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. George was first signed by the Detroit Lions in 2004. He played college football at the University of Arkansas. Wilson was a key player for the Buffalo Bills for many years. He also played 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 named an all-state player twice. As a senior, he was also an honorable mention All-America player.

Wilson was a talented athlete in many sports. He was named all-state in basketball. He also earned a letter in baseball and track. During his high school football career, Wilson caught 81 passes. These catches gained 1,723 yards and led to 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. He led his team in receptions for two of those years. Wilson caught at least one pass in 38 of his last 40 games.

During his college career, he played in 44 games. He caught 144 passes for 2,151 yards. He also scored 16 touchdowns. Wilson left Arkansas with the second-most catches in school history. He was also third in receiving touchdowns and yards. He was one of only 16 players at Arkansas 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 against Kentucky. Over his four years, Wilson helped the team go to four bowl games. They won the 2003 Independence Bowl in his senior year. His team finished 9-4 that season. They also won a share of the 2002 SEC West Division Championship.

Playing in the NFL

George Wilson started his professional football journey in 2004.

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions signed Wilson on April 30, 2004. He joined them as an undrafted free agent. This means he was not chosen in the NFL draft.

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 positions. He moved to strong safety. He had never played this position in an organized game before. On October 8, 2007, he made his first NFL start. It was on Monday Night Football. He intercepted a pass from Tony Romo. He then ran it back for a touchdown. His 2007–2008 season ended early due to a rib injury. This happened on December 10, 2007, 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 a first for 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 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 voted special teams captain before the season. He has been a team captain ever since.

Wilson is one of only two Buffalo Bills defensive backs to have multiple sacks in two seasons in a row. The other was Lawyer Milloy (2003–04). On February 11, 2013, the Bills released Wilson.

Tennessee Titans

On February 22, 2013, Wilson signed with the Tennessee Titans. He later left 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 20th anniversary for their Hall of Fame.

George Wilson's NFL Stats

Helping the Community

George Wilson is very active in helping others. He works to improve education for young people. In 2008, he received the President's Volunteer Service Award. This is a top honor from the White House.

The next year, he started his own group. It is called 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.

Wilson also works with United Way. He became a spokesperson for United Way of Buffalo and Erie County in 2010. He also represents the Buffalo Bills for United Way Worldwide Team NFL. Their goal is to get one million volunteers to help kids read and learn. They also want to cut the high school dropout rate in half by 2018.

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

George's Jungle Program

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

Wilson also mentored 15 young men from a community center in Buffalo. This was through the "That's Life" Program in 2009. He still has a strong connection with these young men. Wilson also took part in "Night out with the Bills." This event is put on by the Buffalo Pro Ministry Athletes in Action. Players shared stories about their faith. 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 were held at Ralph Wilson Stadium in 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. Its goal is to "Save Adolescents From the Everyday Trials of Youth." It teaches life skills to help kids succeed in different situations. The foundation runs programs like the Leadership Retreat and Sports Fest Football Camp. It also has the "That's Life" after-school program. Since 2009, the foundation has helped over 5,000 students. These students are in the Buffalo, NY, and Paducah, KY, school systems.

Acting Roles

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