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Nickell Robey-Coleman facts for kids

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Nickell Robey-Coleman
refer to caption
Robey-Coleman in 2019
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1992-01-17) January 17, 1992 (age 33)
Frostproof, Florida, U.S.
Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight: 180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
High school: Frostproof
College: USC (2010–2012)
Undrafted: 2013
Career history
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All-Pac-12 (2011)
  • Second-team All-Pac-12 (2012)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 338
Sacks: 5.0
Forced fumbles: 6
Fumble recoveries: 6
Pass deflections: 49
Interceptions: 6
Defensive touchdowns: 3
Player stats at PFR

Nickell Earl Robey-Coleman (born January 17, 1992) is an American football cornerback. He is currently a free agent, meaning he is not signed to a team. He started his professional career in 2013 with the Buffalo Bills. Before that, he played college football at USC. Robey-Coleman has also played for the Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, and Las Vegas Raiders.

Early Life and High School Sports

Nickell Robey-Coleman grew up in Frostproof, Florida. He went to Frostproof Middle-Senior High School. There, he was a star player on the Bulldogs football team.

He played many different positions, including quarterback, wide receiver, defensive back, and even helped with special teams. In his senior year (2009), he gained a lot of yards running and catching the ball. He also made many tackles and helped stop opponents on defense.

Experts thought he was a top player, ranking him as one of the best cornerbacks coming out of high school. He chose to play college football at USC. Besides football, he also played baseball and ran track in high school.

College Football Career at USC

Nickell Robey USC 2010
Robey-Coleman playing for USC in 2010

After high school, Nickell went to the University of Southern California (USC) to play college football for the Trojans.

As a freshman in 2010, he became a starting cornerback. This was a big change because he had mostly played wide receiver in high school. He did so well that he earned honors like being named an "All-American honorable mention."

In 2011, his second year, Nickell continued to shine. He started every game and made 63 tackles. He also had two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown! He was chosen for the first-team All-Pac-12, which means he was one of the best players in his college conference.

His final season with the Trojans in 2012 was also very strong. He was considered for the Jim Thorpe Award, which goes to the best defensive back in college football. He was again named to the All-Pac-12 team. After this season, Nickell decided to enter the NFL draft early, instead of playing his senior year.

Professional NFL Career

Buffalo Bills (2013–2016)

After college, Nickell Robey-Coleman was signed by the Buffalo Bills in 2013. He quickly made an impact. In his first year, he got his first interception and returned it for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins. He ended the season with 39 tackles and three sacks.

He continued to play well for the Bills over the next few years. In 2015, he signed a new contract with the team. In 2016, he scored another touchdown by returning a fumble against the New York Jets. He also had a 41-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams. The Bills released him in March 2017.

Los Angeles Rams (2017–2019)

DPI No Call
The moment Nickell Robey Coleman committed an uncalled defensive pass interference penalty on Tommylee Lewis

In April 2017, Nickell joined the Los Angeles Rams. He became an important player for them, often playing as the team's main slot corner. He had a career-high 49 tackles and two interceptions in his first year with the Rams.

In 2018, he signed a three-year contract extension. During the 2018 NFC Championship Game, he was involved in a play that caused a lot of discussion. He collided with a New Orleans Saints player, Tommylee Lewis, but no penalty was called. The Rams went on to win the game and reach Super Bowl LIII. Nickell later said he thought a penalty should have been called. He was fined by the NFL for the hit. In the Super Bowl, the Rams lost to the New England Patriots.

In 2019, his last season with the Rams, he had 36 tackles and helped force two fumbles. The Rams decided not to keep him on the team in March 2020.

Philadelphia Eagles (2020)

On March 31, 2020, Nickell Robey-Coleman signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. He played in 15 games for the Eagles, starting seven of them. He finished the season with 44 tackles.

Detroit Lions (2021)

In August 2021, Nickell signed with the Detroit Lions. He played in one game for them during the 2021 season.

Las Vegas Raiders (2022)

In September 2022, Nickell Robey-Coleman joined the practice squad of the Las Vegas Raiders. He played in two games for the Raiders in the 2022 season.

Personal Life

Nickell Robey-Coleman has faced some tough times in his life. In 2010, his mother, Maxine, passed away. He had promised her he would finish college.

He worked hard to keep that promise. Even while playing in the NFL, he continued taking classes at Warner University and later at USC. In 2019, he finally earned his degree in policy, planning, and development, with a focus on real estate. This was a special moment for him, as it fulfilled the promise he made to his mother. Before the 2016 NFL season, he added his mother's name to his own, becoming Nickell Robey-Coleman.

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