Luis Castillo (American football)

Last updated

Luis Castillo
Luis Castillo 2.jpg
Castillo in March 2008
No. 93
Position: Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1983-08-04) August 4, 1983 (age 40)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:290 lb (132 kg)
Career information
High school: Garfield (NJ)
College: Northwestern (2001–2004)
NFL draft: 2005  / Round: 1 / Pick: 28
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Tackles:210
Sacks:19
Forced fumbles:2
Fumble recoveries:2
Interceptions:2
Player stats at PFR

Luis Alberto Castillo (born August 4, 1983) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Northwestern Wildcats before being selected by the Chargers in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft. Castillo was one of the cover athletes for the Spanish language version of Madden NFL 08 . [1]

Contents

Early life

was born on August 4, 1983, in Garfield, New Jersey. [2] He attended Garfield High School, where he was team captain and team MVP of the football team, under coach Steven Mucha. [3]

College career

He attended Northwestern University, where he lived in Elder Hall for his freshman year. [4] He was a 2004 Pro Football Weekly All-American selection, a Second-team All-Big Ten, Academic All-American by ESPN and Second-team Academic All-Big Ten. In 2003, he was a First-team Academic All-District and Academic All-Big Ten. Again, a Second-team Academic All-District by CoSIDA and Academic All-Big Ten in 2002. Castillo finished career with 251 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 19.5 tackles for loss.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeight 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 3+3⁄8 in
(1.91 m)		303 lb
(137 kg)		4.85 s1.69 s2.82 s4.24 s34+1⁄2 in
(0.88 m)		9 ft 4 in
(2.84 m)		32 reps
Shuttle from Pro Day, all other values from NFL Combine. [5]

Positive drug test

Castillo made headlines at the 2005 NFL Combine when he sent a letter to all 32 NFL teams admitting to using androstenedione, a steroid hormone which increased the amount of testosterone his body produced, promoting muscle growth and healing in an effort to quicken the rehab process of a slow-healing injury so he could perform in all the drills at the 2005 NFL Combine. He claimed he used the steroids in an attempt to fully recover from an elbow injury suffered in the very first game of his senior year at Northwestern. Castillo hyper-extended his elbow, damaging the ulnar collateral ligament, basically preventing him from using one of his arms. Being the team captain, he felt an obligation to fight through the pain and finish the year.

In an interview with Peter King, Castillo said:

"So I got shot up before games and just endured the pain,["] Castillo told me. "There were a lot of tough moments. The pain was unbelievable. I had the option of taking a medical redshirt after our third game. I could have come back for a fifth year if I stopped playing then. I could have had surgery, and either come back next year and play again, or maybe make it back in time to work out and get ready for the NFL Draft. But I decided to keep playing. I basically played with one arm. My get-off ability was down. I was falling a lot. I wasn't anywhere near the player I could have been, but I played. At the end of the year, I expected I would have surgery and then come back in six or eight months, but then I saw the Bears' team doctor, and he told me that a lot of football players come back from this injury without having the surgery. So I just started rehabbing and thought I'd be ready for the Combine." [6]

After the urine test came back positive, he and his agent wrote the letters to all the teams admitting use of an illegal substance. Despite this, San Diego Chargers Executive Vice President and General Manager A. J. Smith took a chance on Castillo because of his stellar track record at Northwestern. When asked about Castillo's steroid use, AJ responded, "Let me tell you -- this is a great kid. Did he cheat to try to get ready for the Combine? All of that is true. He has admitted it. He cheated to cut a corner because he was fearful. But I don't believe he gained an advantage [over what he would have been had he not been hurt]. If we wouldn't have picked him, someone else would have -- because he's proven what a good kid he is and this was a one-time mistake." [6]

San Diego Chargers

Castillo chases Chiefs QB Tyler Thigpen. TylerThigpen110908.jpg
Castillo chases Chiefs QB Tyler Thigpen.

Castillo was selected with the 28th overall pick in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft. [7]

In 2005 Castillo was named an All-Rookie Team selection by NFL.com, Pro Football Weekly/Professional Football Writers of America. Castillo has emerged as a play maker alongside Jamal Williams and Igor Olshansky, creating havoc in opposing backfields. He ended his rookie season with 49 tackles, 3½ sacks, and 3 pass deflections.

In the 2006 opening game at the Oakland Raiders ESPN commentator Dick Vermeil called Castillo one of the best young defensive linemen he's seen in a long time. Castillo was a second alternate to the 2006 Pro Bowl. His season totals included playing in 10 games (9 starts) 37 tackles, 7 sacks, and an interception.

On November 6, 2007, it was announced that Castillo would miss at least 6 weeks after having surgery on one of his knees. For the 2007 season he again played in 10 games and started nine. He totaled 33 tackles, 2½ sacks and one deflected pass. In 2008, following a tackle of Vince Young, Castillo performed a salsa dance for the crowd. [8] [9] Castillo started in all three playoff appearances for the Chargers, including the AFC Championship against the New England Patriots where he sacked Tom Brady. [10]

Castillo signed a five-year, $43.1 million extension in July 2008. His statistics for the season were 16 games played, 15 starts, 39 tackles, 1½ sacks, a pass defensed and an interception (the second of his career). [11]

In 2009, Castillo started and played 14 games with 2 sacks and 25 total tackles. He led the Chargers into the postseason until losing the divisional round to the New York Jets.

Castillo started all 16 games in 2010 with 2.5 sacks and 26 total tackles. [12]

Castillo in 2009 Luis Castillo at Naval Base San Diego 2009-08-21.jpg
Castillo in 2009

During Week 1 of the 2011 season, he suffered a broken leg and it prematurely ended his 2011 season. He became a free agent after the season in which he played in only one game.

After visiting the New England Patriots, [13] he re-signed with the Chargers on a 1-year deal on April 4, 2012.

However, Castillo was released by the Chargers on July 19, 2012. [14] [15]

NFL statistics

YearsTeamGPCOMBTOTALASTSACKFFFRFR YDSINTIR YDSAVG IRLNG IRTDPD
2005 SD 164937123.5100000003
2006 SD 10372897.0010111101
2007 SD 103323102.5000000001
2008 SD 153927121.5100144401
2009 SD 14251782.0000000000
2010 SD 16261882.50110000000
2011 SD 11100.0000000000
Career822101515919.0220253406

[16]

Key

Personal life

Castillo is fluent in Spanish. He was born in Brooklyn, New York and moved to the Dominican Republic with his mother, Maria, when he was a child. They returned to the United States when he was 5, and the family settled in New Jersey. Luis returns to the Dominican Republic every offseason where he is revered as a national icon. During his trips to the Dominican Republic, Castillo hosts a youth football clinic and does many community appearances. In 2005, he was honored with the Youth of the Year Award for excellence outside of the Dominican Republic. [17] [18]

Castillo has also emerged as a community leader in San Diego. In December 2007, he hosted "Shop with a Charger" for abused and neglected children, some of whom were homeless as well. Each child who participated in the event enjoyed dinner with Luis and his teammates and received a holiday gift card from Walmart. [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rodney Harrison</span> American football player and commentator (born 1972)

Rodney Scott Harrison is an American former football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons with the San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots. He was selected in the fifth round of the 1994 NFL draft by the Chargers, where he spent his first nine seasons, and was a member of the Patriots in his following six. Since leaving the NFL in 2009, he has served as a commentator for NBC's Football Night in America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donnie Edwards</span> American football player (born 1973)

Donnie Edwards is a former American football linebacker from San Diego, California. He played for thirteen seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Diego Chargers. He began his career as an All-American Collegiate at the University of California, Los Angeles. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 1996 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travis Johnson (defensive end)</span> American football player (born 1982)

Travis Andre Johnson is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft. He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Burnett</span> American football player (born 1982)

Kevin Bradley Burnett is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders. He played college football at the University of Tennessee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamal Williams</span> American football player (born 1976)

Jamal Williams is an American former professional football player who was a nose tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for thirteen seasons. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 1998 Supplemental Draft. He played college football for Oklahoma State Cowboys. After three consecutive All-Pro seasons in the NFL, Williams—at a massive 6′3″, 350 pounds—was described as a "textbook block-of-granite noseman" by Sports Illustrated′s Peter King in 2007.

Hanik Alphonse Milligan is an American former professional football player who was a safety for five seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Houston Cougars. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL draft. In 2005, Milligan earned a Pro Bowl selection for his work on special teams with the Chargers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jarret Johnson</span> American football player (born 1981)

Jarret Webster Johnson is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) or twelve seasons. He was drafted in the fourth round in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens and also played for the San Diego Chargers. He played college football for the University of Alabama.

Ben Leber is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft and later played for the Minnesota Vikings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Cooper (American football)</span> American football player (born 1979)

Stephen Cooper is a former American football linebacker for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Maine. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2003, and played his entire professional career for the Chargers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Gocong</span> American football player (born 1983)

Christopher Andrew Gocong is a former American football linebacker who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Eagles in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at FCS Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaun Phillips</span> American football player (born 1981)

Shaun Jamal Phillips is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers and was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Phillips also played for the Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans, and Indianapolis Colts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antoine Cason</span> American football player (born 1986)

Antoine Brandon Cason is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arizona Wildcats where he was recognized as a consensus All-American and won the Jim Thorpe Award. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft. Cason also played for Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, and Baltimore Ravens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlos Polk</span> American football player and coach (born 1977)

Carlos Devonn Polk is an American football coach and former linebacker who is the assistant special teams coach for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as an assistant coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Diego Chargers and Grossmont College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Weddle</span> American football player (born 1985)

Eric Steven Weddle is an American former football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He played college football for the Utah Utes, where he earned consensus All-American honors in 2006, and was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. During his nine seasons with the Chargers, Weddle received three Pro Bowl and two first-team All-Pro selections. Weddle spent his next three seasons as a member of the Baltimore Ravens, earning Pro Bowl honors in each and extending his total selections to six. He retired after playing for the Los Angeles Rams in 2019, but returned two years later to join the Rams on their playoff run, which culminated with a victory in Super Bowl LVI. Following the championship, he retired a second time.

DeRon Charles Jenkins is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) and Arena Football League (AFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 1996 NFL draft. Jenkins also played for the San Diego Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Austin Wranglers and Nashville Kats. He is currently a co-host of HGTV's Flip or Flop Nashville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry English</span> American football player (born 1986)

Larry English is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football as a linebacker for the Northern Illinois Huskies and was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft. He also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donald Butler</span> American football player (born 1988)

Donald Aubrey Butler is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at the University of Washington. He was considered one of the top linebacker prospects for the 2010 NFL Draft, and was selected with the 79th overall pick by the San Diego Chargers.

Marcus Tyler Gilchrist is a former American football safety. He played college football at Clemson. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft and also had stints with the New York Jets, Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Baltimore Ravens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jahleel Addae</span> American football player (born 1990)

Jahleel Addae is a former American football safety. He played college football for Central Michigan University where he was a captain and three-time All Mid-American Conference player. He was signed by the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2013.

James Ray Fuller is an American football coach and former defensive back who is currently the offensive coordinator for the San Antonio Gunslingers of the National Arena League (NAL). He played college football at Walla Walla CC and Portland State before being selected in the 8th round of the 1992 NFL Draft; he went on to play three seasons with the San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles while also spending time in the World League of American Football (WLAF) for the Scottish Claymores and Arena Football League (AFL) for the Portland Forest Dragons. He later served as a coach for the Forest Dragons, Bakersfield Blitz, Philadelphia Soul, Dallas Desperados, Dallas Vigilantes, Richmond Raiders, Maine Mammoths, and Jacksonville Sharks.

References

  1. ↑ Madden goes multilingual - Xbox 360 News at GameSpot
  2. ↑ ESPN - 10 minutes with Chargers defensive end Luis Castillo
  3. ↑ "Luis Castillo player profile". National Football League Players Association . Retrieved July 24, 2007. Hometown: Garfield, N.J....SuperPrep All-America at Garfield High School in Garfield, New Jersey…first-team all-state and all-county as junior and senior by Associated Press and Newark Star-Ledger and a three-time First-team all-league choice, a team captain and team MVP as senior. He also lettered in track and wrestling as state's top heavyweight
  4. ↑ "Archived copy". cc.msnscache.com. Archived from the original on November 2, 2007. Retrieved May 22, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ↑ "Luis Castillo, DS #3 DT, Northwestern". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  6. 1 2 "SI.com - Writers - KING: Monday Morning Quarterback - Monday April 25, 2005 11:33AM". CNN. April 25, 2005. Retrieved October 15, 2008.
  7. ↑ "2005 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  8. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : "Chargers vs. Titans 2007/01/06: Young Gets Sacked Again". YouTube .
  9. ↑ "Luis Castillo - Back with a Vengeance and a New Salsa Sack Dance". losestadoslatinos.com. Archived from the original on February 6, 2009. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Luis Castillo - Unsigned Free Agent - news and analysis, statistics, game logs, depth charts, contracts, injuries".
  11. ↑ "Luis Castillo Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  12. ↑ "Luis Castillo Stats, News and Video - DE". NFL.com .
  13. ↑ "NFL Team News".
  14. ↑ "Luis Castillo | San Diego Chargers | Stats, Pictures, News | NFL Football | FOX Sports on MSN". Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Why Newly Released Luis Castillo Would be Great Fit in Carolina: Fan's Reaction - Yahoo! Sports". sports.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Luis Castillo Stats". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  17. ↑ "San Diego Chargers: Luis Castillo". Archived from the original on August 23, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Luis Castillo". CNN.
  19. ↑ "Luis Castillo : Bio". Archived from the original on January 10, 2008. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.