Justin Bethel was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
45 Facts About Justin Bethel
2.
Justin Bethel started playing football at age 11 when he was in sixth grade.
3.
Justin Bethel attended Blythewood High School where in 2007 he was named Blythewood's Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Defensive Player.
4.
Justin Bethel helped the team win the State Championship in 2006.
5.
Justin Bethel decided to attend Presbyterian, and majored in Business Administration.
6.
Justin Bethel played in 12 games during his freshman season in 2008, amassing 54 tackles and 37 solo tackles.
7.
Justin Bethel had a team-best 79 tackles during 11 games, 55 of which were solo.
8.
Justin Bethel forced one fumble and had 4.5 tackles for a loss.
9.
Justin Bethel caught the attention of pro scouts with a strong performance in the East-West Shrine Game.
10.
Justin Bethel had a YouTube video showing him making a vertical leap onto boxes five feet high.
11.
Justin Bethel received an invitation to the NFL Combine and completed all of the required combine drills.
12.
On March 9,2012, Justin Bethel participated at Presbyterian's pro day and opted to run the 40,20, and 10-yard dash while performing positional drills.
13.
Justin Bethel was ranked as the seventh best free safety prospect in the draft by NFLDraftScout.
14.
Justin Bethel was the first Presbyterian player selected in the NFL Draft since 1969.
15.
Justin Bethel entered his first training camp with the Cardinals as a free safety, but was moved to cornerback by defensive coordinator Ray Horton a few weeks into camp.
16.
Justin Bethel entered Arizona Cardinals' training camp in 2013 competing with Antoine Cason, Jerraud Powers, Jamell Fleming, Javier Arenas, and Bryan McCann for the vacant starting cornerback position left by the departure of William Gay.
17.
On September 15,2013, Justin Bethel blocked a field goal for the first time in his career against the Detroit Lions.
18.
Justin Bethel was selected to be in the 2014 Pro Bowl as a special teams player, joining teammates Patrick Peterson, Antonio Cromartie, and Calais Campbell.
19.
Justin Bethel became the first player from Presbyterian to become a Pro bowler.
20.
Justin Bethel finished his second season with 21 tackles and two field goal blocks.
21.
Justin Bethel competed for the starting cornerback job in training camp, going up against Antonio Cromartie, Jerraud Powers, and Brandon Sermons.
22.
On November 2,2014, Justin Bethel recorded his third career blocked field goal against the Dallas Cowboys.
23.
Justin Bethel was named the NFC special teams Player of the Week three days later.
24.
Justin Bethel was voted to the 2015 Pro Bowl as a special teams player, becoming the second player in franchise history to make the Pro Bowl multiple times as a special teamer.
25.
Justin Bethel entered training camp competing with Jerraud Powers for the vacant starting cornerback job left by the departure of Antonio Cromartie.
26.
Justin Bethel started the regular season as the backup to Patrick Peterson and Jerraud Powers.
27.
Justin Bethel knocked the ball from DeAndrew White, but it was recovered by a 49er.
28.
Justin Bethel became the starting nickelback for the remainder of the season in Week 16 after safety Tyrann Mathieu tore his ACL and was placed on injured reserve.
29.
Justin Bethel finished the regular season with career highs in tackles, passes defended, and interceptions, as well as two forced fumbles and a touchdown.
30.
Justin Bethel received his third consecutive invitation to the 2016 Pro Bowl as a special teams player.
31.
Justin Bethel missed organized team activities and the first three weeks of training camp.
32.
Justin Bethel was expected to be the Arizona Cardinal's starting cornerback alongside Patrick Peterson after Jerraud Powers had departed through free agency.
33.
Justin Bethel began the 2016 season as the backup to Patrick Peterson and Brandon Williams.
34.
Justin Bethel finished the 2016 season with 39 tackles, six pass deflections, an interception, and a touchdown.
35.
Justin Bethel entered training camp in 2017 competing against Brandon Williams, Tramon Williams, and Harlan Miller for the vacant starting cornerback position after Marcus Cooper departed for the Chicago Bears during free agency.
36.
Head coach Bruce Arians named Justin Bethel the starting cornerback, along with Patrick Peterson, to begin the regular season.
37.
Justin Bethel lost the starting job and was demoted to the team's No 3 cornerback in Week 7 due to the emergence of the veteran Tramon Williams.
38.
Justin Bethel finished the 2017 season with 41 tackles, four pass deflections, an interception, and a touchdown.
39.
On March 24,2018, Justin Bethel signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
40.
Justin Bethel played in 14 games primarily on special teams, recording 14 tackles.
41.
On March 15,2019, Justin Bethel signed a two-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens.
42.
On October 22,2019, Justin Bethel signed a two-year contract with the New England Patriots.
43.
Justin Bethel made his debut with the Patriots in week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens.
44.
On March 12,2021, Justin Bethel re-signed with the Patriots on a three-year, $6 million contract.
45.
On September 1,2022, Justin Bethel signed with the Miami Dolphins.