Deshea Townsend is a former American football player who played as a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He was born on September 8, 1975, in Batesville, Mississippi, and attended the University of Alabama, where he played college football for the Crimson Tide.
Townsend was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He spent his entire NFL career with the Steelers, playing for them from 1998 to 2009. During his time with the Steelers, Townsend was known for his versatility and ability to play both cornerback and safety positions. He was also a key contributor on special teams.
Townsend played in 191 regular-season games for the Steelers, starting in 102 of them. He recorded 21 interceptions, 15.5 sacks, and 442 tackles during his career. He also played in 15 playoff games, including three Super Bowls, winning two of them (Super Bowl XL and Super Bowl XLIII).
In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Townsend was also known for his leadership and community involvement. He was a team captain for the Steelers and was named the team's Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2008 for his charitable work.
After his playing career, Townsend went on to become a coach. He served as the assistant defensive backs coach for the Arizona Cardinals from 2011 to 2012 and then joined the Mississippi State Bulldogs as their cornerbacks coach in 2013. He later served as the defensive backs coach for the Tennessee Titans from 2016 to 2018.
Overall, Deshea Townsend had a successful football career, both as a player and a coach. He was a versatile and reliable player for the Steelers and was a key contributor to their success during his time with the team. He also made a positive impact off the field through his leadership and community involvement.
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