Antwoine Womack

Antwoine Womack (born March 20, 1978 in Hampton, Virginia) is an American football player.

Early life and education

Womack's football career began at Phoebus High School in Hampton, Virginia, where he was the first football player in school history to have his number retired. He finished his career as the Virginia Group AAA all-time leading rusher with 5,570 yards and was named the state's top football prospect his senior season.

Womack was the subject of an intense recruiting battle between the University of Virginia and Penn State. He chose Penn State - at first. He then changed his mind and decided he wanted to play for Virginia.

He was initially successful at Virginia, backing up all-time leading rusher Thomas Jones and leading the team in rushing in one game.

However, Womack's personal life slowed down his college football career. He was convicted of assault during his freshman year for inappropriately touching a woman at a party. Less than a year later, Womack was convicted of misdemeanor assault for his role in a fight. The second charge caused him to miss the 1999 football season.

Womack's junior season in 2000 was truly his coming-out party (after a year's layoff). He was outstanding in his first season as the Cavaliers' starter, totaling an ACC-best 1,028 yards and nine touchdowns. He earned first-team All-ACC honors for his efforts and received Virginia's Outstanding Offensive Player Award.

The 2001 season was shaping up to be Womack's best at Virignia. However, in the first quarter of the season opener against Wisconsin, he slipped on the wet artificial turf and sprained his ankle and missed several games. Womack returned later in the year for a game against Georgia Tech and helped spark a Virginia comeback. He also led the Virginia comeback against Penn State in his final collegiate game, rushing for 153 yards on 31 carries.

NFL career

Womack entered the NFL by way of the 2002 draft as the 26th selection of the 7th round (pick 237 overall), being selected by the New England Patriots. He spent the 2002 season on injured reserve and did not play due to continuing problems from his 2001 ankle injury.

On August 25, 2003 the Patriots released Womack.

Womack was on the New York Giants roster as a designated running back in 2004. However, after injuring his knee in pre-season practice, the Giants waived him on August 2, 2004. He was listed on the injured reserve list for the New York Giants as of December 31, 2004.

External links

* [http://www.nfl.com/players/antwoinewomack/profile?id=WOM154866 NFL.com profile]