Allen Rossum

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=San Francisco 49ers
currentnumber=20
currentpositionplain=Cornerback / Return specialist
birthdate=birth date and age|1975|10|22
birthplace=Dallas, Texas
heightft=5
heightin=8
weight=175
debutyear=1998
debutteam=Philadelphia Eagles
college=Notre Dame
draftyear=1998
draftround=3
draftpick=85
pastteams=
* Philadelphia Eagles (1998-1999)
* Green Bay Packers (2000-2001)
* Atlanta Falcons (2002-2006)
* Pittsburgh Steelers (2007)
* San Francisco 49ers (2008-present)
status=Active
highlights=
* Pro Bowl alternate (2000)
* Pro Bowl selection (2004)
nfl=ROS771225

Allen Bonshaca Lamont Rossum (pronEng|ROSS-um) (born October 22, 1975 in Dallas, Texas) is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame.

Early years

Allen Rossum attended Skyline High School in Dallas, Texas, where he played option quarterback, receiver and tailback in addition to returning kicks and playing defensive back. He recorded 580 tackles and 13 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,634 yards and had 12 touchdown receptions as a senior. Rossum was an accomplished track star as well, captaining his high school team all four years and setting the 1993 HS record in the 100m with a 10.02. [Citation |last= |first= |title=Falcons' Smaller Player Coming Up Big |url=http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/fromcomments_related/57588.php |publisher="Dallas Morning News" |date=2005-01-19 |accessdate=2008-10-03]

College career

Rossum was recruited by every school in the former Southwest Conference. [Citation |last= |first= |title=Rossum Has Irish Opener Covered |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/1997/09/06/1997-09-06_rossum_has_irish_opener_cove.html |publisher="NY Daily News" |date=1997-09-06 |accessdate=2008-10-03] He accepted a scholarship from the University of Notre Dame, where he became a starter for the Fighting Irish football team during his sophomore year and served as one of three senior captains in 1997. During his career there, he set an NCAA career record with nine touchdown returns (three interceptions, three punts and three kickoffs). As a cornerback, he tallied seven interceptions, 144 tackles, two sacks and 12 passes defensed. He also ran for the Irish track team, becoming a two-time All American competing in the 55-meter dash. Rossum graduated early from Notre Dame with a dual degree in business and computer science.

Professional career

Rossum was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round (85th overall) of the 1998 NFL draft. He played two seasons with the Eagles as a return specialist and backup cornerback, but was acquired by the Green Bay Packers for an undisclosed 2001 draft pick. After two seasons with the Packers, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an unrestricted free agent and became the team’s all-time leader in kickoff and punt return yardage. Rossum won the NFL's "fastest man" competition at the 2005 Pro Bowl, where he also made his first appearance for the NFC squad as a kick returner, replacing injured Eddie Drummond of the Detroit Lions. In a 2004 postseason win over the St.Louis Rams, he set a playoff record with 152 punt return yards on just 3 returns, an average of 50.7 yards per return. In 2007, Rossum was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2008 conditional draft pick, but was released after one season. [Citation |last= |first= |title=Steelers release three veterans |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/02/22/bc.fbn.steelersmoves.ap/ |publisher="Sports Illustrated" |date=2008-02-22 |accessdate=2008-03-01] He signed with the San Francisco 49ers on February 29, 2008. [Citation |last= |first= |title=Niners sign KR Rossum after down year |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7855962/Niners-sign-KR-Rossum-after-down-year |publisher="FOX Sports" |date=2008-02-29 |accessdate=2008-03-01] The 49ers have used him primarily as a kick returner, although he scored a rushing touchdown against the Detroit Lions on September 21, 2008.

Career statistics

Defensive
*Tackle: 97.0
*Ast:19
*Sack: 2
*INT:2
*INT yds:22
*INT yd avg:11.0
*Pass Def: 10

Kick Returns
*Number: 375
*Yds: 8553
*Avg: 22.8
*Long: 98
*TD: 4
*40 yd+:20

Punt Returns
*Number: 207
*Yards: 2229
*Avg: 10.8
*Lng:75
*TD:3
*20 yd+:32

Rossum's Highs
*Tackles 8 Atl (9-13-98)
*Kick Returns 8 Ind (11-19-00)
*Kick Returns-Yds. 222 Wash (11-14-99)
*Punt Returns 5 Phi (9-17-00)
*Punt Returns-Yds. 68 T.B (11-14-01)

References

External links

* [http://sf49ers.com/team/roster_detail.php?PRKey=170&section=TE%20Roster San Francisco 49ers bio]