Cato June facts for kids
June at a Super Bowl XLI
press conference in 2007 |
|||||||||||||
| Indianapolis Colts | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Assistant linebackers coach | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born: | November 18, 1979 Riverside, California, U.S. |
||||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 225 lb (102 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | Anacostia (Washington, D.C.) | ||||||||||||
| College: | Michigan | ||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2003 / Round: 6 / Pick: 198 | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
| As player: | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| As coach: | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||
Cato Nnamdi June (born November 18, 1979) is an American football coach and former player. He is currently an assistant linebackers coach for the Indianapolis Colts in the National Football League (NFL).
June played as a linebacker in the NFL. The Colts picked him in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL draft. He was chosen for the 2006 Pro Bowl. June was a key player for the Super Bowl XLI champion Colts team that beat the Chicago Bears. During that championship season, he was the Colts' top tackler. He also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Before becoming a professional, June played college football for the Michigan Wolverines. He was a fantastic athlete in high school football, basketball, track and field, and baseball. He attended Anacostia High School in Washington, D.C. As a senior, many people thought he was the best high school football player in D.C.
He led Anacostia to win the District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association (DCIAA) football championship when he was a sophomore. He also played in two more championship games. As a junior, he was the city champion in the triple jump. In his senior year, he received many honors in football. These included Player of the Year awards from Gatorade, USA Today, and The Washington Post. He was also a Parade All-American. June was also co-class president, salutatorian, and a member of the National Honor Society.
June was highly sought after by colleges because he was a great athlete, student, and leader. He received many scholarship offers. He chose the University of Michigan. He joined the recruiting class for the defending national champions. This class was considered the best in the country. He became a starter late in his first year. However, he missed the next entire season due to an injury. He returned as a starter in his third year. He continued starting as a safety until an injury slowed him down in his final year. Even with injuries, he was named an honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference player. He was also chosen to play in the Senior Bowl.
June spent a year playing on special teams. He became a starter during the 2004 NFL season. In the 2005 NFL season, he started with many interceptions for a linebacker. This helped his team begin the season with a 13–0 record. They then went to the 2005–06 NFL playoffs. He was a Pro Bowl player that year. The next year, he finished seventh in the NFL in tackles as the Colts won Super Bowl XLI. After four seasons with the Colts, he joined the Buccaneers. He was the first player to take the starting spot from 11-time Pro Bowler Derrick Brooks. After two seasons with the Buccaneers, he signed with the Houston Texans. He broke his forearm during training camp in 2009 and was released. He then signed with the Bears but was released after two weeks. After retiring from the NFL, he became a football coach at his old high school.
Contents
Early Life and High School Football
June grew up in Oklahoma. As a high school freshman, he went to Muskogee High School. He thought he would play football for either Oklahoma or Oklahoma State. His high school football team had many fans, with 8,000 people attending games.
When June was a sophomore in 1995, he moved to Washington, D.C., with his mother, Marjani Dele. She enrolled him in a summer college prep program. There, he met Troy Stewart, whose father, Willie Stewart, was the head coach at Anacostia High School. Troy and his father convinced June to join Anacostia High School. That season, he played cornerback, wide receiver, and kickoff returner.
On Thanksgiving Day, Anacostia won the DCIAA championship game, called the Turkey Bowl. They beat Dunbar High School 40–31. In that game, June intercepted a pass and returned it 92 yards for a touchdown. This gave his team an 8–7 lead. That season, he was chosen for The Washington Post's 1995 All-Met Football team as a defensive back. The next spring, he played shortstop and pitcher for the school baseball team.
Before winning the city championship, Anacostia played football on a very rough field. In 1996, the Mayor of Washington, D.C., Marion Barry, helped the team get new grass for their field. As a junior, June, who wore #1, rushed for 90 yards and scored two touchdowns in the DCIAA semi-final game. In the championship game, June fumbled near the goal line. This allowed Cardozo Senior High School to score and win. During his junior year, he was also part of the basketball team that won the Washington D.C. city high school basketball championship.
As a senior, he was named an honorable mention All-American by USA Today. He was also a SuperPrep All-American. He was a 6-foot-1-inch (1.85 m), 190-pound (86 kg) defensive back. During the season, the football team faced challenges, including a school crisis and the death of a player and a coach. That season, he sometimes switched from defensive back to linebacker. By mid-season, people across the country were calling him the nation's best player. As a senior, he rushed for 121 yards and scored two touchdowns in the DCIAA semi-final game. Before the championship game, no one had caught a touchdown against him, and he had not fumbled. In the championship game, June scored a touchdown that gave Anacostia an 8–6 lead. However, Howard D. Woodson High School and quarterback Byron Leftwich won the game 26–22.
At the end of his senior season, he was chosen for the 1997 All-Met team by The Washington Post. He was described as the top DCIAA defensive back and a running back. He scored 18 two-point conversions and returned three kickoffs for touchdowns. He was named The Washington Post All-Met Defensive Player of the Year. He was also USA Today District of Columbia Player of the Year and Second-team All-USA. That season, he did not allow a touchdown. He had five interceptions (two for touchdowns), 84 solo tackles, and 39 assists. Offensively, he had 889 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was the only Parade All-American from the Washington area. He was also named a Gatorade Player of the Year for D.C. June played for coach Willie Stewart, who led Anacostia to seven straight DCIAA championship games. June played in three of these, and was MVP of the 1995 victory.
As a senior, June was a member of the National Honor Society. He was also co-class president and a candidate for valedictorian with a 3.8 grade point average. Besides football, he played baseball, basketball, and track and field. In track, he ran the 100 meters in 10.5 seconds and the 200 meters in 21.6 seconds. He was the city champion in the triple jump as a junior. He was a starting small forward on the basketball team that won three DCIAA championships. He received second-team All-conference honors in his senior year. By Thanksgiving Day 1997, he had 35 scholarship offers. His dream school was the University of North Carolina because of its sports and academics. He was recruited by top football programs like Syracuse and Miami. His top five choices were Michigan, Ohio State, Florida, North Carolina, and Penn State. He later replaced Penn State with Miami on his visit list. He chose Michigan on January 13, 1998.
He joined the nation's top recruiting class for the undefeated defending national champion Wolverines. This team recruited many highly-rated players. June graduated as salutatorian.
College Career at Michigan
June played college football at the University of Michigan. He switched from cornerback to safety and wore jersey #2. This number was previously worn by 1997 Heisman Trophy winner, Charles Woodson. His head coach, Lloyd Carr, used to coach defensive backs. June did not play in his first year (1998 season) to save a year of eligibility.
In his first playing season (1999), he intercepted a pass in his second game. He played in all twelve games and started the last four games at free safety. He made several big plays that season. He recovered a fumble against Illinois. In the next game against Indiana, he blocked a punt and recovered the ball, leading to a touchdown. He got his first start against Northwestern and sacked the quarterback. Against Penn State, he forced a fumble that led to a Michigan score. In his best game of the season, he had a team-high 10 tackles against Ohio State. June also recovered a fumble that led to Michigan's final touchdown. The season ended with a win against Alabama in the 2000 Orange Bowl.
Before his 2000 season, June suffered a serious knee injury that required surgery. He missed the entire season. His absence caused another player to switch positions to safety.
In the 2001 season, June was a welcome addition back to the team. In the second game, he was called for a penalty against Washington. A few weeks later, he had a career-high two sacks against Illinois. The next week, he had an interception in a shutout win against Penn State. June had been starting at free safety, but this was his first start at strong safety. He led the team in tackles against Purdue. In the next game, his fourth-quarter interception led to a comeback win against Iowa. In the game against Michigan State, June left the game with another injury to his right knee. June started all but one game and finished fourth on the team in tackles.
In his senior season (2002), June made a key play against Notre Dame. He stopped a play that gave Michigan the ball with two minutes left. Against Illinois, he had a sack. In the win over Penn State, he made a key defensive play. In the victory over Purdue, he recovered a final kick by Purdue. In a game with Iowa, June was injured and left the game on a stretcher. He was released from the hospital the next morning. June missed the game against Michigan State. He played in the game against Minnesota. June was healthy for the 2003 Outback Bowl against Florida, where he had nine tackles. That season, June had 36 tackles and two sacks. He finished his college career with 102 tackles and six sacks.
June was named an honorable mention All-Big Ten player. He was also chosen to play in the 2003 Senior Bowl. At the 2003 NFL Scouting Combine, June ran the slowest 40-yard dash among free safeties. June was one of six Michigan players drafted in the 2003 NFL draft.
Professional Football Career
Indianapolis Colts
On April 27, 2003, the Indianapolis Colts drafted June in the sixth round. They expected him to play weak side linebacker. Colts coach Tony Dungy had successfully changed college safeties into linebackers before. June signed a three-year contract with the Colts on July 23. During the 2003 NFL season, June played mostly on special teams. He was on the roster for the 2003–04 NFL playoffs.
After losing to the New England Patriots, the Colts changed their linebacker lineup. June was listed as a starter for the 2004 Colts training camp. June became the starting weakside linebacker. He made his debut as a starter against the 2004 Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. In week 5, June had ten tackles and his first interception against the Oakland Raiders. In week 15, June returned an interception 71 yards. June was the Colts' leading tackler that season. He started every game.
June's 2004 season was considered average. In 2005, June won the starting position. He recorded an interception that he ran back for a touchdown in the first game against the Baltimore Ravens. On October 9, he had two interceptions, one for a touchdown, helping Indianapolis reach a 5–0 record. The next week, June had two more interceptions. Both led to touchdowns as the Colts beat the St. Louis Rams 17–0. After six games, June led the NFL in interceptions. June had a season-high fourteen tackles against the Houston Texans, helping the Colts reach 9–0. June missed the December 11 game against the Jackson Jaguars. The Colts reached 13–0, winning their division. June was able to play, but the Colts lost their next game. After being named to the 2006 Pro Bowl, June missed the last two games of the season. June was chosen as a first-time Pro Bowl starter. In the playoffs, June had an interception and four tackles in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. June was named second-team All-Pro. Despite missing three games, June finished third on the team with 109 tackles and led the team with 5 interceptions.
June had two surgeries in February 2006. The Colts offered him a contract on March 2, 2006. On April 24, June signed a one-year contract. When the 2006 Colts training camp started, June's health limited him. In week 5, June had 9 tackles as the Colts improved to 5–0. He followed with 15 tackles as they moved to 6–0. June forced a fumble in the seventh game. He intercepted two Tom Brady passes as the team improved to 8–0 against the New England Patriots. June led the team with nine tackles as they moved to 9–0. June finished the season ranked seventh in the NFL and first on the team in tackles. During the 2006–07 NFL playoffs, he helped the Colts win Super Bowl XLI. June started every game for the Colts that season and in the playoffs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
June was known as a fast linebacker. On March 17, 2007, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers used a defensive strategy similar to what June was used to. The contract was for three years and $12 million.
In Tampa, June joined a defense that had been one of the best in the league. When June arrived, it was clear that Derrick Brooks would stay at his weakside linebacker position. June moved to strongside linebacker. June was very dedicated and enthusiastic. For example, he flew to Indianapolis for the Colts' Super Bowl ring ceremony but returned without missing any Buccaneers practice. June became the starter for the 2007 Buccaneers. June wore #59 again. Because of his experience, June was expected to stay in the game during passing plays.
June made his first interception as a Buccaneer in his second game. It led to a touchdown in a 31–14 win against the New Orleans Saints. In his third game, June made a key tackle that led to a missed field goal by the St. Louis Rams. After four weeks, the Bucs were 3–1. June was the team's third-leading tackler. The Colts beat June and the Buccaneers 33–14 on October 7. After six weeks, the Bucs were 4–2. June was second on his team in assists. June had nine tackles and forced a fumble in a 31–7 win over the Atlanta Falcons. The Bucs then reached 9–5 and won their division. June and other star players rested for the final two games. June was injured in the final game and missed the Bucs' 2007–08 NFL playoffs game against the New York Giants. June finished his first season with the Bucs with 69 tackles and one interception. The Bucs' defense finished second in the league.
June had foot surgery in February 2008. In the opening game of the season, Brooks suffered an injury. June made his first interception of the season against the New Orleans Saints. After the Buccaneers lost their final four games and missed the playoffs, the team changed coaches. June was released by the Buccaneers on February 25, 2009.
Later Professional Teams
The Houston Texans signed June on April 4, 2009. He was expected to compete for the weakside linebacker position. However, on August 20, June broke his forearm during practice. He had surgery and was expected to miss 6–8 weeks. June was placed on injured reserve and later released.
June signed with the Chicago Bears on December 1, 2009. He was signed to replace Lance Briggs who had a knee injury. He played on special teams on December 6, against the St. Louis Rams. He was released on December 14.
June was signed by the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League on September 8, 2010. In June 2011, the Nighthawks released June.
NFL Statistics
| Year | Team | GP | COMB | TOTAL | AST | SACK | FF | FR | FR YDS | INT | IR YDS | AVG IR | LNG | TD | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | IND | 11 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | IND | 16 | 110 | 84 | 26 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 71 | 36 | 71 | 0 | 8 |
| 2005 | IND | 13 | 102 | 68 | 34 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 115 | 23 | 36 | 2 | 6 |
| 2006 | IND | 16 | 143 | 97 | 46 | 1.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 4 |
| 2007 | TB | 16 | 69 | 48 | 21 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2008 | TB | 16 | 67 | 49 | 18 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Career | 88 | 499 | 352 | 147 | 1.0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 201 | 17 | 71 | 2 | 24 |
Key
- GP: games played
- COMB: combined tackles
- TOTAL: total tackles
- AST: assisted tackles
- SACK: sacks
- FF: forced fumbles
- FR: fumble recoveries
- FR YDS: fumble return yards
- INT: interceptions
- IR YDS: interception return yards
- AVG IR: average interception return
- LNG: longest interception return
- TD: interceptions returned for touchdown
- PD: passes defensed
Coaching Career
Early Coaching Roles
June was the defensive coordinator for Anacostia High School in 2011. He then became the head coach for the 2012 season. In three seasons at Anacostia, June had a 12–23 record. He then became head coach at Charles Herbert Flowers High School in 2015.
Howard University
In April 2016, June became the running backs coach and assistant recruiting coordinator at Howard University for Howard Bison football.
UMass and Bowling Green
On March 4, 2020, June was hired as the outside linebacker coach for the Massachusetts Minutemen. In 2021, he served as the outside linebackers coach for Bowling Green.
Indianapolis Colts (Current)
In 2022, June became the assistant linebackers coach for the Colts. He works under Jeff Saturday.
Personal Life and Interests
The name Cato is of Nigerian origin and has been in June's family for many generations. His great-great-grandfather, Cato, was a runaway slave. The name has been passed down through eight generations. One source says the name means "wise and cautious."
June's mother, Marjani, is a minister. She spent nine months helping in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. June has tattoos. One of his tattoos says "Big Time," which was his nickname in high school and college. He got his first tattoo, his college number 2, after he turned 18.
June's grandfather, Will June, became the oldest player to bowl two perfect games in a row on August 31, 2010, at 75 years old.
In college, June and his roommate, Victor Hobson, enjoyed playing Madden NFL 2003 on PlayStation 2. They played in an apartment known as "The Stadium," where football team members often competed. As a professional, June became a big fan of fantasy football. He even played in a league just for NFL players. He won the 2008 NFL Players league championship. June also enjoys boxing workouts.
During the 2005 season, June and Gary Brackett visited elementary schools for a food drive. As part of a United Service Organizations event for Veterans Day 2008, June and other players played video games with United States military personnel. During Super Bowl XLIII week in Tampa, June hosted a charity event for the June Family Foundation. This foundation helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds learn about different careers.
