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 famous American former football player. He played as a nose tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 years. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes. The New England Patriots picked him in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft. He also played for the Houston Texans for two seasons. Wilfork retired after the 2016 season.

Vince Wilfork is one of only two Patriots players to win the Super Bowl in both the 2000s and 2010s. He won with the Patriots in 2004 and 2014. Many people think he is one of the best defensive tackles in NFL history. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro team several times.

Early Life and Sports

Wilfork was born in Boynton Beach, Florida. He went to Santaluces Community High School in Lantana. There, he was a great athlete in football, wrestling, and track and field. In football, he earned honors as a second-team All-American.

Wilfork was also a top thrower in track and field. In 2000, he won the Florida Class 4A state championship in both shot put and discus. He still holds the Florida state high school record for the shot put. His best shot put throw was 68 feet (20.73 meters). For discus, his best throw was 180 feet (54.86 meters).

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. In his first year, Wilfork played in every game as a defensive tackle. He had 41 tackles and forced three fumbles.

In his second year (2002), he recorded 43 tackles and seven sacks. Before the 2003 season, experts rated Wilfork as one of the best defensive tackles. He started all 13 games that year. He finished with 64 tackles and led his team in hurrying the quarterback. He was named to the All-Big East Conference first-team. This was his last college season, as he decided to enter the NFL draft early.

In 2019, Wilfork was honored by being added to the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame.

Professional Football Journey

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

Playing for the Patriots

Wilfork (#75) playing against the Buffalo Bills in September 2006

In his first year (2004) with the Patriots, Wilfork had two sacks and 42 tackles. He played a lot and even started in Super Bowl XXXIX. The Patriots won that Super Bowl, making him a champion in his rookie season.

In 2005, Wilfork had a career-high 54 tackles. He started all 16 games that year. In 2006, he finished with 50 tackles in 13 games.

Pro Bowl and All-Pro Honors

In the 2007 season, Wilfork had 48 tackles and two sacks. He was chosen for the 2008 Pro Bowl. He was also named a second-team All-Pro player.

Wilfork became a defensive captain for the first time in 2008. He finished the 2008 season with a career-high 66 tackles and two sacks.

Contract and Continued Success

In 2009, Wilfork was named to the Patriots' 50th anniversary team. He played in 13 games before an ankle injury. He still made it to the 2010 Pro Bowl.

After the 2009 season, the Patriots 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 had his first career interception. He caught another one two weeks later. He even scored a touchdown in Week 14. He had a career-high 3.5 sacks that season. Wilfork was chosen for the 2012 Pro Bowl roster. He played a great game in the AFC Championship, helping the Patriots reach Super Bowl XLVI. Although the Patriots lost, Wilfork played well.

Wilfork was named a co-captain by his teammates for the fifth year in a row in 2012. He had a memorable play against the New York Jets. He pushed a Jets player, which led to a fumble that the Patriots returned for a touchdown. This play became very famous. Wilfork finished 2012 with 48 tackles and 3 sacks. He was named to the Associated Press All-Pro first team and the 2013 Pro Bowl.

In 2013, Wilfork tore his Achilles tendon in Week 4. This injury meant he missed the rest of the season. In March 2014, he signed a new three-year contract 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. After the 2014 season, the Patriots decided not to keep Wilfork's contract option, making him a free agent.

Time with the Houston Texans

Wilfork with the Houston Texans in October 2016

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

Retirement from Football

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

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

In 2022, fans voted Wilfork into the Patriots Hall of Fame. He was inducted on September 24, 2022.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season Stats

Postseason Stats

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

See also

In Spanish: Vince Wilfork para niños