Antoine Winfield is a former American football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He was born on June 24, 1977, in Akron, Ohio, and attended Ohio State University, where he played college football for the Buckeyes.
Winfield was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft, and he spent the first nine seasons of his career with the team. During his time in Buffalo, Winfield established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the league, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2008 and 2009. He was known for his physicality, tackling ability, and coverage skills, and he was often tasked with covering the opposing team's top receiver.
In 2008, Winfield signed with the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent, and he played for the team for the next five seasons. He continued to play at a high level, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2009 and 2010 and being named a first-team All-Pro in 2008. He was a key member of the Vikings' defense during his time with the team, helping them reach the NFC Championship Game in 2009.
After the 2012 season, Winfield was released by the Vikings and signed with the Seattle Seahawks. However, he announced his retirement from the NFL before the start of the 2013 season.
Throughout his career, Winfield was known for his toughness and durability. He played in 191 regular-season games and started 173 of them, recording 1,054 tackles, 27 interceptions, and 11.5 sacks. He also returned 10 punts for 68 yards and 3 kickoffs for 45 yards.
Winfield's contributions to the NFL were recognized in 2020 when he was named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While he was not ultimately selected for induction, his career is still remembered as one of the best by a cornerback in the modern era of the NFL.
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