Cato June facts for kids
June at a Super Bowl XLI
press conference in 2007 |
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| Indianapolis Colts | |||||||||||||
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| Position: | Assistant linebackers coach | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born: | November 18, 1979 Riverside, California, U.S. |
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| 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 | |||||||||||||
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| As coach: | |||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
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| 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).
Cato June played as a linebacker in the NFL. The Colts picked him in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL draft. He was a 2006 Pro Bowl player. June helped the Colts win Super Bowl XLI against the Chicago Bears. During that Super Bowl winning season, he was the Colts' top tackler. He also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Before becoming a professional, he played college football for the Michigan Wolverines. He was a great athlete in high school football, basketball, track and field, and baseball. He attended Anacostia High School in Washington, D.C. Many people thought he was the best high school football player in D.C. when he was a senior.
He led Anacostia to the District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association (DCIAA) football championship as 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. Besides sports, he was co-class president, salutatorian, and a member of the National Honor Society.
Many colleges wanted Cato June because he was a great athlete, a good student, and a leader. He got many scholarship offers. He chose the University of Michigan. He joined the defending national champions' recruiting class. This class was thought to be the best in the country. He became a starter near the end of his first year. He missed the next season due to an injury. He returned as a starter in his fourth year. He kept starting as a safety until an injury slowed him down in his final senior season. 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 played on special teams for a year. Then 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 win their first 13 games. They went to the 2005–06 NFL playoffs. He was a Pro Bowl player that year. The next year, he was seventh in the NFL in tackles. 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 Derrick Brooks, who had been to the Pro Bowl 11 times. After two seasons with the Buccaneers, he signed with the Houston Texans. He broke his arm during training camp in 2009 and was released. He signed with the Bears later that season but was released after two weeks. After retiring from the NFL, he became a football coach at his old high school.
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Early Life
Cato June grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma. As a high school freshman, he went to Muskogee High School. He dreamed of playing football for Oklahoma or Oklahoma State. His high school football team had many fans, with about 8,000 people at games.
In 1995, when June was a sophomore, he and his mother, Marjani Dele, moved to Washington, D.C. His mother enrolled him in a summer program. There, he met Troy Stewart, whose father, Willie Stewart, was the head coach at Anacostia High School. Troy and his father asked 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 ran it 92 yards for a touchdown. This gave his team an 8–7 lead. 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 on a field known as the "dust bowl." In 1996, Mayor of Washington, D.C., Marion Barry, helped the team get new topsoil and sod. This improved 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 on the basketball team that won the Washington D.C. city high school basketball championship.
As a senior, he was a preseason All-American. He was 6-foot-1-inch (1.85 m) and 190-pound (86 kg) as a defensive back. During the season, the football team faced challenges. June sometimes switched from defensive back to linebacker. By mid-season, he was being talked about as one of the best players in the country. 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. He also had not fumbled the football. 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 Washington Post All-Met team. He was named 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. He was a Second-team All-USA player. During the 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 chosen as a Gatorade Player of the Year for D.C. June played for coach Willie Stewart. Coach Stewart led Anacostia to seven straight DCIAA championship games. June played in three of them, winning in 1995.
As a senior, he was a member of the National Honor Society. He was also co-class president. He was a candidate to be 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 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. Top football programs like Syracuse and Miami recruited him. 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 class included many highly rated players. Before going to Michigan, he played in all-star games. As a high schooler, he wanted to make a mark in the NFL. He used to write "Big Time 1" on things. June graduated as salutatorian.
College Career
June played college football at the University of Michigan. He changed from cornerback to safety. He wore jersey #2, which was worn by 1997 Heisman Trophy winner, Charles Woodson. At Michigan, June's head coach, Lloyd Carr, used to coach defensive backs. June redshirted his freshman year in 1998.
In 1999, as a redshirt freshman, he intercepted a pass in his second game. He returned it 29 yards. That season, he played in all twelve games. He started the last four games at free safety. He recovered a fumble against Illinois. In the next game, he blocked a punt and recovered the ball, leading to a touchdown. He got his first start against Northwestern. He sacked the quarterback, stopping them from scoring a field goal. Against Penn State, he forced a fumble. This led to a Michigan scoring drive. In his best game of the season, he had a team-high 10 tackles against Ohio State. He also recovered a fumble that led to a touchdown. The season ended with a win against Alabama in the 2000 Orange Bowl.
Before his 2000 season, June suffered a season-ending knee injury. He needed surgery. He spent the season recovering. His absence caused another player to switch positions.
The 2001 Michigan Wolverines football team lost several key players. But they had eight defensive starters returning, and June was a good addition. In the second game, June was called for a penalty against Washington. This allowed the Huskies to score. A few weeks later, he had two sacks against Illinois. The next week, he had an interception in a shutout against Penn State. June had been starting at free safety. The Penn State game was his first start at strong safety due to an injury to another player. He led the team in tackles against Purdue. His interception against Iowa led to a comeback win. In the game against Michigan State, June left with another knee injury. June started almost every game and finished fourth on the team in tackles.
In his senior season for the 2002 Wolverines, June made a key play against Notre Dame. He stopped a play, giving Michigan the ball back. Against Illinois, he had a sack and made a good block on an interception return. Against Penn State, he made a key defensive play in overtime. In the win over Purdue, he recovered the final onside kick. He was injured in a game with Iowa and left on a stretcher. He was hospitalized but released 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. He had a season-high nine tackles. That season, June had 36 tackles, 17 assists, four tackles for loss, and two sacks. In his college career, he had 102 tackles, 36 assists, 10 tackles for loss, and six sacks.
June was named an honorable mention All-Big Ten player. He was 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 Wolverines 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. In 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. He became the starting weakside linebacker. June 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 for a touchdown in the first game against the Baltimore Ravens. On October 9, he had two interceptions, one for a touchdown, helping Indianapolis start 5–0. 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. He was diagnosed with a sports hernia. June's fast start made people talk about him breaking the all-time NFL linebacker interception record. June had fourteen tackles against the Houston Texans. June missed the December 11 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Colts went 13–0 and secured a playoff spot. June played, but the Colts lost their next game. June was named to the 2006 Pro Bowl. He missed the last two games of the season. In the playoffs, June had an interception and four tackles in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. June was named second-team All-Pro. He finished third on the team with 109 tackles and led the team with 5 interceptions.
June had two surgeries for his hernia in February 2006. The Colts offered him a contract on March 2. On April 24, June signed a one-year contract. In the 2006 Colts training camp, June's health was limited. In week 5, June had 9 tackles as the Colts went 5–0. He followed it with 15 tackles. June forced a fumble in the seventh game. He intercepted two Tom Brady passes as the team went 8–0 against the New England Patriots. June led the team with nine tackles as they went 9–0. June finished the season ranked seventh in the NFL and first on the team in tackles. In 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
On March 17, 2007, June signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers used a defensive scheme similar to the Colts'. The contract was for three years and $12 million.
In Tampa, June joined a defense that had been strong for a decade. When June arrived, it was clear he would move to strongside linebacker. He beat out Ryan Nece to be the 2007 Buccaneers starter. June wore #59 again. June was expected to stay in the game during passing plays because of his past experience. June was considered small for an NFL strongside linebacker.
June had an interception and touchdown return in a preseason game. In his first game as a Buccaneer, he did not play many passing downs. This caused some discussion. In the second game, June played in place of Brooks on some passing downs.
June made his first interception in his second game as a Buccaneer. It led to a touchdown in a 31–14 win against the New Orleans Saints. In his third game, June made a key tackle for a loss. After four weeks, the Bucs were 3–1. June was the team's third-leading tackler. The Colts gained many yards against June and the Buccaneers in a 33–14 loss. After the sixth week, 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 went 9–5 and won their division. June and other star players rested for parts of the final two games. June was injured in the final game and missed the Bucs' 2007–08 NFL playoffs game. June finished his first season with the Bucs with 69 tackles and one interception. The defense finished second in the league.
June had foot surgery in February 2008. In the first game of the season, Brooks got injured. This led to talk that June would start. Brooks, however, made his 194th straight start the next week. June made his first interception of the season against the New Orleans Saints. The Buccaneers lost their final four games and missed the playoffs. The team released five veteran players, including June, on February 25, 2009.
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans signed June on April 4, 2009. He signed a one-year contract. 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.
Chicago Bears
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. He was released on December 14 when Briggs returned.
Omaha Nighthawks
June signed with the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League on September 8, 2010. In June 2011, the Nighthawks released June.
NFL Stats
| 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
High School Coaching
June was the defensive coordinator for Anacostia in 2011. He became the head coach in 2012. In July 2014, he joined the Detroit Lions as an intern. June coached Anacostia to a 4–8 record in 2014. In three seasons at Anacostia, June had a 12–23 record. He then became head coach at Charles Herbert Flowers High School in Prince George's County for the 2015 season.
College Coaching
In April 2016, June became the running backs coach and assistant recruiting coordinator at Howard University for Howard Bison football. In 2020, June was hired as the outside linebacker coach for the Massachusetts Minutemen. In 2021, he coached outside linebackers for Bowling Green.
NFL Coaching
In 2022, he became the assistant linebackers coach for the Indianapolis Colts.
Personal Life
The name Cato is from Nigerian origin and has been in his family for many generations. His great-great-grandfather, Cato, was a runaway slave. The name means "wise and cautious."
June's mother, Marjani, is a minister. She helped in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. She does not like June's 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.
His grandfather, Will June, became the oldest player to bowl two perfect games in a row in 2010.
In college, June and his roommate, Hobson, played Madden NFL 2003 on PlayStation 2. They played in an apartment called "The Stadium." As a professional, June became a big fan of fantasy football. He played in a league only for NFL players. He won the 2008 NFL Players league. June also enjoys boxing workouts.
In 2005, June and Gary Brackett visited elementary schools for a food drive. For Veterans Day 2008, June and other players played video games with U.S. military members. During Super Bowl XLIII week, June hosted a charity event. It was for the June Family Foundation, which helps young people.
