Will Witherspoon is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for over a decade. He was born on August 19, 1980, in Memphis, Tennessee, and attended the University of Georgia, where he played college football for the Bulldogs.
Witherspoon was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He spent his first four seasons with the Panthers, where he quickly established himself as a reliable and versatile linebacker. Witherspoon played in all 64 games during his time in Carolina, starting in 62 of them. He recorded 365 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and 5 interceptions during his tenure with the Panthers.
In 2006, Witherspoon signed with the St. Louis Rams as a free agent. He played for the Rams for three seasons, starting in all 48 games he played in. Witherspoon continued to be a productive linebacker, recording 294 tackles, 9 sacks, and 3 interceptions during his time in St. Louis.
In 2009, Witherspoon was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles midway through the season. He played in 8 games for the Eagles, starting in all of them. Witherspoon recorded 43 tackles and 2 sacks during his brief stint in Philadelphia.
After his time with the Eagles, Witherspoon signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2010. He played in 12 games for the Titans, starting in 11 of them. Witherspoon recorded 77 tackles and 2 sacks during his lone season in Tennessee.
Witherspoon returned to the Rams in 2011, signing a one-year contract with the team. He played in all 16 games for the Rams, starting in 15 of them. Witherspoon recorded 77 tackles and 3 sacks during his second stint in St. Louis.
In 2012, Witherspoon signed with the Tennessee Titans for a second time. He played in 12 games for the Titans, starting in 5 of them. Witherspoon recorded 30 tackles and 1 sack during his final season in the NFL.
Overall, Witherspoon played in 194 NFL games, starting in 166 of them. He recorded 1,031 tackles, 26.5 sacks, and 12 interceptions during his career. Witherspoon was known for his versatility, as he was able to play both inside and outside linebacker positions. He was also a durable player, missing only 10 games due to injury during his 12-year career.
After retiring from football, Witherspoon has been involved in various business ventures, including real estate and restaurant ownership. He has also been active in philanthropy, supporting various charitable causes in his hometown of Memphis.
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