Eugene Wilson (American football)

Last updated

Eugene Wilson
Eugenewilson.jpg
Wilson with the Patriots in 2006
No. 26
Position: Safety
Personal information
Born: (1980-08-17) August 17, 1980 (age 44)
Merrillville, Indiana, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school: Merrillville
College: Illinois
NFL draft: 2003  / round: 2 / pick: 36
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:399
Forced fumbles:3
Fumble recoveries:4
Pass deflections:41
Interceptions:14
Defensive touchdowns:1
Player stats at PFR

Eugene W. Wilson, Jr (born August 17, 1980) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini and was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2003 NFL draft.

Contents

Wilson was also a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Houston Texans. He earned two Super Bowl rings during his tenure with the Patriots.

Early life

Wilson attended Merrillville High School in Merrillville, Indiana and lettered in football and basketball. In football, he was a two-time All-State selection and, as a senior, he was named the Conference's Defensive Player of the Year. In basketball, he was a four-year varsity letterman and starter and was a two-time All-Conference selection.

College career

Wilson attended the University of Illinois where he majored in speech communications. He finished his career with 176 Tackles (139 Solo, 37 Assist), 11 INT, and 60 PD. He also had 93 punt returns for 896 yards and 2 TD. [1]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10 in
(1.78 m)
192 lb
(87 kg)
30+34 in
(0.78 m)
8+58 in
(0.22 m)
4.48 s1.60 s2.59 s4.05 s7.18 s38 in
(0.97 m)
10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)
15 reps
All values from NFL Combine. [2]

New England Patriots

Wilson was selected by the Patriots in the second round (36th overall) of the 2003 NFL draft. [3] He won Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2003 and Super Bowl XXXIX in 2004 with the New England Patriots. In Super Bowl XXXVII, he was successfully stiff armed by Muhsin Muhammad, resulting in a Super Bowl record 85-yard touchdown play. [4] He recovered a fumble by Philadelphia Eagles tight end L.J. Smith in Super Bowl XXXIX before leaving the game after sustaining an injury on a kickoff. He also intercepted Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger twice in the Patriots 41–27 victory in the 2004 AFC Championship Game.

In 2007, in a Week 15 game against the New York Jets, Wilson returned a Kellen Clemens interception for a touchdown, making him the 21st Patriot to score a touchdown that season, tying an NFL record.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On March 14, 2008, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Wilson to a one-year, $1.8 million contract including $500,000 guaranteed. However, Wilson was released on September 1, 2008.

Houston Texans

Two days after his release from the Buccaneers, Wilson was signed by the Houston Texans on September 3, 2008.

During a preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on August 31, 2009, Wilson fell victim to an illegal "crackback" block thrown by Brett Favre. He was injured on the play and was listed as "day-to-day". Wilson returned to the field on September 20, 2009, and started the second game of the season, recording an interception in the Texans' win over the Tennessee Titans.

Wilson was placed Injured Reserve on November 24, 2009, due to broken toes.

On February 18, 2011, the Texans released Wilson.

NFL career statistics

YearTeamGPCombSoloAstSackFFFRYdsIntYdsAvgLngTDPD
2003 NE 166147140.000041851009
2004 NE 156757100.0220451132407
2005 NE 166844240.0010100007
2006 NE 4242040.0000000002
2007 NE 11312740.0010155513
2008 HOU 126352110.0000236181907
2009 HOU 8292360.0100229151603
2010 HOU 145641150.0000000003
Career96399311880.0340141391024141

[5]

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References

  1. "Player Bio: Eugene Wilson". Fightingillini.Com. August 17, 1980. Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  2. "Eugene Wilson, Illinois, CB, 2003 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com.
  3. "2003 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  4. ChicagoBears.com, Roster - 87 Muhsin Muhammad Archived January 24, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on January 19, 2007
  5. "Eugene Wilson Stats". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved September 22, 2014.