Nathan Vasher

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Nathan Vasher
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Chicago Bears — No. 31
Cornerback
Date of birth: November 17, 1981 (1981-11-17) (age 26)
Place of birth: Wichita Falls, Texas
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Weight: 183 lb (83 kg)
National Football League debut
2004 for the Chicago Bears
Career history
College: Texas
NFL Draft: 2004 / Round: 4 / Pick: 110
 Teams:
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NFL.com

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

Contents

[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 in the fourth round of 2004 NFL Draft. He began his career with the team as a back-up cornerback, but became a starter by the fourth week of the season. Vasher became the Bears’ top cornerback after Charles Tillman was sidelined with an injury. In one of his best game’s of the season, Vasher intercepted one of Ken Dorsey’s passes, and returned it for a 71-yard touchdown.[1]

Vasher had the best season of his career in 2005, when he lead the Bears and National Football Conference with eight interceptions. He also set a record when he returned Joe Nedney’s missed 52-yard field goal for a 108-yard touchdown.[2] The record was later tied by teammate Devin Hester (November 12, 2006) and Ellis Hobbs (September 9, 2007), [3][4] before Antonio Cromartie surpassed by returning a 109-yard miss field goal for a touchdown in 2007.[5] Vasher completed the season with an invitation to the Pro Bowl, as well as two player of the week awards.

Vasher missed portions of the 2006 season on account of injuries, and was limited to only three interceptions. He played a pivotal role in the Bears’ National Football Conference Championship victory by recovering a fumble, and also intercepting Drew Brees in the game’s final minutes.[6] He was later assigned to cover Marvin Harrison, one of the Indianapolis Colts’ top receivers, and limited him to fifty-nine yards, while also assisting Chris Harris in an interception.

During the subsequent offseason, the Bears resigned Vasher and Tillman to long-term contracts.[7] He sustained a groin injury during the the third of the 2007 season, and was forced to miss the next ten games whilst recuperating. He made his return during a Monday Night Football match up against the Minnesota Vikings, in which intercepted a pass, and also helped Brian Urlacher record one as well by delivering a hit to Robert Ferguson.[1]

[edit] Personal life

He was invited to throw the ceremonial opening pitch, and sing "Take me out to the Ball Game" at Wrigley Field, for the Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals game on May 6, 2007.[2] Vasher was nicknamed "ESPN3" in college, and "The Interceptor" by his teammates in Chicago.[3][4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Associated Press, Bears 23, 49ers 13 (November 15, 2004), Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved on March 21, 2008.
  2. ^ Associated Press, Vasher's 108-yard return lifts Bears over 49ers (November 13, 2005), ESPN. Retrieved on March 21, 2008.
  3. ^ Associated Press, Bears 38, Giants 20 (November 13, 2006), Yahoo! Sports, Retrieved on March 21, 2008.
  4. ^ Youngmisuk, Ohm, Ellis Hobbs' 108-yard kickoff return sets record (September 10, 2007), Daily News. Retrieved on March 21, 2008.
  5. ^ Associated Press, cornerback's return longest play in NFL history (November 4, 2007), ESPN. Retrieved on March 21, 2008.
  6. ^ Wilner, Barry, Bears 39, Saints 14 (January 22, 2007), Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved on March 21, 2008.
  7. ^ Mayer, Larry, Dynamic cornerback duo picks off three passes (August 7, 2007), chicagobears.com. Retrieved on March 21, 2008.

[edit] External links