Bryant Westbrook

Infobox NFLretired


|caption=
width=
position=Cornerback
number=32, 30
birthdate=birth date and age|1974|12|19
Charlotte, North Carolina
deathdate=
debutyear=1997
finalyear=2003
draftyear=1997
draftround=1
draftpick=5
college=Texas
teams=
* Detroit Lions (1997-2001)
* Dallas Cowboys (2002)
* Green Bay Packers (2002-2003)
stat1label=Tackles
stat1value=236
stat2label=Interceptions
stat2value=13
stat3label=Touchdowns
stat3value=3
nfl=WES544720

Bryant Antoine Westbrook (born December 19, 1974 in Charlotte, North Carolina) is a former American football cornerback in the NFL.

College career

Westbrook played college football at the University of Texas at Austin where he played strong safety and cornerback. He was well known for his hard hitting on opposing players, most notably Notre Dame's Randy Kinder who was just obliterated on option toss from Ron Powlus.

Westbrook is known for a moment in rivalry game against Texas A&M where he landed a devastating hit on Aggies running back Leeland McElroy. It caused Brad Nessler to yell "Holy mackerel! Whoo!" Westbrook picked up an unsportsmanlike conduct call for taunting because he walked over to McElroy and looked down at McElroy at the start of his celebration strut. The broadcast team calling the game did not like the call and Longhorn apologists claimed he was checking to see if McElroy was okay (dubious as Westbrook looked for a second or two, never bent down to speak to him, or even broke his stride on his celebration). [ [http://youtube.com/watch?v=fe3uJGerQxo YouTube - Westbrook (Longhorn) lights up McElroy (aggie) ] ]

NFL career

Westbrook was drafted in the first round with the fifth pick of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions 1997-2001. Returned first career interception for a Touchdown in 1997. Led 1997 Lions Team as a Rookie with 20 Passes Defended. 1997 USA Today All-Rookie Team. Westbrook was having a Pro Bowl-caliber season in 2000 until he suffered ruptured left Achilles tendon at Minnesota (11/30/2000), and was placed on Injured Reserve December 4, 2000. Earned Chuck Hughes Most Improved Player award, as voted by teammates… Despite premature ending of outstanding 2000 season, he registered 52 tackles (43 solo), career-high six interceptions and led team with a career single-season high 21 passes defensed… Finished season with career-high six interceptions…. He later played for the Dallas Cowboys 2002-2002 and was cut due to poor play in the opening season loss to the Houston Texans. Westbrook signed with the Green Bay Packers later in the 2002 season and was back to Pro Bowl form until he suffered from another achilles tendon rupture.

References