George Wilson (safety) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
George Wilson

Wilson at Tennessee Titans 2014 training camp
No. 15, 37, 21
Position:	Safety
Personal information
Born:	(1981-03-14) March 14, 1981 (age 44) Paducah, Kentucky, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:	Paducah Tilghman (Paducah, Kentucky)
College:	Arkansas
Undrafted:	2004
Career history
Detroit Lions (2004)* Buffalo Bills (2004–2012) Tennessee Titans (2013–2014)
Career highlights and awards
Second-team All-SEC (2003)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 526 Sacks: 4.5 Forced fumbles: 4 Fumble recoveries: 5 Interceptions: 14 Defensive touchdowns: 2
Player stats at PFR

George Eugene Wilson Jr. (born March 14, 1981) is a former American football player. He played as a safety, which is a defensive position. George started his professional career in 2004 with the Detroit Lions. He was not chosen in the main draft, so he signed as an undrafted free agent. He also played college football at the University of Arkansas. George Wilson spent many years playing for the Buffalo Bills and later for the Tennessee Titans.

Early Life and High School Sports

George Wilson grew up in Paducah, Kentucky. He played high school football at Paducah Tilghman High School. He was so good that he was named "all-state" twice! As a senior, he was even an "All-America" honorable mention.

George was also a talented athlete in other sports. He was named all-state in basketball. He also earned varsity letters in baseball and track. During his high school football career, Wilson caught 81 passes for 1,723 yards. He scored 24 touchdowns. He also played in the Kentucky-Tennessee All-Star Game.

College Football Career

Wilson played college football at the University of Arkansas. He was a starter for three years. For two of those years, he led his team in catches. He caught at least one pass in 38 of his last 40 games.

During his college career, George played in 44 games. He caught 144 passes for 2,151 yards. He also scored 16 touchdowns. When he left Arkansas, he had the second-most catches in the school's history. He also had the third-highest totals for receiving touchdowns and receiving yards. He was one of only 16 players in school history to gain over 1,000 receiving yards.

In 2002, he led the team with 49 catches for 626 yards. He scored a career-high seven touchdowns that year. In 2003, Wilson had four games where he gained over 100 receiving yards. This included a career-high 172 yards in a game against Kentucky. Over his four years, he helped his team go to four bowl games in a row. They won the 2003 Independence Bowl in his senior year. His team finished that season with 9 wins and 4 losses. They also won a share of the 2002 SEC West Division Championship.

Professional Football Journey

Starting with the Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions signed George Wilson on April 30, 2004. He joined the team as an undrafted free agent.

Playing for the Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills signed Wilson to their practice squad on October 18, 2004. He played his first regular season game on September 11, 2005. This game was against the Houston Texans. Before the 2007 season, he had only played in three NFL games. He had not yet caught a pass.

For the 2007 season, Wilson changed his position to strong safety. He had never played this position in an organized game before. On October 8, 2007, during a Monday Night Football game, he made his first NFL start. He intercepted a pass from Tony Romo and ran it back for a touchdown! His 2007–2008 season ended early due to a rib injury. This happened on December 10, 2007, in a game against the Miami Dolphins. In that game, he also returned a fumble for a touchdown.

In the 2008 season, Wilson played in all 16 games. This was the first time in his career. He helped sack New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel. This was his first time being part of a sack. He also recovered the fumble that happened on that play. Wilson had a season-high four tackles in a game against Kansas City. He finished third on the team in special teams tackles. He was chosen as the special teams captain before the season. He continued to be voted team captain for many seasons after that.

George Wilson is one of only two Buffalo Bills defensive backs to have multiple sacks in back-to-back seasons. On February 11, 2013, the Bills released Wilson.

Time with the Tennessee Titans

On February 22, 2013, the Tennessee Titans signed George Wilson. He played for them for two seasons. He was later released by the Titans.

Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame

In 2022, George Wilson was inducted into the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame. This was a special event, marking the 20th anniversary of their Hall of Fame inductions.

Career Statistics

Helping the Community: Philanthropy

George Wilson has done a lot to help others. He works to improve education for young people. In 2008, he received the President's Volunteer Service Award. This is a very high honor from the White House.

The next year, he started his own group, the George Wilson S.A.F.E.T.Y. Foundation. This foundation helps educate young people from all backgrounds. Wilson has won the Buffalo Bills Walter Payton Man of the Year Award twice. He received it in 2009 and again in 2011. This award recognizes players for their community service.

Wilson has also worked closely with United Way. In 2010, he became a spokesperson for United Way of Buffalo and Erie County. He also represented the Buffalo Bills for United Way Worldwide Team NFL. Their goal was to get one million volunteers to help kids read and learn. They also wanted to cut the high school dropout rate in half by 2018.

In his hometown of Paducah, Kentucky, Wilson hosts an annual Summer SportsFest. This event helps his old high school. He also led a Life Skills Camping Retreat in Nashville. This retreat taught leadership, self-esteem, and responsibility to young people. Wilson has also worked with Toys for Tots. He helped provide over 5,000 donations and gifts for families in his hometown.

The "George's Jungle" program is another way Wilson helps. He personally donates 20 season tickets and meal vouchers. These go to students from Buffalo Public High Schools. In 2011, George became a spokesperson for the Buffalo Bills Kids Escaping Drugs Campaign. He and his teammates helped raise over $8,000 for this group.

In 2009, Wilson also mentored 15 young men from a community center in Buffalo. This was through the "That's Life" Program. He still has a strong connection with these young men. Wilson also took part in "Night out with the Bills." This event was put on by the Buffalo Pro Ministry Athletes in Action. Players shared stories about their beliefs. They also signed autographs and took pictures with over 700 community members. Wilson was also the spokesperson for the American Red Cross Blood Drives. These drives took place at Ralph Wilson Stadium in September and November 2010. With George's help, over 500 units of blood were collected. This helped save over 1,500 lives.

George Wilson S.A.F.E.T.Y. Foundation

The George Wilson S.A.F.E.T.Y. Foundation helps young people learn important life skills. Their goal is to "Save Adolescents From the Everyday Trials of Youth." They teach kids how to succeed in different situations. Programs like the Leadership Retreat, Sports Fest Football Camp, and the That's Life after-school program have helped over 5,000 students. These students are in the Buffalo, NY, and Paducah, KY, school systems. The foundation started in 2009.

Acting Roles

In early 2010, George Wilson appeared in a music video. He was in Mary J. Blige's video for her song "We Got Hood Love". He also appeared in Marsha Ambrosius's music video for the song "Late Nights & Early Mornings".