Antonio Durran Pierce was born on October 26,1978 and is the linebackers coach for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League.
29 Facts About Antonio Pierce
2.
Antonio Pierce played college football for the University of Arizona.
3.
Antonio Pierce was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent, and played for the New York Giants.
4.
Antonio Pierce played two years of football at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, California, before transferring to the University of Arizona.
5.
Antonio Pierce was not taken in the 2001 NFL Draft after his senior year at Arizona because many NFL scouts considered him too undersized to play linebacker in the NFL.
6.
Antonio Pierce played in all 16 games as a rookie, with only eight starts.
7.
Antonio Pierce recorded 52 tackles, one sack, and one interception during his rookie campaign.
8.
That season Antonio Pierce logged a career-high 114 tackles, 95 of them solo.
9.
Antonio Pierce had one forced fumble, one sack and two interceptions, including a pick off Ken Dorsey returned 76 yards for a touchdown.
10.
Antonio Pierce became the captain of the defense, and in 13 games, Pierce notched 100 tackles, 80 of them solo, two interceptions and one forced fumble returned for a touchdown.
11.
In 2006, Antonio Pierce recorded a career-high 138 tackles, a sack, an interception, and defended eight passes.
12.
Antonio Pierce was named as a first alternate for the Pro Bowl.
13.
Antonio Pierce was invited to play in Hawaii after Brian Urlacher suffered a toe injury in Super Bowl XLI, and withdrew from the Pro Bowl.
14.
Antonio Pierce made a key tackle in the first half of the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers, stopping running back Brandon Jackson on a screen pass on 3rd and 8, saving a touchdown and forcing the Packers to settle for a field goal instead.
15.
Antonio Pierce was released by the team on February 11,2010.
16.
Antonio Pierce stated that he would then begin his career as an NFL analyst for ESPN.
17.
On February 7,2014, Antonio Pierce was named the head coach at national powerhouse Long Beach Polytechnic High School, replacing Raul Lara, who stepped down as the head coach of the program after 13 seasons.
18.
On December 21,2017, Antonio Pierce announced his resignation as head coach and was named linebackers coach at Arizona State University.
19.
Antonio Pierce is married to Jocelyn and is the father of seven.
20.
For several years, Antonio Pierce has offered a free football camp for underprivileged youths.
21.
Antonio Pierce is involved in the "Re=ad Across America" program where he reads to children whose parents are undergoing treatment for chemical dependency at the Odyssey House in Harlem.
22.
In 2007, Antonio Pierce received the "United Way Man of the Year" award and was honored by the Catholic Diocese for his support of the community.
23.
Antonio Pierce was honored at the 2008 ESPY awards along with the Giants.
24.
Antonio Pierce was present when teammate Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself in the thigh at the Latin Quarter Night Club in New York City on November 28,2008.
25.
Police say that Antonio Pierce drove Burress to the hospital and then returned home with the gun in the glove compartment of his car.
26.
Burress was charged with, and ultimately pleaded guilty to, criminal possession of a weapon; however Antonio Pierce was not indicted on any charges.
27.
Antonio Pierce was represented in the matter by notable NYC criminal defense attorney, Michael F Bachner.
28.
Antonio Pierce served as a communications intern on The Howard Stern Show on May 7,2008.
29.
Antonio Pierce stated he would like to pursue a career in broadcasting after his NFL career.