High School Career

Asante Samuel was a versatile athlete at Boyd Anderson HS; he played DB, QB, KR and PR. He earned All-State and All-County honors as a senior DB, tallying 75 tackles and 4 INTs. Samuel also saw significant action at QB as a junior, throwing for 1,800 yds. and rushing for 500 yds. Samuel was a well-rounded athlete off the football field, lettering in both basketball and baseball.

College Career

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). Samuel showed 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. He started all year at weak- side cornerback, recording 48 tackles (42 solo) with 3 TFL. Samuel 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. He 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): Samuel played in every game at free safety, earning his first collegiate start vs. Eastern Illinois with a recorded 12 tackles (6 solo) with 4 pass deflections and a forced fumble.

NFL Career

Asante Samuel was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round (120th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft, and signed with the Patriots (07/15/03).

One of the premier playmaking defensive backs in recent NFL history, Asante Samuel exploded 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:

Patriots:

• The Patriots were 17-0 in the regular season when he recorded an INT. 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
• 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

Eagles:
• He was named to the 2009 NFC Pro Bowl squad, his 2nd-career Pro Bowl appearance.
• In 2009, Asante Samuel signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. 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