-Pass Attempt: 9.56 (5th) 2001
  • Most Single-Season Total Offense by Freshman: 3,123 (8th) 2001

Career

  • Most Career Passing Yards: 8,390 (26th)
  • Most Career Touchdowns Responsible For: 75 (11th)
  • Most Career Total Offense - Yards: 9,213 (Tied-22nd)
  • Most Single-Season Touchdown Passes Through Sophomore Season: 37 (Tied-7th)

 

BROADCASTING CAREER
Amazingly, Rix went undrafted in the 2005 NFL Draft. He was invited to the San Diego Chargers’ rookie camp on a tryout basis. Within the same year he began a career in sports broadcasting, first as a high school football analyst for Fox Sports Net in Los Angeles. In 2005, he worked as a college football analyst for Fox Sports Radio. Then in 2006 he signed with College Sports Television, a division of CBS, to work as a color commentator and analyst in their coverage of college football games. Rix was the sideline reporter for Fox Sports for the 2006 Cotton Bowl Classic between Texas Tech and Alabama as well as a Fox NFL game between the San Diego Chargers and the Arizona Cardinals. In 2007, Rix served as a college football studio analyst for ABC in Los Angeles.

Rix currently is a college football and NFL analyst for Fox Sports Radio. He is also a regular contributor on the Chris Myers and Steve Hartman Show, along with hosting Fox Gametime segments as a part of the Clear Channel Radio affiliate. Rix has served in many capacities as a high school, college and professional football analyst, color commentator, sideline analyst and host. Since 2005, Rix has worked for other major network affiliates including Fox, CBS-College Sports Television (CSTV), ABC and ESPN. Rix can also be seen weekly on the CIF-Southern Section “Game of the Week” broadcasted on Fox Sports West and the FSW Prep Zone.

Rix served as the master of ceremonies for the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship Breakfast on January 5, 2010 that featured the Texas Longhorns and the Alabama Crimson Tide. The event was hosted by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in which Rix is also currently on staff as a Director of Ministries in Southern California. Rix is often requested as a motivational and inspirational speaker as well as master of ceremonies for various community events, golf tournaments and charity fundraisers.

COACHING & MINISTRY WORK
After his playing career Rix founded the Champion Training Academy and The Champion Organization. The venture focuses on developing and mentoring young athletes. In the spring of 2008, Bishop Amat High School named Rix as the school’s varsity quarterbacks coach. Following one successful season, Rix resigned as a full-time coach to focus on family, sportscasting and ministry.

As a coach, Rix has been the quarterback coach at the high school level for Bishop Amat Memorial (La Puente), South Hills (West Covina) and Bonita (la Verne). Rix has also served as an offensive consultant for various CIF-Southern Section and Los Angeles City Section football programs and camps since 2005.

In 2010, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes sports ministry hired Rix, where he serves on staff as the Director of Ministries for the San Gabriel Valley in the Los Angeles area. Rix runs the Champion Training Academy for young, aspiring elite athletes. He also runs the Physical Education department at the Western Christian Schools Private Satellite Program.