Antonio Armstrong facts for kids

Antonio Donnell Armstrong (born Antonio Donnell Shorter; October 15, 1973 – July 29, 2016) was an American football linebacker. He played professionally in both the National Football League (NFL) and the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Playing Football: Antonio Armstrong's Journey

Antonio Armstrong was a talented football player. He was known for his strong defensive skills. He played at a high level in both college and professional leagues.

High School and College Years

Antonio Armstrong started his football journey at Kashmere High School. After high school, he went on to play for Texas A&M. He quickly became a standout player there.

As a junior, Armstrong showed his skills in the 1994 Cotton Bowl Classic. He was named the Defensive Player of the Game. In that game, he made eight tackles and three sacks. A tackle is when a defensive player stops an offensive player with the ball. A sack is when a defensive player tackles the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage.

In his senior year (1994), Armstrong earned AP All-America honors. This means he was recognized as one of the best college players in the country. He made 62 tackles that year. Seventeen of those tackles were behind the line of scrimmage, which is a great achievement for a defensive player. He was also a semifinalist for the Butkus Award. This award goes to the best linebacker in college football. He was also chosen twice for the All-SWC team.

Professional Football Career

Antonio Armstrong played in two major professional football leagues. He played in the NFL and the CFL.

Time in the National Football League

The 1995 NFL Draft is where NFL teams pick new players. Armstrong was chosen by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round. Unfortunately, he broke his ankle early in training camp. He was later signed to the team's practice squad. A practice squad is a group of players who train with the team but are not on the main roster.

He was released from the 49ers' practice squad in October 1995. The very next day, he joined the Miami Dolphins' practice squad. A week later, he moved to their active roster. Armstrong played in four games for the Dolphins that season. He made four solo tackles. The next year, he signed with the St. Louis Rams. However, he was released after their training camp.

Playing in the Canadian Football League

In 1998, Armstrong joined the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He quickly became a starter and played two seasons with the team.

In 2000, Armstrong was traded to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He had a fantastic year with them. He was named Winnipeg's defensive player of the year. He was also an East Division All-star in 2000.

On October 15, 2000, Armstrong suffered another serious injury. He fractured his left ankle, which ended his season. He tried to return to the NFL, but his injury limited him. He later re-signed with the Bombers in September 2001. He even started in the 2001 Grey Cup game, which is the CFL's championship game. In 2002, Armstrong decided to retire from football. This was due to a contract disagreement and ongoing physical issues from his ankle injury.

Later Life

Antonio Armstrong passed away in Houston, Texas, on July 29, 2016. He was 42 years old.