Asante Samuel
Encyclopedia
Asante T. Samuel is an American football
cornerback
for the Philadelphia Eagles
of the National Football League
(NFL). He was drafted by the New England Patriots
in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Central Florida.
An All-Pro
and Pro Bowl
selection in 2007 and Pro Bowl
selections in 2008, 2009 and 2010, Samuel won two Super Bowl ring
s with the Patriots. Through the 2010 season, he has made the postseason in every one of his eight years in the NFL.
in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida
. As a junior quarterback
, he threw for 1,800 yards, and rushed for 500 yards. As a senior, Samuel concentrated on defense, and earned All-State honors, and finished his senior year with 4 interceptions and 75 tackles. Samuel also handled kicking and punting duties. Ten minutes before kickoff of Samuel's final high school game, he replaced his team's injured starting quarterback. He threw two touchdown passes, intercepted two more, rushed for 80 yards, and even worked on special teams returning kicks and punts. Samuel's top receiver in high school, Todd Devoe
, later played for the Baltimore Ravens
and Denver Broncos
, and was a friend & teammate of future NFL defensive back Benny Sapp
. Samuel decreased his 40 yard dash
time from 5.4 seconds during his sophomore year of high school to 4.49 seconds entering the NFL.
, and finished his career with 127 tackles
(102 solo, 25 assisted), 8 interceptions, and a school-record 38 passes deflected
(the previous record was 34 deflections). Samuel also returned 63 punt
s for 673 yard
s, for an average of 10.7 yards per return.
, with the 120th overall pick, Samuel was drafted by the Patriots along with Ty Warren
, Bethel Johnson
, Eugene Wilson, and Dan Koppen
.
At the start of the 2004 season, the Patriots' starting corners were Tyrone Poole
and Ty Law
. After both were sidelined by injuries, Samuel became a starter, and actually started for the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX
. He would start at corner the following season.
In 2006, the Patriots began the season with Samuel and Ellis Hobbs
at cornerback. By the end of the regular season, Samuel had intercepted a career-high 10 passes, which put him in a tie for first in the 2006 season (with Champ Bailey
of the Broncos); the mark is the second-best ever for a Patriot (in 1964 Ron Hall
had 11). Samuel tied the Patriots' mark for most interceptions in a game when he picked off three passes in a week 12 game against the Chicago Bears
.
He intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown twice in the 2006 NFL Playoffs: first against the New York Jets
to clinch their 1st round victory and then in the AFC Championship Game
against the Indianapolis Colts
to extend the lead to 21–3.
On February 16, 2007, the Patriots placed the franchise tag
on him. After holding out for most of the preseason, Samuel signed the one-year $7.79 million tender on August 27, 2007 to fulfill his obligation under the franchise tag. He was eligible for free agency again at the end of the 2007 season. According to the Boston Globe, if Samuel participated in 60% of the defensive snaps or the Patriots win 12 games, his contract stipulated that the team would not place the franchise tag on him for the following season. Samuel finished the 2007 regular season with six interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. During his franchised season, he was named to the 2008 Pro Bowl
and helped lead the Patriots to Super Bowl XLII
. However with the Patriots leading 14-10 with under 2 minutes to go, Samuel dropped what would have been the game clinching interception and an unprecedented 19-0 season. Eli Manning
completed The Helmet Catch to David Tyree
seconds later to help win the game for the Giants.
.jpg)
. Later that day, he signed a six-year, $56 million contract with the Eagles. Upon being signed, Samuel was quoted as saying, “I just want to be able to win and get back to the Super Bowl.” On August 22, 2008 he made his return to New England during the third week of the preseason. Asante Samuel made his regular season Eagles debut on September 7, 2008 against the St. Louis Rams
. He was a Pro Bowl Reserve for his stellar play with 4 interceptions and one touchdown. It was Samuel's 2nd appearance in the Pro Bowl, his 1st with the Philadelphia Eagles. On January 4, 2009, Samuel returned an interception for a 44 yard touchdown, his fourth interception returned for a touchdown in the postseason which set a NFL record. The following week, Samuel picked off Eli Manning
, returning the ball to the Giants'
two-yard line. This marked his seventh career postseason interception, which after Rodney Harrison
's retirement is the most career postseason interceptions among active players. Samuel and Harrison are now tied at fifth in NFL history for career postseason interceptions.
, Samuel made his eighth interception of the year to break Troy Vincent
's record of seven interceptions in a season under head coach Andy Reid
. Vincent set the record during the 1999 season
.
With nine interceptions, Samuel is now tied for second in Eagles history for interceptions in a season, with Don Burroughs
(1960
) and Ed "Bibbles" Bawel (1955
).
Samuel was selected to the 2010 Pro Bowl
as a starter.
Since 2006, Samuel has had more interceptions than any other player currently in the NFL. Samuel has a combined total of 43 career interceptions .
song that Samuel liked in college.
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...
cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
for the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL). He was drafted by the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft
2003 NFL Draft
The 2003 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft was held April 26–27, 2003 at the Theatre at...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Central Florida.
An All-Pro
All-Pro
All-Pro is a term mostly used in the NFL for the best players of each position during that season. It began as polls of sportswriters in the early 1920s...
and Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
selection in 2007 and Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
selections in 2008, 2009 and 2010, Samuel won two Super Bowl ring
Super Bowl ring
The Super Bowl ring is an award in the National Football League given to the winners of the league's annual championship game, the Super Bowl...
s with the Patriots. Through the 2010 season, he has made the postseason in every one of his eight years in the NFL.
Early years
Samuel attended Boyd H. Anderson High SchoolBoyd H. Anderson High School
Boyd H. Anderson High School is a high school in Broward County. Boyd H. Anderson serves Lauderdale Lakes, and parts of Tamarac, Oakland Park, Fort Lauderdale and Lauderhill.The school is named after the third County Judge of Broward County, Boyd H...
in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida
Lauderdale Lakes, Florida
Lauderdale Lakes is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 32,593. It is part of the Miami–Fort Lauderdale–Pompano Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is home to 5,564,635 people....
. As a junior quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
, he threw for 1,800 yards, and rushed for 500 yards. As a senior, Samuel concentrated on defense, and earned All-State honors, and finished his senior year with 4 interceptions and 75 tackles. Samuel also handled kicking and punting duties. Ten minutes before kickoff of Samuel's final high school game, he replaced his team's injured starting quarterback. He threw two touchdown passes, intercepted two more, rushed for 80 yards, and even worked on special teams returning kicks and punts. Samuel's top receiver in high school, Todd Devoe
Todd Devoe
Todd Vaughn Devoe is an American football wide receiver for the Kansas City Command of Arena Football League. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2003...
, later played 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 Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and was a friend & teammate of future NFL defensive back Benny Sapp
Benny Sapp
Benjamin Lee Sapp, II is an American football cornerback who is currently a member of the Minnesota Vikings. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2004...
. Samuel decreased his 40 yard dash
40 yard dash
The 40-yard dash is a sprint covering . It is primarily run to evaluate the speed of American football players by scouts, particularly for the NFL Draft but also for collegiate recruiting. A player's recorded time in the 40 can have a heavy impact on his prospects in college or professional football...
time from 5.4 seconds during his sophomore year of high school to 4.49 seconds entering the NFL.
College career
Majoring in business, Samuel attended the University of Central FloridaUniversity of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
, and finished his career with 127 tackles
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
(102 solo, 25 assisted), 8 interceptions, and a school-record 38 passes deflected
Pass deflected
In American football a pass deflected, also known as a pass defended, a pass defensed, a pass knock down, or a pass break up, is an incomplete pass that is caused by a defensive player...
(the previous record was 34 deflections). Samuel also returned 63 punt
Punt (football)
In some codes of football, a punt is a play in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. A punt is in contrast to a drop kick, in which the ball touches the ground before being kicked....
s for 673 yard
Yard
A yard is a unit of length in several different systems including English units, Imperial units and United States customary units. It is equal to 3 feet or 36 inches...
s, for an average of 10.7 yards per return.
New England Patriots
In the fourth round of the 2003 NFL draft2003 NFL Draft
The 2003 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft was held April 26–27, 2003 at the Theatre at...
, with the 120th overall pick, Samuel was drafted by the Patriots along with Ty Warren
Ty Warren
Ty'ron "Ty" Markeith Warren is an American football defensive tackle for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
, Bethel Johnson
Bethel Johnson
Bethel Johnson is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas A&M....
, Eugene Wilson, and Dan Koppen
Dan Koppen
Daniel Koppen is an American football center for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
.
At the start of the 2004 season, the Patriots' starting corners were Tyrone Poole
Tyrone Poole
Tyrone Poole is a retired American professional football player who played 13 seasons as a cornerback in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers 22nd overall of the 1995 NFL Draft...
and Ty Law
Ty Law
Tajuan "Ty" Law is a retired football cornerback of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots 23rd overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan....
. After both were sidelined by injuries, Samuel became a starter, and actually started for the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX
Super Bowl XXXIX
Super Bowl XXXIX was an American football game played on February 6, 2005, at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, to decide the National Football League champion following the 2004 regular season...
. He would start at corner the following season.
In 2006, the Patriots began the season with Samuel and Ellis Hobbs
Ellis Hobbs
Ellis Hobbs III is a former American football cornerback who played for six seasons in the National Football League. He played college football for Iowa State. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft and played for them from 2005–2008...
at cornerback. By the end of the regular season, Samuel had intercepted a career-high 10 passes, which put him in a tie for first in the 2006 season (with Champ Bailey
Champ Bailey
Roland "Champ" Bailey is an American football cornerback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. Bailey was drafted in the 1st round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. He played college football at the University of Georgia.Bailey is 8th among Broncos in all-time...
of the Broncos); the mark is the second-best ever for a Patriot (in 1964 Ron Hall
Ron Hall (defensive back)
For the tight end of the same name see Ron Hall .Ron Hall was an American collegiate and professional American football player. As safety, he played collegiately at Missouri Valley College, where he was a 1971 inductee to the school's Athletic Hall of Fame...
had 11). Samuel tied the Patriots' mark for most interceptions in a game when he picked off three passes in a week 12 game against the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
He intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown twice in the 2006 NFL Playoffs: first against the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
to clinch their 1st round victory and then in the AFC Championship Game
AFC Championship Game
The American Football Conference Championship Game is one of the two final playoff matches of the National Football League, the largest professional American football league in the United States. The game is played on the penultimate Sunday in January and determines the champion of the American...
against the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
to extend the lead to 21–3.
On February 16, 2007, the Patriots placed the franchise tag
Franchise Tag
In the National Football League, the franchise tag is a designation a team may apply to a player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. The tag binds the player to the team for one year if certain conditions are met. Each team has access each year to only one franchise tag and one...
on him. After holding out for most of the preseason, Samuel signed the one-year $7.79 million tender on August 27, 2007 to fulfill his obligation under the franchise tag. He was eligible for free agency again at the end of the 2007 season. According to the Boston Globe, if Samuel participated in 60% of the defensive snaps or the Patriots win 12 games, his contract stipulated that the team would not place the franchise tag on him for the following season. Samuel finished the 2007 regular season with six interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. During his franchised season, he was named to the 2008 Pro Bowl
2008 Pro Bowl
The 2008 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was the NFL's all-star game for the 2007 season. It was played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii on February 10, 2008. The game was televised in the United States by Fox and began shortly after 11:40am local time . The NFC won, 42–30, despite a 17-point first half AFC...
and helped lead the Patriots to Super Bowl XLII
Super Bowl XLII
Super Bowl XLII was an American football game on February 3, 2008 that featured the National Football Conference champion New York Giants and the American Football Conference champion New England Patriots to decide the National Football League champion for the 2007 season...
. However with the Patriots leading 14-10 with under 2 minutes to go, Samuel dropped what would have been the game clinching interception and an unprecedented 19-0 season. Eli Manning
Eli Manning
Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
completed The Helmet Catch to David Tyree
David Tyree
David Mikel Tyree is a retired American football wide receiver and special teams player. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Syracuse University. Tyree has also played for the Baltimore Ravens...
seconds later to help win the game for the Giants.
Philadelphia Eagles
2008 season
Samuel was thought to be one of the most sought-after free agents of the 2008 NFL offseason. Within minutes of the start of free agency on February 29, 2008, Samuel was reportedly already setting up a meeting with the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Later that day, he signed a six-year, $56 million contract with the Eagles. Upon being signed, Samuel was quoted as saying, “I just want to be able to win and get back to the Super Bowl.” On August 22, 2008 he made his return to New England during the third week of the preseason. Asante Samuel made his regular season Eagles debut on September 7, 2008 against the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
. He was a Pro Bowl Reserve for his stellar play with 4 interceptions and one touchdown. It was Samuel's 2nd appearance in the Pro Bowl, his 1st with the Philadelphia Eagles. On January 4, 2009, Samuel returned an interception for a 44 yard touchdown, his fourth interception returned for a touchdown in the postseason which set a NFL record. The following week, Samuel picked off Eli Manning
Eli Manning
Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
, returning the ball to the Giants'
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
two-yard line. This marked his seventh career postseason interception, which after Rodney Harrison
Rodney Harrison
Rodney Scott Harrison is a retired professional football player of the National Football League. Harrison played safety for the San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots...
's retirement is the most career postseason interceptions among active players. Samuel and Harrison are now tied at fifth in NFL history for career postseason interceptions.
2009 season
On December 20, 2009 against the San Francisco 49ers2009 San Francisco 49ers season
The 2009 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 64th season, and the first full year with Mike Singletary as head coach after being named interim head coach in 2008. It is the seventh year in which the 49ers have their seventh offensive coordinator...
, Samuel made his eighth interception of the year to break Troy Vincent
Troy Vincent
Troy Darnell Vincent is a former Defensive Back for the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins with the 7th overall pick in the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wisconsin.Mr...
's record of seven interceptions in a season under head coach Andy Reid
Andy Reid
Andrew Walter "Andy" Reid is the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL, a post he has held since 1999. Since 2001, he has also been the team's executive vice president of football operations...
. Vincent set the record during the 1999 season
1999 Philadelphia Eagles season
The 1999 Philadelphia Eagles season was Donovan McNabb’s rookie season. The Eagles hired Andy Reid away from the Green Bay Packers to be their new head coach. As of the start of the 2011 season, he is the longest tenured coach in the league.-NFL Draft:...
.
With nine interceptions, Samuel is now tied for second in Eagles history for interceptions in a season, with Don Burroughs
Don Burroughs
Donald Edward Burroughs was an American football defensive back in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Colorado State University. Burroughs was notable for his 6'5" height, an anomaly at the safety position. In 2006,...
(1960
1960 NFL season
The 1960 NFL season was the 41st regular season of the National Football League. Before the season, Pete Rozelle was elected NFL commissioner as a compromise choice on the twenty-third ballot. Meanwhile, the league expanded to 13 teams with the addition of the Dallas Cowboys. Also, the Cardinals...
) and Ed "Bibbles" Bawel (1955
1955 NFL season
The 1955 NFL season was the 36th regular season of the National Football League. NBC paid $100,000 to replace DuMont as the national television network for the NFL Championship Game...
).
Samuel was selected to the 2010 Pro Bowl
2010 Pro Bowl
The 2010 AFC–NFC Pro Bowl was the NFL's all-star game for the 2009 season. It took place at 8:00 PM EST on Sunday, January 31, 2010, at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, the home stadium of the Miami Dolphins and host site of Super Bowl XLIV...
as a starter.
Since 2006, Samuel has had more interceptions than any other player currently in the NFL. Samuel has a combined total of 43 career interceptions .
Personal
Samuel has a tattoo on his left arm that says "Get Rich To This." It was widely reported during Samuel's post-2006 season contract situation that the tattoo said "Get Paid". Samuel's tattoo is the name of a Goodie MobGoodie Mob
Goodie Mob is a Hip Hop act based in Atlanta, Georgia that formed in 1991 and currently consists of members Cee-Lo Green, Khujo, T-Mo and Big Gipp.-History:The group's name acts as a double backronym...
song that Samuel liked in college.