Anthony Carter is a former professional football wide receiver. He finished his college career as the University of Michigan's all-time leading receiver and played professionally for 13 years in the United States Football League and the NFL.

After the 1985 USFL season, Carter signed with the NFL's Miami Dolphins, who drafted Carter back in 1983 in order to secure his NFL rights. However, he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings before playing a game with the team. He led the Vikings in receptions five of his first six seasons with the team, and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1987, 1988, and 1989. In the 1987 season, Carter helped his team reach the NFC championship. He set an NFL playoff record (since surpassed) with 143 punt return yards in their wildcard win over the New Orleans Saints, and caught 10 receptions for a then NFL playoff record 227 yards, along with 1 carry for 30 yards and two punt returns for 21 in the Vikings 36-24 upset win over the 13-2 San Francisco 49ers in the divisional playoff round. The 642 all purpose yards he gained in the 1987 playoffs remain a single postseason record.

In 2001 Carter was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. On December 12, 2014 the Big Ten Network included Carter on "The Mount Rushmore of Michigan Football", as chosen by online fan voting. Carter was joined in the honor by Charles Woodson, Tom Harmon, and Desmond Howard.