Antoine Bethea facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Antoine Bethea

Bethea with the Giants in 2019
No. 41
Position:	Safety
Personal information
Born:	(1984-07-27) July 27, 1984 (age 41) Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:	201 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:	Denbigh (Newport News, Virginia)
College:	Howard (2002–2005)
NFL Draft:	2006 / Round: 6 / Pick: 207
Career history
Indianapolis Colts (2006–2013) San Francisco 49ers (2014–2016) Arizona Cardinals (2017–2018) New York Giants (2019)
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XLI) 3× Pro Bowl (2007, 2009, 2014) Black College Football Hall of Fame Pro Player of the Year (2017)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 1,334 Sacks: 9.5 Forced fumbles: 9 Pass deflections: 80 Interceptions: 25 Defensive touchdowns: 1
Player stats at PFR

Antoine Akeem Bethea (born July 27, 1984) is a former American football player. He played as a safety for 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Antoine played college football for the Howard Bison. The Indianapolis Colts picked him in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL draft. Bethea also played for the San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Giants. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl three times. He won Super Bowl XLI with the Colts, defeating the Chicago Bears.

College Football Journey

Antoine Bethea went to Howard University. He studied administration of justice there. He played for the Howard Bison football team. He started 31 of 37 games as a safety.

Early College Years

In his first year, he played in five games. He made 13 tackles. In his second year, he had a career-best 109 tackles. He started in 10 of 11 games. He also had one sack, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He broke up six passes and blocked one kick.

Becoming a Star Player

In his third year, he made three interceptions. He also had two sacks and four forced fumbles. He broke up eight passes in 11 starts. He finished the year with 99 tackles and two sacks. Bethea earned All-Mid-Eastern Conference honors. He was also selected for the Black College All-American Team. This team included NFL stars like Steve McNair and Shannon Sharpe. He received these honors for three years in a row.

Senior Season Success

Bethea continued to play well in his senior year. He made 88 tackles and broke up six passes. He also had a career-high four interceptions in 10 games. This was his third straight year leading his team in tackles. His performance earned him 1st-Team All-America honors.

College Career Highlights

As a three-year starter at Howard, Bethea made 309 tackles. He forced seven fumbles and recovered two. He also broke up 18 passes and made seven interceptions. He scored two touchdowns from recoveries. One was from a blocked kick, and the other from a fumble. Both were returned 26 yards.

Professional Football Career

Many NFL experts thought Bethea would be picked in the third or fourth round of the draft. He was seen as one of the top safety prospects.

Indianapolis Colts Years

The Indianapolis Colts chose Bethea in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL draft. He was the 21st safety picked that year.

Rookie Season (2006)

On July 30, 2006, the Colts signed Bethea to a four-year contract. He competed to be the starting free safety. Coach Tony Dungy named him the starter. He played alongside strong safety Bob Sanders.

Bethea played his first professional game against the New York Giants. He made six tackles and broke up a pass. In Week 3, he had 12 tackles against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In Week 9, he intercepted a pass from Tom Brady. He missed some games due to a shoulder injury. He finished his first season with 90 tackles, four pass deflections, and one interception. He started 14 games.

The Colts finished with a 12–4 record. Bethea played in his first playoff game on January 6, 2007. He intercepted a pass from Trent Green. The next week, he intercepted a pass from Steve McNair. The Colts then won the AFC Championship. On February 4, 2007, Bethea started in Super Bowl XLI. He made four tackles as the Colts beat the Chicago Bears 29–17.

Continued Success (2007-2009)

Bethea remained the starting free safety in 2007. He had four interceptions and 65 tackles in 13 games. He was chosen for the 2008 Pro Bowl as an alternate. In 2008, he had 101 tackles and two interceptions.

In 2009, Jim Caldwell became the new head coach. Bethea continued as a starting safety. He had 95 tackles and four interceptions. He was voted to the 2010 Pro Bowl, his second selection. The Colts reached Super Bowl XLIV but lost to the New Orleans Saints.

Later Colts Seasons (2010-2013)

In 2010, Bethea signed a new four-year contract. He had 107 tackles and one interception. In 2011, he had a career-high 139 tackles. He also forced two fumbles.

In 2012, Chuck Pagano became the new head coach. Bethea remained the starting free safety. He had 100 tackles and two sacks. In 2013, he became the starting strong safety. He had 110 tackles, six pass deflections, and one interception. This was his last season with the Colts.

San Francisco 49ers Years

In 2014, the San Francisco 49ers signed Bethea to a four-year contract.

First Season with 49ers (2014)

Coach Jim Harbaugh named Bethea the starting strong safety. He played alongside Eric Reid. In Week 10, Bethea intercepted a pass from Drew Brees. In Week 16, he intercepted a pass from Philip Rivers and returned it 49 yards for his first career touchdown. He finished the season with 86 tackles, ten pass deflections, and four interceptions. He was chosen as an alternate for the 2015 Pro Bowl and later played in it.

Injuries and Final Season (2015-2016)

In 2015, Bethea started seven games. He made 44 tackles and one interception. He was placed on injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle.

In 2016, Chip Kelly became the new head coach. Bethea started all 16 games. He had 110 tackles, three pass deflections, and one interception. On March 7, 2017, the 49ers released Bethea.

Arizona Cardinals Years

Playing for the Cardinals (2017-2018)

On March 9, 2017, the Arizona Cardinals signed Bethea to a three-year contract. He started as a backup free safety. In Week 6, he intercepted a pass from Jameis Winston. This was his third straight game with an interception. In Week 16, he intercepted two passes from Eli Manning. He finished the 2017 season with 57 tackles, nine pass deflections, and a career-high five interceptions. He also had one sack. He was placed on injured reserve after tearing a pectoral muscle in Week 16.

In 2018, Steve Wilks became Bethea's sixth head coach. Bethea was named the Cardinals' starting free safety. He started all 16 games. He led the team with 120 tackles. He also had four pass deflections and a career-high three sacks. On March 8, 2019, the Cardinals released Bethea.

New York Giants Year

Bethea alongside other Giants' team captains in a game against the Washington Redskins

On March 14, 2019, Bethea signed with the New York Giants. In Week 8, he forced a fumble and recovered it. In Week 9, he intercepted a pass from Dak Prescott on the first play of the game. He also recovered another fumble.

On March 18, 2020, the Giants decided not to keep him. On January 7, 2021, Antoine Bethea announced his retirement. He played for 14 seasons in the NFL.

NFL Career Statistics

Personal Life and Interests

On July 30, 2013, Antoine and his longtime college girlfriend, Samantha Romantini, had a baby girl named Siani. They got married on June 28, 2014, in Washington D.C.. They have since had two sons, born in 2016 and 2019.

Antoine went to Denbigh High School in Newport News, Virginia. He played football for three years and also played basketball. In his senior year, he earned honors in basketball.

In December 2013, Bethea supported PETA's campaign against fur. In 2024, Bethea joined 51 other former football players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in supporting Kamala Harris's presidential campaign.