Background
Carpenter was born in Flint, Michigan, in 1960.
Carpenter was born in Flint, Michigan, in 1960.
He attended Flint Southwestern High School.
He played college football as a defensive back for the University of Michigan from 1978 to 1981. He then played professional football as a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants (1982), the Washington Redskins (1983-1984), and the Buffalo Bills (1984). Carpenter enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1978 and played college football as a defensive back for Bo Schembechler"s Michigan Wolverines football teams from 1978 to 1981.
As a junior, he started 11 of 12 games at wide side cornerback for the 1980 Wolverines that compiled a 10-2 record, finished #4 in the Associated Press and United Press International polls, and outscored opponents 322 to 129.
Carpenter totaled 25 tackles, seven assists and five interceptions during the season. He also was a part of a defense that didn"t allow a touchdown for 22 consecutive quarters.
As a senior, he started 8 of 12 games for the 1981 Wolverines, after missing time with a sprained left ankle. He was selected by the conference coaches as a second-team defensive back on the 1981 All-Big Ten Conference football team
Dallas Cowboys
Carpenter was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (101st overall pick) of the 1982 NFL Draft.
He was waived on September 6. New York Giants
On September 16, 1982, he signed as a free agent with the New York Giants. He appeared in four games, none of them as a starter.
He was released on August 28, 1983.
Washington Redskins
On August 30, 1983, he was claimed off waivers by the Washington Redskins. He appeared in 15 games, none as a starter.
The next year, he appeared in four games as a backup, before being traded to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a draft choice on September 19, 1984. Buffalo Bills
In 1984, he appeared in 13 games for the Buffalo Bills and saw his first action as an NFL starter, starting 10 games at left cornerback.
He was released on August 19, 1985.
During his three-year career, he appeared in 35 games, intercepted four passes and recovered two fumbles.