Rattay's high school career began at Mesa High School in Mesa, Arizona. He did not take snaps as a sophomore or junior at Mesa High before transferring to Phoenix Christian when his father, Jim, became an assistant. Because he was a backup, Rattay did not play until his senior year at Phoenix Christian, where he set a school record with 40 touchdown passes in 1994.
College career
Scottsdale CC
Rattay was not scouted by a major college, so he played a year at Scottsdale Community College, where he beat out five quarterbacks ahead of him on the depth chart to earn the starting spot the week of the season opener. He led the nation’s junior-college quarterbacks in touchdown passes and yardage.
Louisiana Tech
Tim Rattay then transferred to Louisiana Tech, in Ruston. There he set several NCAA records, finishing his career with the NCAA Division I-A records for average passing yards per game, 386.2, and total offensive yards, 12,643. He was in the top 10 voting for the Heisman in 1998, which is awarded to the most outstanding college football player. In 1998, he broke school records as a senior with 4,943 yards and 46 touchdowns to finish with what was, at the time, third in NCAA history in single-season yardage. His 1998 season is, as of 2020, 19th all-time.
College statistics
Professional career
San Francisco 49ers
Tim Rattay entered the league as the seventh-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in the 2000 NFL Draft. Rattay outperformed fellow rookie Giovanni Carmazzi, who'd been taken in the third round, to earn a roster spot as a backup to longtime San Francisco quarterback Jeff Garcia. When Garcia was released from the team, largely due to salary cap constraints, Rattay was given the starting job. He won 2 of 3 games in 2003, throwing 7 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions, before getting injured. From 2004–2005 he went 2–11 playing for the 49ers.
On October 18, 2005, Rattay was acquired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 6th round 2006 NFL Draft pick from the San Francisco 49ers. This trade has been criticized by many, including former NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw. Late in the 2006 season, Rattay stepped in as the starting quarterback for the Buccaneers due to the poor play of Bruce Gradkowski. In the week 15 game against the Chicago Bears, he entered the game with Tampa Bay losing 14–3. Due to his strong performance, Tampa Bay tied the game at 31, but they eventually lost in overtime 34–31. This performance led coach Jon Gruden to name Rattay as the team's third different starting quarterback in the 2006 season.
Tennessee Titans
On May 9, 2007, Rattay signed as a free agent with the Tennessee Titans. The following month Gruden would name Jeff Garcia Rattay's successor as the Buccaneers' starting quarterback. Rattay signed with Tennessee to be a backup before 2007's training camp. He made the team's 53 man roster, but was cut the next day.
Arizona Cardinals
On October 9, 2007, Rattay signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals as a backup to Kurt Warner, following a season-ending collarbone injury to starting quarterback Matt Leinart. Rattay would replace Warner in goal-line situations, where he went 3 for 3 with all 3 being touchdowns. Rattay declined to sign for another year, and decided to test the free agent market. In September 2008, there were rumors that the New England Patriots considered signing Rattay after Tom Brady was lost for the entire 2008 season. In the 2000 NFL draft, the Patriots considered drafting Rattay but opted for Brady instead. The Patriots brought Rattay to Foxboro along with Chris Simms, but once they arrived, they were told that, since Matt Cassel had emerged, the situation had changed and Simms and Rattay were no longer needed in New England. A month later, Rattay worked out with the Detroit Lions, but they never made an offer to him.
Las Vegas Locomotives
In July 2009, Rattay signed with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. Head coachJim Fassel said that Rattay would serve as the backup to J. P. Losman. On November 21, Rattay started for an injured Losman and led the Locomotives with two touchdown passes in a blowout win against the New York Sentinels. On July 12, 2010 Rattay announced his retirement from professional football.
Career achievements
Rattay is one of only three 7th-round or undrafted quarterback since 1995 to pass for more than 400 yards in a game. Matt Cassel accomplished this twice in 2008, and Tony Romo in 2010.
Rattay broke the San Francisco 49ers team record for the most completions in a 31–28 win against the Arizona Cardinals on October 10, 2004, when he completed 38 passes, breaking Joe Montana's record of 37.
Rattay is the only quarterback in NFL history to throw three consecutive passes all going for touchdowns, as he did for the Arizona Cardinals in 2007.
Rattay was responsible for the biggest comeback in Buccaneers history on December 17, 2006, when he led the team back from a 21-point 3rd quarter deficit against the eventual NFC Champion Chicago Bears, throwing for three touchdowns in the fourth quarter and sending the game into overtime before the Buccaneers lost, 34–31.
