Chris Canty is a former professional American football player and sports media personality. He played as a defensive end in the National Football League for 11 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and Baltimore Ravens. The Super Bowl XLVI champion now works as a co-host of ESPN Radio’s morning show and appears as an analyst on ESPN’s First Take.
Chris Canty Wikipedia
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Christopher Lee Canty |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | November 10, 1982 |
| Age | 43 years old (as of December 2025) |
| Place of birth | The Bronx, New York, United States |
| Current residence | Charlotte, North Carolina/Hilton Head, South Carolina |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Zodiac sign | Scorpio |
| Religion | Christian |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) |
| Weight | 317 lbs (143 kg) |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Dark brown |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Melanie Richards |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents | Joseph Canty Sr. and Shirley Canty |
| Alma mater | University of Virginia, Charlotte Latin School |
| Profession | Sports analyst, radio host, former NFL player |
| Net worth | $15-17 million (estimated) |
Who is Chris Canty?
Christopher Lee Canty is a former NFL defensive end who transitioned into sports broadcasting after retiring from professional football. He played college football at the University of Virginia before being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2005. The Bronx native spent 11 seasons in the NFL and won Super Bowl XLVI with the New York Giants in 2012.
Chris is known for his work as a co-host on ESPN Radio’s morning drive show, Unsportsmanlike with Evan, Canty, and Michelle, which airs nationally. He also appears regularly as an analyst on ESPN’s First Take, providing commentary on NFL games and sports topics.
How old is Chris Canty? Age and birthday
Chris Canty is 43 years old as of December 2025. He was born on November 10, 1982, in The Bronx, New York. His zodiac sign is Scorpio.
Where did Chris Canty grow up?
Chris Canty was born in The Bronx, New York, where he grew up in the Co-op City section of the borough. At age 15, his family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. His father, Joseph Canty Sr., worked as a top official in the New York State Health Department. His mother, Shirley Canty, served as a Methodist pastor. The move to Charlotte proved beneficial for Chris’s athletic development and future career.
Chris Canty’s education
Chris attended Charlotte Latin School in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he played both football and basketball. At Charlotte Latin, he played as a defensive end and tight end, earning all-state honors at both positions during his senior year.
He enrolled at the University of Virginia in 2001, where he played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers from 2001 to 2004. Chris earned a bachelor’s degree in African-American studies in 2004 and took graduate coursework in secondary education during his senior year.
Chris Canty’s career
College football career
While at the University of Virginia, Chris was a two-time second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection. He led all conference defensive linemen in tackles as both a sophomore and junior. His performance at Virginia caught the attention of NFL scouts and positioned him for the professional draft.
NFL career
Dallas Cowboys (2005-2008)
Chris was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft as the 132nd overall pick. He spent four seasons with the Cowboys, developing into a reliable defensive end. During his time in Dallas, he played alongside other notable players from the talented 2005 draft class, including DeMarcus Ware and Marion Barber.
New York Giants (2009-2012)
In 2009, Chris signed a six-year contract with the New York Giants. His time with the Giants marked the peak of his NFL career. In 2012, he played a role in the Giants’ remarkable playoff run that culminated in winning Super Bowl XLVI against the New England Patriots with a score of 21-17. Chris recorded career-high statistics during the 2011 season with 47 tackles and 4.0 sacks.
The Giants released Chris in February 2013 as part of roster changes.
Baltimore Ravens (2013-2015)
Chris signed a three-year, $8 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens on March 12, 2013. He played as a left defensive end in the Ravens’ 3-4 defense. Over two seasons with Baltimore, he appeared in 26 games with 24 starts, recording 63 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. He battled ankle injuries and a staph infection in his wrist during the 2014 season. The Ravens released him in February 2015, then re-signed him in March 2015 before his final season.
Chris retired from professional football after the 2015 season with career totals of 232 solo tackles and 22.5 sacks across 148 games.
Broadcasting career
After retiring from football, Chris began his media career as a radio personality. He started locally in New York City on ESPN New York 98.7 FM, co-hosting the “DiPietro, Canty, & Rothenberg” radio program with former New York Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro and Dave Rothenberg.
In 2020, Chris joined ESPN’s national radio network. He initially hosted afternoon drive programming before moving to morning drive in 2021. On September 5, 2023, Chris became co-host of ESPN Radio’s signature morning show, Unsportsmanlike with Evan, Canty, and Michelle, alongside Evan Cohen and Michelle Smallmon. The show airs weekday mornings and is simulcast on ESPNU.
Chris also appears as a regular analyst on ESPN’s First Take, where he provides NFL commentary and sports analysis. As of December 2025, he continues to be an active voice on ESPN platforms, sharing his insights on football and sports topics.
What is Chris Canty’s net worth?
As of 2025, Chris Canty’s net worth is estimated between $15 million and $17 million. He accumulated his wealth through his 11-year NFL career and his current work with ESPN. During his NFL career, Chris earned approximately $39.8 million in total salary.
His largest contract came with the New York Giants, where he signed a six-year deal worth significant guaranteed money. With the Baltimore Ravens, he signed a three-year, $8 million contract in 2013. Chris now earns income from his ESPN Radio hosting duties and television appearances on First Take.
Is Chris Canty married? Wife and children
Chris Canty is married to Melanie Richards. The couple said “I do” at the Chicago Cultural Center in an ethereal wedding ceremony in 2023. Melanie works as a YouTube Product Marketing Manager.
Chris and Melanie have two children together. The former NFL star keeps most details about his children private, rarely sharing their names or ages publicly.
Before marrying Melanie, Chris was previously in a relationship, but details about his dating history remain largely private. The Canty family splits time between residences in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Chris Canty’s height and weight
Chris Canty stands 6 feet 7 inches (201 cm) tall and weighed approximately 317 pounds (143 kg) during his playing career. His impressive size made him one of the larger defensive ends in the NFL and allowed him to be effective against both the run and pass.
Chris Canty Foundation
Chris founded The Chris Canty Foundation in November 2007, dedicating himself to youth development in communities. The foundation focuses on enhancing the total development of youth through mentoring, educational programs, and health and fitness activities.
The foundation’s mission is to utilize the platform of sports to create positive change in children’s lives. Programs include educational resources for underserved children, service outreach initiatives, and youth football camps. Chris has hosted football camps in Charlotte at his alma mater, Charlotte Latin School, and has expanded his charitable work to include various community initiatives.
The Chris Canty Foundation Leadership Council consists of professionals throughout the country dedicated to supporting youth development initiatives.
Fast Facts about Chris Canty
- Chris was inducted into the Charlotte Latin School Athletic Hall of Fame for his achievements in football and basketball.
- He surprisingly began his athletic career at Charlotte Latin on the basketball court before becoming a football star.
- Chris is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
- He predicted the Giants would defeat the Patriots 28-17 via Twitter before Super Bowl XLVI. While the score was wrong, the Giants did win 21-17.
- His mother, Shirley Canty, was a Methodist pastor, and his father worked in the New York State Health Department.
- Chris moved from The Bronx to Charlotte, North Carolina, at age 15, which changed the trajectory of his athletic career.
- He owns property in New York City and has been involved in real estate investments.
- Chris served on the board of United Way NYC, demonstrating his commitment to community service.
- His 40-yard dash time was 4.98 seconds during his NFL combine evaluation.
- Chris hosts a YouTube channel where he discusses sports topics and interviews other athletes.
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Wrapping up
Chris Canty has successfully transitioned from a Super Bowl champion defensive end to a respected sports media personality. The 43-year-old ESPN Radio co-host and First Take analyst continues to influence the sports world through his broadcasting work. Married to Melanie Richards with two children, Chris balances his professional career with family life and philanthropic work through his foundation. His estimated net worth of $15-17 million reflects both his successful NFL career and ongoing work in sports media.
References
- Chris Canty (defensive lineman) – Wikipedia
- Chris Canty – ESPN Press Room U.S.
- Chris Canty Stats – Pro Football Reference
- Super Bowl XLVI Champion Chris Canty and Melanie Richards Wedding – Over The Moon
- Chris Canty Contract Details – Over the Cap
- Chris Canty Foundation
- Hall of Fame – Charlotte Latin School
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