Vince Wilfork facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Vince Wilfork

Wilfork with the New England Patriots in 2009
No. 75
Position:	Nose tackle
Personal information
Born:	(1981-11-04) November 4, 1981 (age 43) Boynton Beach, Florida, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	325 lb (147 kg)
Career information
High school:	Santaluces (Lantana, Florida)
College:	Miami (FL) (2001–2003)
NFL Draft:	2004 / Round: 1 / Pick: 21
Career history
New England Patriots (2004) Houston Texans (2015)
Career highlights and awards
2× Super Bowl champion (XXXIX, XLIX) First-team All-Pro (2012) 4× Second-team All-Pro (2007, 2009–2011) 5× Pro Bowl (2007, 2009–2012) New England Patriots All-2000s Team New England Patriots 50th Anniversary Team New England Patriots All-2010s Team New England Patriots All-Dynasty Team New England Patriots Hall of Fame BCS national champion (2001) First-team All-Big East (2003)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 560 Sacks: 16.0 Forced fumbles: 5 Fumble recoveries: 12 Pass deflections: 27 Interceptions: 3 Defensive touchdowns: 1
Player stats at PFR

Vincent Lamar Wilfork (born November 4, 1981) is a former professional football player. He played as a nose tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. Most of his career was with the New England Patriots.

Wilfork played college football for the Miami Hurricanes. The Patriots chose him in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft. He also played two seasons for the Houston Texans. He retired after the 2016 season.

Vince Wilfork is one of only two Patriots players to win the Super Bowl in both decades of the Patriots dynasty. He won in 2004 (Super Bowl XXXIX) and 2014 (Super Bowl XLIX). Many consider him one of the best defensive tackles in NFL history. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro team multiple times.

Early Life and High School Sports

Vince Wilfork was born in Boynton Beach, Florida. He grew up in Lantana and went to Santaluces Community High School. In high school, he was a talented athlete in three sports. He played football, wrestled, and competed in track and field.

In football, he earned honors as a second-team All-American. For track and field, he was one of the best throwers in the country. He won the Florida state championship in both shot put and discus throw in 2000. He still holds the Florida state high school record for the shot put.

College Football Career

Wilfork attended the University of Miami. He played for the Miami Hurricanes football team. He also competed in track and field for the Hurricanes. He held a school record in the indoor shot put for many years.

In his first year, Wilfork played in every game as a defensive tackle. He made 41 tackles and forced three fumbles. In his second year (2002), he had 43 tackles and seven sacks. Before his third season (2003), he was ranked as one of the top defensive tackles. He started all 13 games that year.

Wilfork finished 2003 with 64 tackles. He led his team in hurrying the quarterback. He was named to the All-Big East Conference first-team. After this season, he decided to enter the 2004 NFL Draft. He was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.

Professional Football Journey

Most experts saw Wilfork as the second-best defensive tackle in the 2004 NFL draft. The New England Patriots picked him in the first round, 21st overall. He was the highest-picked defensive tackle from Miami since 2001.

Starting with the Patriots (2004–2008)

Wilfork (No. 75) during a game against the Buffalo Bills, 2006

In his first season (2004) with the Patriots, Wilfork played a lot. He helped the team win Super Bowl XXXIX against the Philadelphia Eagles. He had two sacks and 42 tackles that year.

In 2005, he started all 16 games and made 54 tackles. In 2006, he had 50 tackles in 13 games. For the 2007 season, Wilfork had 48 tackles and two sacks. He was chosen for the 2008 Pro Bowl and was named a second-team All-Pro.

In 2008, Wilfork had a career-high 66 tackles and two sacks. His teammates also chose him as a defensive captain for the first time.

Later Years and Second Super Bowl (2009–2014)

Wilfork's contract was ending in 2009. He wanted a new long-term deal. In August 2009, he was named to the Patriots' 50th anniversary team. He played in 13 games before an ankle injury. He returned for the playoffs.

In March 2010, the Patriots re-signed Wilfork to a big five-year contract. In the 2010 season, he played both nose tackle and defensive end. He started all 16 games and had 57 tackles and two sacks. He was selected for the 2011 Pro Bowl.

In 2011, Wilfork played defensive tackle in a new defense. He got his first career interception against the San Diego Chargers. Two weeks later, he caught another interception. He even scored a touchdown in Week 14. He had a career-high 3.5 sacks that season. He was chosen for the 2012 Pro Bowl. The Patriots reached Super Bowl XLVI, but lost to the New York Giants.

In 2012, Wilfork was voted co-captain for the fifth year in a row. He had 48 tackles and 3 sacks. He was named to the All-Pro first team and the 2013 Pro Bowl.

In Week 4 of the 2013 NFL season, Wilfork suffered a serious injury. He tore his right Achilles' tendon and missed the rest of the season. In March 2014, he signed a new three-year deal with the Patriots.

In the 2014 NFL season, Wilfork had 47 tackles and one interception. He helped the Patriots reach Super Bowl XLIX. In the Super Bowl, the Patriots beat the Seattle Seahawks 28–24. This gave Wilfork his second Super Bowl championship. On March 5, 2015, the Patriots decided not to keep Wilfork, making him a free agent.

Time with the Houston Texans (2015–2016)

Wilfork with the Houston Texans in October 2016

On March 16, 2015, Wilfork signed a two-year contract with the Houston Texans. He started all 16 games in 2015 as a nose tackle. In his two seasons with Houston, he made 43 tackles. He helped the Texans win two AFC South titles in a row.

Retirement and Honors

Vince Wilfork announced his retirement on August 9, 2017. He signed a special one-day contract to officially retire as a New England Patriot.

In 2018, the Patriots honored Wilfork. He was named honorary captain for the AFC Championship game. He also helped present the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Patriots won Super Bowl LIII.

In 2022, Wilfork was voted into the Patriots Hall of Fame. He was one of the few players chosen in their first year of eligibility. His induction ceremony was on September 24, 2022.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular season

Postseason

Personal Life

Wilfork, left, and his wife with the United Service Organizations in 2023

Vince Wilfork lives in Houston, Texas, and Florida. He has a son and a daughter. He married Bianca Farinas in 2004. He remarried on October 8, 2020. Sadly, both of Wilfork's parents passed away in 2002. They never got to see him play in the NFL.

After the Patriots won the 2014 AFC Championship game, Wilfork helped someone in need. He saw an overturned car on his way home from the stadium. He helped an officer get the driver out of the vehicle. Wilfork later said he just saw someone who needed help and wanted to assist.

Images for kids

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  Wilfork with the New England Patriots in 2009

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  Wilfork (No. 75) during a game against the Buffalo Bills, 2006

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  Wilfork with the Houston Texans in October 2016

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  Wilfork, left, and his wife with the United Service Organizations in 2023

See also

In Spanish: Vince Wilfork para niños