Ronyell Whitaker
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ronyell Whitaker | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | March 19, 1979 (age 28) |
| Place of birth |  Norfolk, Virginia |
| Position(s) | Cornerback |
| College | Virginia Tech |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 2003 2006-present |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Minnesota Vikings |
Ronyell Whitaker (born March 19, 1979 in Norfolk, Virginia) is an American football player, a cornerback, who plays for the Minnesota Vikings and formerly played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was an undrafted free agent out of Virginia Tech. His roommate was Michael Vick. He is the nephew of former professional boxer Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker.
In 2006 he led NFL Europe in interceptions and defensive touchdowns, with 141 return yards and two touchdowns, and was named to the All NFL Europe team. In one of his games in the NFLE in 2006, his 100-yard interception return for a score was his team's sole touchdown of the game.
The 2006 Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin had coached him in Tampa and had been keeping tabs on him. "I get reports on him and I watch games, and I guess he's lighting it up," Tomlin said of Whitaker. "He's doing well, but that doesn't surprise me. I've known that young man for a long time. He has great football character. He has ridiculous work habits. He's going to come in here fighting."
