Nathan Vasher

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Nathan Vasher
Date of birth	November 17, 1981 (age 25)
Place of birth	Wichita Falls, Texas
Position(s)	Cornerback
College	Texas
NFL Draft	2004 / Round 4/ Pick 110
Career Highlights
Pro Bowls	2006
Records	Longest Play (108yds) Shares with Devin Hester
Stats
Statistics	Pro Football Reference NFL.com DatabaseFootball
Team(s)
2004 -Present	Chicago Bears

Nathanial DeWayne Vasher (born November 17, 1981 in Wichita Falls, Texas) is an American football cornerback, who plays for the Chicago Bears.

[edit] Early life

An all-state selection at both cornerback and wide receiver at Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas, Vasher was recruited by the University of Texas at Austin. He started at strong safety for the Longhorns in 2001 and at cornerback in 2002 and 2003. He intercepted 17 passes in his college career, tying the school record. He also returned punts and earned All-America honors as a punt returner in 2001.

[edit] Professional career

The Chicago Bears selected Vasher during the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He began his career as a back-up, but became a starter during week four of the 2004 Chicago Bears season. He had an immediate impact, leading the team with five interceptions in the absence of the Bears’ top cornerback, Charles Tillman. One of his notable games of the season came when he returned an interception for 71-yard touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers.

Vasher had much better performance in 2005, when the Bears defined their defense in wake of struggling offense. The Bears only allowed 202 points during the season, a league high. Additionally, Vasher helped contribute to the landmark defense, recording team-high eight interceptions, and forty-one tackles. Another one of his historic and memorable games came on November 13, 2005, when he returned Joe Nedney’s 52-yard missed field goal for record setting 108-yard touchdown. Coincidentally, the record was later equaled by teammate Devin Hester, who returned a touchdown on another missed field goal attempt under similar conditions, almost a year later. Vasher completed the season with a Pro Bowl invitation, and two Player of the Week awards.

The following season, Vasher started the season on a rough note, by sustaining a head injury during the Bears’ first preseason game. He missed a majority of the pre-season, but was able to recover before the seasons start. Vasher only recorded three interceptions during the season due to several injuries. During the latter portion of the season, he was coupled to cover his former collegiate teammate and roommate, Roy Williams of the Detroit Lions, due to an injury to Charles Tillman. Despite Vasher’s height disadvantage (compared to Williams), he held Williams at bay for the most part, only allowing him to record 79 yards and one touchdown.

During the Bears’ NFC Championship game against the New Orleans Saints, Vasher recovered a fumble, and later intercepted Drew Brees during the game’s dying minutes, sealing the Bears’ victory. Vasher frequently covered Marvin Harrison, one of the NFL’s most prominent wide receivers and Peyton Manning’s most frequent target during Super Bowl XLI. Vasher held Harrison to only 59 yards, and assisted Chris Harris on an interception by obstructing Harrison from catching a pass.

Vasher is the cousin of Detroit Tigers outfielder Craig Monroe.^{[citation needed]}