1. Jonathan Polynice Vilma was born on April 16,1982 and is an American color analyst and former professional football player in the National Football League.
40 Facts About Jonathan Vilma
1. 2.
Jonathan Vilma played as a linebacker and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection.
3.
Jonathan Vilma was selected by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft.
4.
Jonathan Vilma won a Super Bowl championship with the New Orleans Saints.
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Jonathan Vilma serves as a color analyst for the NFL on Fox.
6.
Jonathan Vilma previously worked at ESPN as a college football commentator and studio analyst.
7.
Jonathan Vilma was elected as a member of the Orange Bowl Committee in 2018.
8.
Jonathan Vilma was born in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York City to Haitian immigrant parents.
9.
Jonathan Vilma received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Miami, and played for coach Butch Davis and coach Larry Coker's Miami Hurricanes football teams from 2000 to 2003.
10.
In 2000, Jonathan Vilma played in all 11 games as a reserve middle linebacker and compiled 38 tackles and a pass deflection.
11.
Jonathan Vilma led the team in tackles with 79 and compiled two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery for a 36-yard touchdown, three pass deflections and an interception.
12.
Jonathan Vilma started 11 of 12 games during the regular season and was selected on the First-team All-Big East team.
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Jonathan Vilma led Miami in tackles with 133, and had two quarterback sacks, a forced fumble, recovered two fumbles, and broke up five passes.
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Jonathan Vilma ended the year as a finalist for the Butkus Award.
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Jonathan Vilma received a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Miami's School of Business Administration.
16.
Jonathan Vilma was interviewed about his time at the University of Miami for the documentary The U, which premiered December 12,2009, on ESPN.
17.
Jonathan Vilma was drafted by the Jets in the first round with the 12th selection in the 2004 NFL draft.
18.
In 2004, Jonathan Vilma was named as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press.
19.
In 2005, Jonathan Vilma led the NFL in tackles with 169, forced four fumbles, notched one fumble recovery, half a sack, and one interception.
20.
Jonathan Vilma compiled 114 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one interception.
21.
On October 27,2007, Jonathan Vilma was placed on injured reserve.
22.
Jonathan Vilma suffered a season ending knee injury during the New York Jets week 7 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
23.
Jonathan Vilma played in all 16 games, and recorded 132 tackles with one sack.
24.
On February 27,2009, Jonathan Vilma signed a five-year, $34 million contract with the Saints.
25.
Jonathan Vilma was elected one of the defensive captains, led the team in tackles, had three interceptions, and was chosen for his second Pro Bowl.
26.
In Super Bowl XLIV on February 7,2010, Jonathan Vilma made several important plays, including making a key defensive audible and deflecting a pass on 3rd and 11 in the fourth quarter.
27.
Jonathan Vilma again led the team in tackles in 2010, started every game, and was selected to the Pro Bowl.
28.
Jonathan Vilma was ranked 37th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2011.
29.
Jonathan Vilma was ranked 58th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2012.
30.
Jonathan Vilma was a central figure in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal.
31.
The league alleged that Jonathan Vilma offered $10,000 cash to anyone who knocked Brett Favre out of the 2009 NFC Championship Game.
32.
Jonathan Vilma found out about the suspension when it was announced on SportsCenter, immediately announced his intent to appeal and adamantly denied that he was involved in any sort of bounty scheme.
33.
Jonathan Vilma's suspension was overturned on September 7, and he was reinstated for the 2012 season.
34.
Jonathan Vilma's suspension lasted throughout the entire 2012 season, but he was allowed to retain his paychecks for the first six weeks of the season.
35.
Jonathan Vilma continued his defamation lawsuit against commissioner Goodell, but it was ultimately dismissed in January 2013.
36.
In total, Jonathan Vilma played in 11 games during the 2012 season.
37.
On February 12,2014, Jonathan Vilma's contract was not renewed with the New Orleans Saints.
38.
Jonathan Vilma officially retired from football, and was honored by the Saints before their home game on December 6,2015.
39.
Jonathan Vilma was inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame on October 29,2017.
40.
Jonathan Vilma is a spokesman for Under Armour and WaterBank of America USA Inc.