Cortland Finnegan is a former American football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons. He was born on February 2, 1984, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and attended Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.
Finnegan began his professional football career when he was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played for the Titans for six seasons, from 2006 to 2011, and quickly established himself as one of the league's top cornerbacks. He was known for his aggressive playing style, physicality, and ability to shut down opposing receivers.
In 2008, Finnegan was named to the Pro Bowl, which is the NFL's all-star game, for the first time in his career. He was also named a first-team All-Pro that year, which is an honor given to the best players at each position in the league. Finnegan continued to play at a high level for the Titans over the next few seasons, earning a reputation as one of the toughest and most tenacious players in the league.
After the 2011 season, Finnegan became a free agent and signed a five-year, $50 million contract with the St. Louis Rams. He played for the Rams for three seasons, from 2012 to 2014, but was hampered by injuries during his time there. Despite this, he continued to be a productive player when he was on the field, and he was named to the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career in 2013.
Finnegan's final season in the NFL was in 2015, when he played for the Carolina Panthers. He signed with the Panthers in March of that year but was released in November after playing in just five games. He announced his retirement from football in April 2016.
Throughout his career, Finnegan was known for his fiery personality and his willingness to get into confrontations with opposing players. He was involved in several high-profile altercations on the field, including a notorious brawl with Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson in 2010. Despite this, he was widely respected by his peers for his toughness and his ability to play at a high level despite his relatively small stature (he is listed at 5'9" and 185 pounds).
In retirement, Finnegan has remained involved in football as a coach and mentor to young players. He has also been active in charitable work, including founding the Cortland Finnegan Football Camp, which provides free football instruction to underprivileged children.
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