Dante Wesley
Wesley at the Carolina Panthers 2008 Fan Fest | |||
No. 29, 21, 23, 33 | |||
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Position: | Cornerback | ||
Personal information | |||
Date of birth: | April 5, 1979 | ||
Place of birth: | St. Louis, Missouri | ||
Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||
Weight: | 215 lb (98 kg) | ||
Career information | |||
High school: | Pine Bluff (AR) Watson Chapel | ||
College: | Arkansas–Pine Bluff | ||
NFL Draft: | 2002 / Round: 4 / Pick: 100 | ||
Career history | |||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||
Career highlights and awards | |||
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Career NFL statistics | |||
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Dante Julius Wesley (born April 5, 1979) is a retired American football cornerback. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
Wesley was also a member of the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots and Detroit Lions.
Professional career
First stint with Panthers
Wesley was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 4th round (100th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft.
Chicago Bears
In March 2006 he signed a 2-year contract with the Chicago Bears.
New England Patriots
After one season with the Bears, Wesley was acquired by the New England Patriots for an undisclosed draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Second stint with Panthers
On September 3, 2007, after being released by the Patriots, he signed again with the Carolina Panthers.
Wesley scored his first career touchdown on a 12-yard fumble return against the New Orleans Saints in the 2008 season finale.
Clifton Smith incident
In the 2009 NFL season, during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Wesley hit the punt returner Clifton Smith, who had called for a fair catch but not yet received the ball. Wesley was assessed a 15-yard penalty and ejected from the game. [1] [2]
Two days later, the NFL suspended Wesley for one game without pay. Wesley said he never meant to harm Smith, saying he merely mistimed his hit on him. He also said he wanted to apologize to Smith.[3]
Detroit Lions
Wesley signed with the Detroit Lions as an unrestricted free agent on April 3, 2010. Wesley was cut after the Lions had to go to the 53-man roster. He was re-signed by the Lions on September 30, 2010. He was released on October 19.
NFL stats
Year | Team | Games | Combined Tackles | Tackles | Assisted Tackles | Sacks | Forced Fumbles | Fumble Recoveries | Fumble Return Yards | Interceptions | Interception Return Yards | Yards per Interception Return | Longest Interception Return | Interceptions Returned for Touchdown | Passes Defended |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2002 | CAR | 13 | 17 | 14 | 3 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
2003 | CAR | 16 | 16 | 14 | 2 | 1.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
2004 | CAR | 13 | 20 | 18 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2005 | CAR | 16 | 17 | 16 | 1 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
2006 | CHI | 13 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2007 | CAR | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2008 | CAR | 16 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
2009 | CAR | 15 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
2010 | DET | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career | 107 | 104 | 94 | 10 | 2.0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
References
- ↑ "Dante Wesley Ejected After Hit On Clifton Smith NFL Panthers Bucs". 2009-10-18.
- ↑ "Wesley tossed; Smith has concussion". ESPN. AP. 2009-10-18.
- ↑ Chandler, Charles. Wesley suspended one game without pay. Charlotte Observer, 2009-10-20.
- ↑ "Dante Wesley Stats". ESPN Internet. Retrieved 7 April 2014.