Donte Whitner is a former American football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons. He was born on July 24, 1985, in Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Glenville High School, where he played football and was a standout athlete.
Whitner played college football at Ohio State University, where he was a two-time All-American and a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the best defensive back in college football. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft, and he played for the Bills for five seasons.
During his time with the Bills, Whitner established himself as one of the best safeties in the league. He was known for his hard-hitting style of play and his ability to make plays in the passing game. He was named to the Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team in 2006 and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2009.
After his time with the Bills, Whitner played for the San Francisco 49ers for three seasons. He was a key member of the 49ers' defense during their run to the Super Bowl in 2012, and he was named a team captain in 2013.
Whitner then played for the Cleveland Browns for two seasons before finishing his career with the Washington Redskins in 2016. He retired from the NFL in 2017.
Throughout his career, Whitner was known for his leadership and his ability to make big plays on defense. He finished his career with 11 interceptions, 9.5 sacks, and 903 tackles. He was also a two-time All-Pro and a three-time Pro Bowler.
Off the field, Whitner was known for his philanthropic work. He established the Donte Whitner Foundation, which provides resources and support to underprivileged youth in his hometown of Cleveland. He was also involved in various other charitable organizations throughout his career.
Overall, Donte Whitner had a successful career in the NFL, and he will be remembered as one of the best safeties of his era.
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