Justin Bethel is a former American football player who played as a cornerback and special teams player. He was born on June 17, 1990, in Sumter, South Carolina, and attended Presbyterian College, where he played college football for the Presbyterian Blue Hose.
Bethel was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as one of the best special teams players in the league, earning three Pro Bowl selections in his first three seasons. He also played as a cornerback, starting 14 games in his first four seasons with the Cardinals.
In 2017, Bethel signed with the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent. He played in all 16 games for the Falcons, primarily as a special teams player. He recorded 12 tackles and one forced fumble during the season.
The following year, Bethel signed with the Baltimore Ravens. He played in all 16 games for the Ravens, once again primarily as a special teams player. He recorded 14 tackles and one forced fumble during the season.
In 2019, Bethel signed with the New England Patriots. He played in 12 games for the Patriots, primarily as a special teams player. He recorded six tackles and one forced fumble during the season.
Bethel signed with the Baltimore Ravens again in 2020. He played in all 16 games for the Ravens, primarily as a special teams player. He recorded 10 tackles and one forced fumble during the season.
In March 2021, Bethel signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers. He played in all 16 games for the Panthers, primarily as a special teams player. He recorded 11 tackles and one forced fumble during the season.
Overall, Bethel played in 144 regular-season games during his NFL career, recording 122 tackles, four interceptions, and four forced fumbles. He was primarily known for his exceptional play on special teams, earning four Pro Bowl selections and three First-Team All-Pro selections during his career.
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