Asante Samuel Profession: NFL Pro Bowl Cornerback

Was named to the 2009 NFC Pro Bowl squad, his 2nd-career Pro Bowl appearance. In his first season with the team, Samuel led the Eagles with four interceptions, including a 50-yard return for a touchdown vs. Cleveland on 12/15

One of the premier playmaking defensive backs in recent NFL history, Asante Samuel splashed onto the Philadelphia scene after putting his signature on a six-year contract with the Eagles on the first day of free agency in 2008 and promptly led the team with four interceptions in his first season. "I think the cornerback position is very important," said head coach Andy Reid upon signing the Pro Bowl cornerback. "When you have an opportunity to get the best one in the business, then you need to look at that. I welcome him aboard and I know Jim Johnson has great plans for Asante...Asante is a great player and he'll make great plays for us." Samuel spent his first five years with the New England Patriots, where he recorded 22 interceptions in 75 regular season games and five more in 14 career postseason contests. A two-time Super Bowl Champion with New England, Samuel tops the NFL with 8 career INT returns for a touchdown (including postseason) and is 2nd in the NFL with 20 interceptions over the past three seasons, earning him two consecutive Pro Bowl selections in 2008 and 2009.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

Ranks 2nd in the NFL with 20 INTs since 2006
His 8 INT returns for a TD since 2003 (including playoffs) are the most by any player in the NFL
Is the only player in NFL history to register at least one INT return for a TD in each of his first six NFL seasons (including postseason)
With 4 postseason INT returns for a TD, is the NFL's all-time leader
Leads all NFL defensive backs with 17 postseason games played since 2003
The Patriots were 17-0 in the regular season when he recorded an INT
Leads the NFL since 2003 with 6 INTs in the fourth quarter of a close game (winning or losing by 7 points or less)
Was a two-time Super Bowl champion with New England following the 2003 and 2004 seasons
His 10 INTs in 2006 led the NFL and was the 2nd-best single-season output in Patriots history, behind Ron Hall's 11 in 1964

2008 HIGHLIGHTS:
Was selected to the 2009 NFC Pro Bowl team
Led the team in KDs (21) and INTs (4)
Samuel's teams are 20-1 in games in which he intercepts a pass
Samuel is the only player in NFL history to have an INT return for a touchdown in each of his first six seasons
Holds postseason NFL records with 4 INT returns for touchdowns and 227 INT return yards
Recorded his 7th-career postseason INT in a playoff win (NFC-D) at NYG (1/11), tying for 5th place in NFL history behind Charlie Watters, Bill Simpson and Ronnie Lott, who each have nine
Intercepted QB Tarvaris Jackson and returned it 44 yds. for the winning score in a NFC wild card game at Min. (1/4)
His interception set NFL postseason records in career interception return TDs (4) and interception return yards (202)
Intercepted QB Ken Dorsey and returned the ball 50 yards for a TD in a win vs. Cle. (12/15), his first TD as an Eagle and the seventh of his career (three postseason) Notched a team-high 5 KDs at Cin. (11/16)
Intercepted QB Matt Ryan in the 1st qtr. of a win vs. Atl. (10/26)
Recorded an INT in two consecutive games vs. Pit. (9/21) and at Dal. (9/15)

2007 HIGHLIGHTS:
Was named as a starter to the AFC Pro Bowl squad after recording 6 INTs (1 return for a TD), 44 tackles, and 18 KDs. Also earned first-team All-Pro honors from the following institutions: AP, PFWA, SN, USA Today
Earned AFC Defensive POW honors for his week 12 performance vs. Phi. (11/25).
Notched 2 INTs off of Eagles QB A.J. Feeley, one of which he returned 40 yds. for a TD on the 3rd play from scrimmage. His second INT came late in the 4th qtr. in the Patriots end zone to seal New England's victory
Recorded an INT in three straight games (10/7 vs. Cle., 10/1 at Cin., & 9/23 vs. Buf.) for the first time in his career

2006 HIGHLIGHTS:
Started all 15 games in which he appeared at CB for a secondary that allowed an NFL-low 10 TD passes by opponents
Tied Champ Bailey for the NFL lead with 10 INTs. It was the 2nd-best single-season output in Patriots history, behind Ron Hall's 11 in 1964
Led the Patriots with 24 KDs
Named AFC Defensive POW after collecting 8 tackles and a career-high 3 INTs (QB Rex Grossman) vs. Chi. (11/26)
Led the team with 2 INTs and 8 KDs in the postseason
Returned both postseason INTs for TDs. Vs. NYJ (1/7/07) he intercepted Chad Pennington and returned it 36 yds. for a score and at Ind. (1/21/07) he intercepted Peyton Manning and returned it 39 yds.

2005 HIGHLIGHTS:
Played and started 15 regular-season games and both playoff contests
Led the team with 18 KDs, tied for the team lead with 3 INTs and recorded a career-high 53 tackles
Led the team in the playoffs with 2 INTs and 6 KDs
In the Wild Card Round against Jacksonville (1/7), returned an INT (QB Byron Leftwich) 73 yards for a TD

2004 HIGHLIGHTS:
Played in 13 games, with 8 starts at CB, and led the team with 12 KDs
Collected his 2nd-career INT return for a TD (QB Carson Palmer) and returned it 34 yds. vs. Cin. (12/12)

2003 HIGHLIGHTS:
Played in all 16 games at CB (1 start)
Made his NFL Debut at Buffalo (9/7)
Named NFL Rookie of the Week for his performance against the NY Jets (9/21), after registering his 1st-career INT and returned it 55 yards for the game-winning TD

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS:
Samuel recorded 127 tackles (102 solo) with 8 INTs, 38 KDs, 63 punt returns for 673 yards (10.8 avg.), and 10 kickoff returns for 168 yards (16.8 avg.) ... His 38 pass break ups broke the old school career-record of 34, set by Greg Atterberry (1981-85) ... Provided solid leadership in the secondary as well as on special teams, where he was chosen by his teammates to be the captain. 2002 (senior): All-Mid American Conference first-team selection ... Started all year at weak-side cornerback, recording 48 tackles (42 solo) with 3 TFL ... Deflected a team-high 15 passes and also led the squad with 4 INTs for 26 yards. 2001 (Junior): All-Independent first-team selection by Football News ... Started all year at left cornerback, making 41 tackles (31 solo) with 2 INTs and a team-high 13 deflected passes. 2000 (Sophomore): Recorded 26 tackles (23 solo) with 2 INTs and 6 KDs. 1999 (Freshman): Played in every game at free safety, earning his first collegiate start vs. Eastern Illinois ... Recorded 12 tackles (6 solo) with 4 pass deflections and a forced fumble.

PERSONAL:
Was born to father, Jasper, and mother, Christine
Has four children: son, A.J., and daughters, Ashante, Amaya, and Aleesa
A versatile athlete at Boyd Anderson HS, played DB, QB, KR and PR. Earned All-State and All-County honors as a senior DB, tallying 75 tackles and 4 INTs. Also saw significant action at QB as a junior, throwing for 1,800 yds. and rushing for 500 yds.
Also lettered in basketball and baseball
Majored in business