Anthony Poindexter
Encyclopedia
Anthony Scott Poindexter (born 28 July 1976 in Lynchburg, Virginia
) is a former American football
player for the Baltimore Ravens
and Cleveland Browns
. He is the current defensive backs coach for the University of Virginia
where he graduated.
with #3, and was compared to NFL players such as Ronnie Lott
for his hard hitting style. As a redshirt
freshman in 1995, Poindexter teamed with fellow defensive back
Adrian Burnim in one of the most famous plays in Cavalier history as the two stopped Florida States' running back Warrick Dunn
inches from the endzone on the last play of the game which preserved Virginia's 33-28 victory over the Seminoles. That was the first time Virginia or any other ACC team had defeated the Seminoles in conference play. In 1996 he made a school record with 98 tackles and as a junior in 1997 he had his first All-American season with 78 tackles. As a junior Poindexter had the choice between declaring himself for the 1998 NFL Draft
or staying in college for his senior year. Draft experts projected that he would likely be drafted in the first round, but Poindexter stayed at Virginia for his senior season. The Cavaliers were expected to have a very strong team and were ranked as high as the top ten. In the first seven games of the season, Poindexter made 73 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions.
In a game against N.C. State in 1998, Poindexter made a tackle on wide receiver
Chris Coleman but he twisted his left leg and tore his ACL and two other ligaments. His season was over at Virginia and possibly his professional career. He could not participate in the NFL Scouting Combine or the Virginia Pro Day.
who dared to take a chance on Poindexter by drafting him in the seventh round with the 216th overall pick. In his rookie-season he was placed on the injured reserve
list and he returned for the Ravens' championship season in 2000. He played in 10 games on special teams where he caused one forced fumble. He did not play in Super Bowl XXXV
however. Shortly after the game he was released, but was picked up by the Cleveland Browns
in June. He was released again in September that same year and never played another NFL game.
.
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 75,568 as of 2010. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or "The Hill City." Lynchburg was the only major city in...
) is a former American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player for the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
and Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He is the current defensive backs coach for the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
where he graduated.
College career
Anthony Poindexter played safety for the University of Virginia CavaliersVirginia Cavaliers football
Virginia Cavaliers football is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I-FBS and the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
with #3, and was compared to NFL players such as Ronnie Lott
Ronnie Lott
Ronald Mandel "Ronnie" Lott is a former American football player who starred as a cornerback, free safety, and strong safety in college football and the NFL. He is most well known for his crushing hits on opposing players...
for his hard hitting style. As a redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
freshman in 1995, Poindexter teamed with fellow defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
Adrian Burnim in one of the most famous plays in Cavalier history as the two stopped Florida States' running back Warrick Dunn
Warrick Dunn
Warrick De'Mon Dunn is a former American football running back, and current minority owner of the Atlanta Falcons. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12th overall in the 1997 NFL Draft, after playing college football at Florida State...
inches from the endzone on the last play of the game which preserved Virginia's 33-28 victory over the Seminoles. That was the first time Virginia or any other ACC team had defeated the Seminoles in conference play. In 1996 he made a school record with 98 tackles and as a junior in 1997 he had his first All-American season with 78 tackles. As a junior Poindexter had the choice between declaring himself for the 1998 NFL Draft
1998 NFL Draft
The 1998 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 18-19, 1998...
or staying in college for his senior year. Draft experts projected that he would likely be drafted in the first round, but Poindexter stayed at Virginia for his senior season. The Cavaliers were expected to have a very strong team and were ranked as high as the top ten. In the first seven games of the season, Poindexter made 73 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions.
In a game against N.C. State in 1998, Poindexter made a tackle on wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Chris Coleman but he twisted his left leg and tore his ACL and two other ligaments. His season was over at Virginia and possibly his professional career. He could not participate in the NFL Scouting Combine or the Virginia Pro Day.
NFL career
His chances of getting drafted were slim and depended on the teams' doctors' opinions. It was the Baltimore RavensBaltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
who dared to take a chance on Poindexter by drafting him in the seventh round with the 216th overall pick. In his rookie-season he was placed on the injured reserve
Injured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
list and he returned for the Ravens' championship season in 2000. He played in 10 games on special teams where he caused one forced fumble. He did not play in Super Bowl XXXV
Super Bowl XXXV
Super Bowl XXXV was played on January 28, 2001 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida to decide the National Football League champion following the 2000 regular season. The American Football Conference champion Baltimore Ravens defeated the National Football Conference champion New York...
however. Shortly after the game he was released, but was picked up by the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in June. He was released again in September that same year and never played another NFL game.
Coaching career and aftermath
Currently, Poindexter is the Special Teams Coordinator and Safties Coach for his alma mater, the University of VirginiaVirginia Cavaliers football
Virginia Cavaliers football is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I-FBS and the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
.