Terence Newman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Terence Newman

Newman with the Minnesota Vikings in 2015
No. 41, 23
Position:	Cornerback
Personal information
Born:	(1978-09-04) September 4, 1978 (age 46) Salina, Kansas, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:	197 lb (89 kg)
Career information
High school:	Salina (KS) Central
College:	Kansas State (1998–2002)
NFL Draft:	2003 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5
Career history
As player:
Dallas Cowboys (2003–2011) Cincinnati Bengals (2012–2014) Minnesota Vikings (2015–2017)
As coach:
Minnesota Vikings (2018) Nickel / Defensive backs coach
Career highlights and awards
2× Pro Bowl (2007, 2009) PFWA All-Rookie Team (2003) Jim Thorpe Award (2002) Unanimous All-American (2002) Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (2002) First-team All-Big 12 (2002) Second-team All-Big 12 (2001) Kansas State Hall of Fame (2018)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 876 Forced fumbles: 8 Fumble recoveries: 7 Pass deflections: 184 Interceptions: 42 Defensive touchdowns: 4
Player stats at PFR

Terence Newman (born September 4, 1978) is a former American football player. He played as a cornerback for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, and Minnesota Vikings. Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats. He was recognized as a unanimous All-American in college. The Cowboys chose him as the fifth overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft.

Early Life and High School Sports

Terence Newman grew up in Salina, Kansas. He went to Salina High School Central. In high school, he was a talented athlete in many sports. He played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track & field.

In his senior year of football, he played both offense and defense. As a wide receiver, he caught 10 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns. On defense, he made 45 tackles and had five interceptions. He also returned 13 punts, scoring two touchdowns. He was named one of the top recruits in Kansas.

Terence was also a great track and field runner. He ran the 100-meter dash in 10.36 seconds and the 200-meter dash in 21.6 seconds.

College Career at Kansas State

Terence Newman went to Kansas State University. He played as a defensive back for the Kansas State Wildcats football team from 1998 to 2002. For his first two years, he was a backup player. By his junior year, he became a starter and was named to the second-team Big 12.

During his time in college, he also returned kicks and punts on special teams. He was the second player in his team's history to score a touchdown from both a kickoff and a punt return in the same season. He also briefly played as a wide receiver. Terence was also part of the Wildcats' track & field team.

Freshman Year (1999)

In 1999, Terence played in all 11 games as a backup defensive back. He became a strong special teams player. He returned a kickoff for 73 yards against Baylor. He also got his first college interception in a big win against Missouri.

Sophomore Year (2000)

In 2000, Terence played in all 14 games. He had a career-high five tackles in his first start against Louisiana Tech. He also scored a touchdown by returning a blocked punt against Oklahoma.

In track and field, he was very fast. He finished third in the 60-meter dash at the Big 12 Indoor Championships. He also ran the 200-meter dash and was part of the 4x100 meter relay team.

Junior Year (2001)

In 2001, Terence became a key player. He was named a second-team All-Big 12 player. He was also one of 10 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, which goes to the best defensive back in the country.

He started all 11 games at cornerback. He was one of the best in the Big 12 at defending passes. He had 51 tackles, 14 passes broken up, and three interceptions. In one game against Oklahoma, he had two interceptions and seven passes defended. He also returned kicks, averaging 23.4 yards per return.

In track and field, he continued to excel. He set school records in the 60-meter dash and the 200-meter dash. He also won the Big 12 Outdoor Championship in the 100-meter dash.

Senior Year (2002)

In his senior year in 2002, Terence had 54 tackles, five interceptions, and 14 pass deflections. He was named a first-team All-Big 12 player and the Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He was also recognized as a unanimous All-American.

He won the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back in the nation. He was also a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the nation's best defensive player.

In track and field, he won the Big 12 Outdoor Championship in the 100 meters again. He also set a new school record in the 100-meter dash. He earned an All-America honor by finishing fifth in the 60 meters at the NCAA Indoor Championship.

Professional Football Career

Terence Newman was a highly-rated player coming out of college.

Dallas Cowboys

Starting Strong (2003)

The Dallas Cowboys picked Terence Newman in the first round of the 2003 NFL draft. He was the fifth player chosen overall. This made him Kansas State's highest draft pick ever.

He quickly became a starting cornerback for the Cowboys. In his first game, he had five tackles. In Week 2, he got his first NFL interception. Later that season, he had an amazing game against the Washington Redskins, intercepting three passes. This tied a team record! He finished his first year with 76 tackles, 14 pass deflections, and four interceptions. The Cowboys made the playoffs that year.

Consistent Play (2004-2006)

Terence continued to be a top player for the Cowboys. In 2004, he had 68 tackles and four interceptions. In 2005, he had 59 tackles and three interceptions. He was so good that he didn't allow a single touchdown pass against him all season.

In 2006, he had 63 tackles and one interception. He also scored his first career touchdown by returning a punt 56 yards!

Newman with the Cowboys in 2009.

Pro Bowl Seasons (2007-2009)

In 2007, Terence was named to his first Pro Bowl. He had 50 tackles and four interceptions. He made a huge play against the Buffalo Bills, returning an interception 70 yards to set up a game-winning touchdown.

In 2008, he signed a big contract with the Cowboys. He dealt with some injuries but still played well, getting four interceptions in ten games.

In 2009, he was named to his second Pro Bowl. He had 57 tackles and three interceptions. He also scored another touchdown by returning an interception 27 yards. The Cowboys won their division and made it to the playoffs.

Final Years with Cowboys (2010-2011)

In 2010, Terence had a career-high five interceptions and 79 tackles. He played through a rib injury for most of the season. In 2011, he had three interceptions and another touchdown return. After the 2011 season, the Cowboys released him to save money.

Cincinnati Bengals

Joining the Bengals (2012)

In 2012, Terence signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. This reunited him with his former defensive coach from the Cowboys, Mike Zimmer. He quickly became an important player for the Bengals. He had 75 tackles and two interceptions. He led the team in passes defended.

Continued Success (2013-2014)

He re-signed with the Bengals for two more years. In 2013, he started as a main cornerback. He had 52 tackles and two interceptions, even though he missed some games due to a knee injury.

Newman at training camp with the Bengals in 2014

In 2014, he had 72 tackles and one interception. He continued to be a strong defensive player. The Bengals made the playoffs, but lost to the Indianapolis Colts. This was his last game with the Bengals.

Minnesota Vikings

Reuniting with Coach Zimmer (2015)

In 2015, Terence joined the Minnesota Vikings. This was his third team where he played for coach Mike Zimmer! He immediately became a starting cornerback.

In Week 10, he had an amazing game against the Oakland Raiders. He made two interceptions, including one in the endzone that sealed the Vikings' victory. For this performance, he was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week. He was also one of only two players in NFL history to have two interceptions in a game after turning 37 years old. He finished the season with 62 tackles and three interceptions.

Veteran Presence (2016-2017)

In 2016, Terence was one of the oldest active defensive players in the NFL. He continued to start for the Vikings and provided valuable experience. He had 38 tackles and one interception.

In 2017, he played in all 16 games. He had 35 tackles and one interception. The Vikings had a great season, winning their division with a 13–3 record. They made it to the NFC Championship Game before losing to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Retirement and Coaching (2018)

On September 1, 2018, Terence Newman announced he was retiring from playing football. Right away, he joined the Vikings' coaching staff. He worked as a coach for defensive backs. In 2020, he briefly considered coming back to play, but he did not sign a new contract.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular season

NFL Records

• Terence Newman is one of only two cornerbacks to have 2 interceptions in a single game at the age of 37. The other is Deion Sanders in 2004.

Coaching Career

After retiring from playing football on September 1, 2018, Terence Newman immediately joined the Minnesota Vikings' coaching staff. He worked as a coach for the nickelbacks and defensive backs. In 2020, he briefly worked out for the Vikings, thinking about playing again, but he was not signed to a contract.