Eugene Wilson (American football)

Eugene Wilson

Wilson with the Patriots in 2006
No. 26
Position:	Safety
Personal information
Born:	(1980-08-17) August 17, 1980 Merrillville, Indiana, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:	200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:	Merrillville
College:	Illinois
NFL draft:	2003 / round: 2 / pick: 36
Career history
New England Patriots (2003–2007) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2008)* Houston Texans (2008–2010)
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
2× Super Bowl champion (XXXVIII, XXXIX) PFWA All-Rookie Team (2003) Second-team All-American (2001) First-team All-Big Ten (2001) Second Team All-Big Ten (2002)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 399 Forced fumbles: 3 Fumble recoveries: 4 Pass deflections: 41 Interceptions: 14 Defensive touchdowns: 1 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Eugene W. Wilson, Jr (born August 17, 1980) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini and was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2003 NFL draft.

Wilson was also a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Houston Texans. He earned two Super Bowl rings during his tenure with the Patriots.

Early life

Wilson attended Merrillville High School in Merrillville, Indiana and lettered in football and basketball. In football, he was a two-time All-State selection and, as a senior, he was named the Conference's Defensive Player of the Year. In basketball, he was a four-year varsity letterman and starter and was a two-time All-Conference selection.

College career

Wilson attended the University of Illinois where he majored in speech communications. He finished his career with 176 Tackles (139 Solo, 37 Assist), 11 INT, and 60 PD. He also had 93 punt returns for 896 yards and 2 TD.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	192 lb (87 kg)	30+3⁄4 in (0.78 m)	8+5⁄8 in (0.22 m)	4.48 s	1.60 s	2.59 s	4.05 s	7.18 s	38 in (0.97 m)	10 ft 2 in (3.10 m)	15 reps
All values from NFL Combine.

New England Patriots

Wilson was selected by the Patriots in the second round (36th overall) of the 2003 NFL draft. He won Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2003 and Super Bowl XXXIX in 2004 with the New England Patriots. In Super Bowl XXXVII, he was successfully stiff armed by Muhsin Muhammad, resulting in a Super Bowl record 85-yard touchdown play. He recovered a fumble by Philadelphia Eagles tight end L.J. Smith in Super Bowl XXXIX before leaving the game after sustaining an injury on a kickoff. He also intercepted Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger twice in the Patriots 41–27 victory in the 2004 AFC Championship Game.

In 2007, in a Week 15 game against the New York Jets, Wilson returned a Kellen Clemens interception for a touchdown, making him the 21st Patriot to score a touchdown that season, tying an NFL record.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On March 14, 2008, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Wilson to a one-year, $1.8 million contract including $500,000 guaranteed. However, Wilson was released on September 1, 2008.

Houston Texans

Two days after his release from the Buccaneers, Wilson was signed by the Houston Texans on September 3, 2008.

During a preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on August 31, 2009, Wilson fell victim to an illegal "crackback" block thrown by Brett Favre. He was injured on the play and was listed as "day-to-day". Wilson returned to the field on September 20, 2009, and started the second game of the season, recording an interception in the Texans' win over the Tennessee Titans.

Wilson was placed Injured Reserve on November 24, 2009, due to broken toes.

On February 18, 2011, the Texans released Wilson.

NFL career statistics

Year	Team	GP	Comb	Solo	Ast	Sack	FF	FR	Yds	Int	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	PD
2003	NE	16	61	47	14	0.0	0	0	0	4	18	5	10	0	9
2004	NE	15	67	57	10	0.0	2	2	0	4	51	13	24	0	7
2005	NE	16	68	44	24	0.0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	7
2006	NE	4	24	20	4	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
2007	NE	11	31	27	4	0.0	0	1	0	1	5	5	5	1	3
2008	HOU	12	63	52	11	0.0	0	0	0	2	36	18	19	0	7
2009	HOU	8	29	23	6	0.0	1	0	0	2	29	15	16	0	3
2010	HOU	14	56	41	15	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3
Career		96	399	311	88	0.0	3	4	0	14	139	10	24	1	41

External links

• Houston Texans bio Archived September 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
• Fighting Illini bio
• New England Patriots bio
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers bio