Eugene Wilson (American football)

Infobox NFLactive


name=Eugene Wilson
currentteam=Houston Texans
currentnumber=26
currentpositionplain=Cornerback / Safety
birthdate=birth date and age|1980|8|17
birthplace=Merrillville, Indiana
heightft=5
heightin=10
weight=195
debutyear=2003
debutteam=New England Patriots
college=Illinois
draftyear=2003
draftround=2
draftpick=36
pastteams=
* New England Patriots (2003-2007)
* Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2008)*
* Houston Texans (2008-present):*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
status= Active
highlights=
* 2x Super Bowl champion (XXXVIII, XXXIX)
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Tackles
statvalue1=251
statlabel2=Sacks
statvalue2=0.0
statlabel3=INTs
statvalue3=10
nfl=WIL686587

Eugene W. Wilson, II (born August 17, 1980 in city-state|Merrillville|Indiana) is an American football defensive back for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Illinois.

Wilson earned two Super Bowl rings during his tenure with the Patriots. He has also been a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Early years

Wilson attended Merrillville High School in Merrillville, Indiana and was a student and a letterman 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

He attended the University of Illinois where he majored in speech communications.

Professional career

New England Patriots

He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round (36th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. He has helped the Patriots win Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2003 and Super Bowl XXXIX in 2004. 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 he 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.

External links

* [http://www.houstontexans.com/team/player.asp?player_id=368 Houston Texans bio]
* [http://fightingillini.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/wilson_eugene00.html Fighting Illini bio]
* [http://www.patriots.com/team/index.cfm?ac=playerbio&bio=23706 New England Patriots bio]
* [http://buccaneers.com/team/playerdetail.aspx?player=Wilson,Eugene,38 Tampa Bay Buccaneers bio]