Navorro Bowman
Encyclopedia
NaVorro R. Bowman is an American football
inside linebacker
for the San Francisco 49ers
, and played his collegiate football for the Penn State Nittany Lions football
team.
in Forestville, Maryland
. He missed most of his senior season with a shoulder injury, but he had a very impressive junior campaign in which he recorded 165 tackles
, 9 sacks
, and 3 fumble
recoveries as a linebacker and ran for 1,200 yards and 22 touchdown
s as a tailback
. He was named the Maryland Defensive Player-of-the-Year, first-team All-State, Washington Post first-team All-Met and first-team All-Conference. He was recruited to Penn State by Larry Johnson, Sr.
ing the 2006 season, Bowman played in nine games in 2007. He missed two games due to a sprained ankle suffered at Illinois
. He recorded 16 tackles, with a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a blocked kick and a pass breakup that season.
Bowman was suspended for the last 2007 regular-season game versus Michigan State
, the 2007 Alamo Bowl
and 2008's spring practice for his involvement in an altercation at the HUB-Robeson Center
, for which he pled guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct
charges.
n linebacker Dan Connor
and the injury to presumptive starter Sean Lee
resulted in increased playing time for Bowman in 2008.
His first start came in week four versus Temple
. He recorded 11 tackles, including five tackles for loss and three sacks, a forced fumble and an interception
in the 45-3 win and was named Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week. At season's end, he was named a consensus first team All-Big Ten.
. On the second day of the 2010 NFL Draft, Bowman was selected in the third round with the 91st overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers
. He will wear number 53.
and Takeo Spikes
for two games due to injury.
NaVorro Bowman's statistics in 2010
during the offseason, Bowman became the starter at inside linebacker next to Patrick Willis. Bowman is currently the team leader in tackles.
s with future NFL-er Aaron Maybin
. He is pursuing a degree in Crime, Law & Justice.
Bowman speaks frequently by phone with former Nittany Lion linebacker LaVar Arrington
. The two first met during Arrington's stint with the Washington Redskins
, when Bowman was playing at nearby Suitland High School. This friendship, along with their similarity in playing styles, has earned Bowman the nickname "LaVorro".
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...
inside linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
, and played his collegiate football for the Penn State Nittany Lions football
Penn State Nittany Lions football
The Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
team.
Early years
Bowman started sports at a young age and was a member of District Heights boys and girls club, where he played both basketball and football and was invited to many All-star Events. Bowman was a standout player at Suitland High SchoolSuitland High School
Suitland High School is a public magnet high school located at 5200 Silver Hill Road, Forestville, Maryland 20747, long regarded for its Visual and Performing Arts magnet program...
in Forestville, Maryland
Forestville, Maryland
Forestville is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 12,707 at the 2000 census...
. He missed most of his senior season with a shoulder injury, but he had a very impressive junior campaign in which he recorded 165 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....
, 9 sacks
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
, and 3 fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
recoveries as a linebacker and ran for 1,200 yards and 22 touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s as a tailback
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
. He was named the Maryland Defensive Player-of-the-Year, first-team All-State, Washington Post first-team All-Met and first-team All-Conference. He was recruited to Penn State by Larry Johnson, Sr.
2007
After redshirtRedshirt (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...
ing the 2006 season, Bowman played in nine games in 2007. He missed two games due to a sprained ankle suffered at Illinois
Illinois Fighting Illini football
The Illinois Fighting Illini are a major college football program, representing the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. They compete in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference.-Current staff:-All-time win/loss/tie record:*563-513-51...
. He recorded 16 tackles, with a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a blocked kick and a pass breakup that season.
Bowman was suspended for the last 2007 regular-season game versus Michigan State
Michigan State Spartans football
The Michigan State Spartans football program represents Michigan State University in college football as members of the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level...
, the 2007 Alamo Bowl
2007 Alamo Bowl
The 2007 Valero Alamo Bowl is a college football bowl game that was part of the 2007–2008 bowl season of the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the 15th Alamo Bowl and the first Alamo Bowl sponsored by the Valero Energy Corporation...
and 2008's spring practice for his involvement in an altercation at the HUB-Robeson Center
Hetzel Union Building
The HUB–Robeson Center, commonly referred to as the "HUB" is the student union building centrally located on the University Park campus of Pennsylvania State University. It was originally built in 1953 and had major renovations done in 1973 and 1983. The most recent round of expansions and...
, for which he pled guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct
Disorderly conduct
Disorderly conduct is a criminal charge in most jurisdictions in the United States. Typically, disorderly conduct makes it a crime to be drunk in public, to "disturb the peace", or to loiter in certain areas. Many types of unruly conduct may fit the definition of disorderly conduct, as such...
charges.
2008
The graduation of All-AmericaAll-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n linebacker Dan Connor
Dan Connor (American football)
Daniel Murphy Connor is an American football linebacker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Panthers in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Penn State....
and the injury to presumptive starter Sean Lee
Sean Lee
Sean Patrick Lee is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Penn State.-Early life:...
resulted in increased playing time for Bowman in 2008.
His first start came in week four versus Temple
Temple Owls football
The Temple Owls football team participates in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference...
. He recorded 11 tackles, including five tackles for loss and three sacks, a forced fumble and an interception
Interception (football)
An interception, intercept or pick is a move in many forms of football, including Canadian and American football, as well as rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football and Gaelic football, which involves a pass, either by foot or hand, being caught by an opposition player, who usually...
in the 45-3 win and was named Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week. At season's end, he was named a consensus first team All-Big Ten.
2010 NFL Draft
On January 4, 2010, Bowman's mother announced his decision to forgo his final year of NCAA eligibility and enter the 2010 NFL Draft2010 NFL Draft
The 2010 NFL Draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. Unlike previous years, the 2010 draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first round on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 pm...
. On the second day of the 2010 NFL Draft, Bowman was selected in the third round with the 91st overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. He will wear number 53.
2010
Bowman played in all 16 games, starting in place of Patrick WillisPatrick Willis
Patrick L. Willis is an American football player who plays inside linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers 11th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft...
and Takeo Spikes
Takeo Spikes
Takeo Gerard Spikes is an American football linebacker for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals 13th overall in the 1998 NFL Draft...
for two games due to injury.
| Games | Comb | Tackles | Ast | Sacks | PDef | INT | TD | YDS | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 46 | 38 | 8 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
NaVorro Bowman's statistics in 2010
2011
With the 49ers deciding to let Takeo Spikes leave for the San Diego ChargersSan Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
during the offseason, Bowman became the starter at inside linebacker next to Patrick Willis. Bowman is currently the team leader in tackles.
Personal
Bowman was roommateRoommate
A roommate is a person who shares a living facility such as an apartment or dormitory. Similar terms include suitemate, housemate, flatmate , or sharemate...
s with future NFL-er Aaron Maybin
Aaron Maybin
-Buffalo Bills:On August 21, 2009, Maybin agreed to a five-year deal with the Buffalo Bills after being drafted with the 11th pick in the first round. He finished the season with 18 tackles and zero sacks while playing in all 16 regular season games during his 2009 rookie year.In his second season,...
. He is pursuing a degree in Crime, Law & Justice.
Bowman speaks frequently by phone with former Nittany Lion linebacker LaVar Arrington
LaVar Arrington
LaVar RaShad Arrington is a former American football linebacker of the National Football League. He was drafted second overall by the Washington Redskins in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Penn State for coach Joe Paterno.A two-time All-American at Penn State, Arrington played...
. The two first met during Arrington's stint with the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
, when Bowman was playing at nearby Suitland High School. This friendship, along with their similarity in playing styles, has earned Bowman the nickname "LaVorro".