Melvin Bullitt

Last updated
Melvin Bullitt
Melvin Bullitt.PNG
Bullitt in 2010
No. 33
Position: Defensive back
Personal information
Born: (1984-11-13) November 13, 1984 (age 39)
Bryan, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:201 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school: Naaman Forest (Garland, Texas)
College: Texas A&M (2003–2006)
Undrafted: 2007
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:202
Forced fumbles:2
Pass deflections:13
Interceptions:7
Player stats at PFR

Melvin Terry Bullitt (born November 13, 1984) is a former American football defensive back. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2007 and played for the team for five seasons. He played college football at Texas A&M.

Contents

Early life

Bullitt starred at Naaman Forest High School in Garland, Texas, where he was team MVP as a senior after totaling 78 tackles (43 solo), five pass deflections, and three interceptions. He also caught seven passes for 185 yards and a touchdown. He was teammates with Uche Nwaneri and Jacob Lacey.

Bullitt committed to Texas A&M at the end of his junior year. [2]

College career

As a freshman at Texas A&M, Bullitt played in 8 games and produced 13 tackles. As a sophomore, he played in 12 games, finishing with 29 tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble. He started 10 games as a junior and compiled 59 tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. In the 2006 season, as a senior outside linebacker, he started in all 13 games had 84 tackles (26 solo), one interception, one fumble recovery, and eight pass deflections. After the season, he was named to the 2006 AT&T All-Big 12 Football First-team. [1] He finished his college career with 183 tackles (80 solo), 10.5 tackles for losses, and four interceptions.

Bullitt changed positions every season. He began playing at corner, then free safety, then strong safety, and finally at outside linebacker. [2]

Professional career

2007 season

Bullitt signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent. In Week 5 he started in the Colts' dime package in a 33-14 victory over the Tampa Bay. He also saw action on defense in Week 9 against the New England as a replacement for injured Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders. He had his most extensive playing time in Week 17 against Tennessee, when he entered the game in the second half after the Colts rested starters on both sides of the ball. Despite only playing the second half, he made a team-high 10 tackles. [3] [4] [5]

2008 season

During the 2008 season, Bullitt made three game-saving interceptions to seal victories for the Colts. In the 31–27 comeback win over the Texans on October 5, he intercepted a pass by quarterback Sage Rosenfels at the Indianapolis 22, with 42 seconds remaining in the game. On November 9, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger attempted to throw a touchdown pass into the end zone on the final play, but Bullitt intercepted the pass, preventing a Steelers comeback and sealing the 24–20 Colts win. The third game-saver occurred in the second matchup against the Texans on November 16, when Bullitt intercepted Rosenfels' pass at the Colts 35, with 32 seconds left in the game. In the same game, however, he missed a tackle near the line of scrimmage on running back Steve Slaton, who ran 71 yards for a touchdown. [6] The Colts still won 33–27. [7] [8] Overall, Bullitt started nine games during the season, recording 42 solo tackles and four interceptions. [9]

After the season, Bullitt received recognition from USA Today , which listed him on its annual "All-Joe" team. [10]

Regarding his then-new role as a starter, Bullitt stated: "You always want to be a starter. That's why you come to the NFL. You don't want to come in and be a backup. You have to learn and you have to wait your time. You have to be patient, because anytime, an opportunity may come. Mine came this year, and I just wanted to go out and do the best I can and show people in the league I can play, too." [2]

2009 season

In January 2009, Bullitt was named the "emerging star" of the AFC South by an ESPN.com blogger; seven other players representing each division of the league were named one, as well. The players were picked based on their performances in the 2008 season. [11]

His teammates elected him as one of the two 2009 special-teams captains. [12] He started the season as a starter, replacing the injured Bob Sanders. He was named the "Unsung Hero of the Week" for week 3 by USA Today for his performance against the Arizona Cardinals. Bullitt forced a fumble and also prevented an airborne player from scoring a touchdown at the goal line. [13]

Bullitt also made a crucial fourth-down stop in the 35–34 victory over the New England Patriots. [14] [15]

For the second straight year, Bullitt made USA Today's "All-Joe" team. [16]

2010–2011 seasons

In October 2010, Bullitt was placed on injured reserve and missed the rest of the season. [17]

Three weeks into the 2011 season, Bullitt was placed on injured reserve. [18] He was released following the 2011 season on March 9, 2012.

NFL career statistics

Legend
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
2007 IND 150282350.01100010000
2008 IND 1597259130.03470391000
2009 IND 14127763140.01000011000
2010 IND 43141130.0011901910000
2011 IND 2211650.0011501510000
5026202162400.05741019132000

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
2007 IND 101010.00000000000
2008 IND 104310.00000010000
2009 IND 338800.00000020000
53131120.00000030000

Post-playing career

Following his retirement, Bullitt was named coach of the Legends Football League's Dallas Desire for the franchise's return in 2016. His brother Terrance will be his assistant. [19]

Melvin maintains an athletic training facility with his family in Rowlett, Texas. [20]

Personal

During his playing career, Melvin wore the number 33 in honor of his father, Jerry Bullitt, who wore the number as a linebacker at Texas A&M. When asked about his number, Melvin stated: "I kind of feel like when I'm wearing (No. 33), a piece of my dad is with me when I'm on the field." [21] Teammate Dominic Rhodes previously wore the same number for six seasons from 2001 to 2006 before playing the 2007 season for the Oakland Raiders. [22] Once Rhodes returned to the Colts prior to the 2008 season, he tried to get the number back and even offered Bullitt serious money for it, but to no avail. [23]

Related Research Articles

Michael Allen Doss is an American former football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, earning consensus All-American honors thrice and winning the 2002 national championship. He was selected in the second round of the 2003 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts, with whom he played four seasons with, including during the team's 2006 Super Bowl season. Doss then spent one season with the Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals each before retiring.

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

Trent James Cole Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and linebacker for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. Cole played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats, and was selected by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL draft, where he played with them from 2005 until 2014 and was a two-time Pro Bowler. He ended his career after two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.

Dexter Devon Reid Jr. is a former American football safety. He was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft after playing his college football at the University of North Carolina. Reid is a two-time Super Bowl champion, having won a trophy with the Patriots and Indianapolis Colts in 2005 and 2007 respectively.

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

Demond "Bob" Sanders is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2004 NFL draft. He was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 and also played for the San Diego Chargers in his final season in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cato June</span> American football player and coach (born 1979)

Cato Nnamdi June is an American football coach and former player who is an assistant linebackers coach for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played as a linebacker in the NFL after being selected by the Colts in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL draft. A 2006 Pro Bowl choice, June was a member of the Super Bowl XLI champion Colts that defeated the Chicago Bears. During the Super Bowl championship season, June was the Colts' leading tackler. In addition to his tenure with the Colts, he played in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Before becoming a professional, he played college football for the Michigan Wolverines and was an outstanding athlete in high school football, basketball, track and field and baseball at Anacostia High School in Washington, D.C. As a senior, he was widely regarded to be the best high school football player in the District of Columbia.

Rocky Michael Boiman is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He currently works as a football color commentator for ESPN College Football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Houston Texans season</span> 5th season in franchise history; first under coach Gary Kubiak

The 2006 Houston Texans season was the franchise's 5th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the 1st under head coach Gary Kubiak. The team improved on their 2–14 record in 2005 and finished 6-10, a four-game improvement over their previous season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antoine Bethea</span> American football player (born 1984)

Antoine Akeem Bethea is an American former professional football player who was a safety for 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Howard Bison and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL draft. Bethea also played for the San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants. He was selected for the Pro Bowl three times and won Super Bowl XLI as a member of the Colts, beating the Chicago Bears.

Quentin John Coryatt is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Texas A&M University. He is distinguished as being the first Crucian to play in the NFL.

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

Joseph Vincent Flacco is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Delaware after transferring from Pittsburgh and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft. Flacco has also played for the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, and Cleveland Browns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Indianapolis Colts season</span> 56th season in franchise history; first at Lucas Oil Stadium and final one with coach Tony Dungy

The 2008 Indianapolis Colts season was the 56th season for the team in the National Football League (NFL) and the 25th in Indianapolis. It was the first season since 2002 that the Colts did not win the AFC South title. However, after a 3–4 start on the season Peyton Manning led the Colts to a nine-game winning streak, a 12–4 record, and a wild card berth in the playoffs. The Colts' season came to an end in San Diego when they were upset in their wild-card round playoff game against the San Diego Chargers.

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

Jerry Ray Hughes Jr. is an American football defensive end who is a free agent. He played college football for the TCU Horned Frogs, where he was twice recognized as a consensus All-American before being selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. Hughes has also played for the Buffalo Bills, with whom he has played the majority of his pro career, and the Houston Texans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Baltimore Ravens season</span> NFL team season

The 2009 season was the Baltimore Ravens' 14th in the National Football League (NFL). The franchise entered the season off an 11–5 record in their previous season, a playoff berth, but a loss in the American Football Conference (AFC) Championship game against the eventual Super Bowl XLIII champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens recorded nine victories to seven losses, although they were unable to win the AFC North division title. However, due to various playoff clinching scenarios in the AFC, the Ravens were able to clinch a wild card berth against the Oakland Raiders in Week 17. As the sixth seed in the AFC for the second straight year, they defeated the third seeded New England Patriots in Foxboro in the AFC Wild Card playoffs, handing Tom Brady's first ever playoff loss at home and New England's first home playoff loss since 1978. They, however, lost in the AFC Divisional playoffs against the top seeded and eventual AFC Champion Indianapolis Colts; with this loss, the 2009 season came to an end for the Ravens. For head coach John Harbaugh, this was his second year with the franchise, compiling an overall record of 20–12 in the regular season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mile High Miracle</span> Notable NFL playoff game

The Mile High Miracle refers both to the NFL 2012 AFC Divisional playoff game between the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos on January 12, 2013, and its defining play, a game-tying 70-yard touchdown pass from Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco to receiver Jacoby Jones with under a minute left in regulation. Playing on the road against the heavily favored Broncos, who had decisively defeated the struggling Ravens late in the regular season while on an 11-game winning streak, Flacco and the Ravens forced the Peyton Manning-led Broncos into double overtime, when rookie kicker Justin Tucker kicked a 47-yard field goal to secure a 38–35 win. With 28 points scored in the first eleven minutes of the game, three return touchdowns, five lead changes, and single-digit temperatures, the game was described by Sports Illustrated as "one of the most exciting and entertaining postseason games in NFL history." The Ravens would go on to beat the New England Patriots, and two weeks later, defeat the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII for the franchise's second championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Byard</span> American football player (born 1993)

Kevin Leon Byard III is an American football safety for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. Byard was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft. In 2017, his second season in the NFL, he was selected to the Pro Bowl and the first-team All-Pro and was the co-leader for most interceptions throughout the season. Additionally, he led the NFL in takeaways with 10.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samson Ebukam</span> Nigerian American football player (born 1995)

Nnamka Samson Ebukam is a Nigerian–American football defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Eastern Washington and was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Milano</span> American football player (born 1994)

Matthew Vincent Milano is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronnie Harrison</span> American football player (born 1997)

Ronnie Harrison Jr. is an American football linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama and was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny Moore II</span> American football player (born 1995)

Kenneth Moore II is an American football cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Valdosta State, and signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaquille Leonard</span> American football player (born 1995)

Darius Shaquille Leonard is a former American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at South Carolina State and was drafted in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. In his rookie season, Leonard led the league in tackles and was named a First-Team All-Pro and Defensive Rookie of the Year; he was also voted into the NFL Top 100 the following offseason. Leonard has been informally nicknamed "Maniac" due to his energetic and productive on-field play.

References

  1. 1 2 "2006 AT&T All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced" (Press release). Archived from the original on 2008-05-17.
  2. 1 2 3 "Bullitt enjoying role as Colts' closer". Archived from the original on 2013-02-05.
  3. ↑ "Safety steps in for star | The Journal Gazette". journalgazette.net. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
  4. ↑ "Bullitt in, Sanders out? No problem, Colts say » Colts » News From Terre Haute, Indiana". tribstar.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-13. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
  5. ↑ "Bullitt's Late Interception Clinches Colts Victory . . . Again". Archived from the original on 2011-05-19.
  6. ↑ "Colts' Bullitt proves value as safety". Archived from the original on 2011-05-22. Retrieved 2017-06-08.
  7. ↑ "Former Texas A&M safety Melvin Bullitt is making the big plays".
  8. ↑ "Colts' Bullitt proves value as safety - News-Sentinel.com". Archived from the original on 2011-05-22. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
  9. ↑ "Bullitt quickly makes his mark in secondary".
  10. ↑ Weisman, Larry (January 22, 2009). "Annual All-Joe team: Honoring those who won little acclaim". USA Today. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Flacco, Ravens should soar to new heights in 2009".
  12. ↑ "COLTS NAME FOUR CAPTAINS F0R 2009". Archived from the original on 2009-09-22.
  13. ↑ Bell, Jarrett (September 30, 2009). "NFL Replay: Declining skills at the root of T.O.'s slow start". USA Today. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  14. ↑ "They did what!?: Patriots' fourth-down gamble backfires big time".[ permanent dead link ]
  15. ↑ "'The Bullitt Shot' heard around the NFL world".
  16. ↑ Davis, Nate (January 28, 2010). "Joe Flacco an overachieving headliner on '09 All-Joe Team". USA Today. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  17. ↑ "Colts safety Melvin Bullitt will miss the rest of the season | ProFootballTalk". profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. 2010-10-05. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
  18. ↑ "WFNI ESPN 1070 the Fan". 1070thefan.com. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
  19. ↑ REVITALIZED DALLAS DESIRE SET TO MAKE FRANCHISE RETURN BY NAMING MELVIN BULLITT AS HEAD COACH
  20. ↑ "Thebullittexperience". Archived from the original on 2018-09-09. Retrieved 2018-09-08.
  21. ↑ Rhodes caught in a numbers game, and it might get costly IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star
  22. ↑ "Dominic Rhodes enjoys reunion with team he helped win Super Bowl XLI". Archived from the original on 2013-02-04.
  23. ↑ "Back With the Colts, Dominic Rhodes Might Buy No. 33 From Melvin Bullitt".
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.