Willie Young (defensive end) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Willie Young

Young with the Chicago Bears in 2015
No. 79, 97
Position:	Defensive end / Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(1985-09-19) September 19, 1985 (age 39) Riviera Beach, Florida, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	258 lb (117 kg)
Career information
High school:	Palm Beach Gardens (FL)
College:	North Carolina State
NFL Draft:	2010 / Round: 7 / Pick: 213
Career history
Detroit Lions (2010–2013) Chicago Bears (2014–2017)
Career highlights and awards
Second-team All-ACC (2009)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 186 Sacks: 32.0 Forced fumbles: 3 Fumble recoveries: 2 Interceptions: 1
Player stats at PFR

Willie James Young Jr. was born on September 19, 1985. He is an American former professional football player. He played as a defensive end and linebacker. The Detroit Lions picked him in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL draft. He also played college football at NC State.

Early Life and High School

Willie Young was born in Riviera Beach, Florida. He went to Palm Beach Gardens Community High School. There, he played both basketball and football. He was a defensive lineman in football. He also ran track.

In 2003, as a junior, he made 60 tackles. This included 15 tackles that stopped plays behind the line of scrimmage. He also got nine sacks. In his senior year, he had 65 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks.

Willie's younger brother, Avery Young, also plays football. Avery is an offensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the National Football League (NFL).

College Football Career

Willie Young went to North Carolina State University. He studied science and technology there. He did not play in the 2005 season. This is called a "redshirt" year in college sports. It means he could practice with the team but not play in games. This allowed him to gain experience and still have four years of playing eligibility.

In 2006, he played in all 12 games. He started five of those games. He made 44 tackles and had one interception. He even ran that interception back 34 yards for a touchdown.

In 2007, he played in all 12 games again, starting eight. He was very good at stopping plays. He had 16 tackles that lost yards for the other team. He also broke up six passes. In 2008, he started 12 games. He made 12.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

Playing in the NFL

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions picked Willie Young in the 2010 NFL draft. He was the 213th player chosen overall.

In his first year, 2010, he did not play much. He was active for only two games. In 2011, he played in 14 games.

In 2013, Willie Young got a lot of attention during a preseason game. He played against the New England Patriots and their quarterback, Tom Brady. After a play where he helped stop Brady, Young got a penalty. He was also benched for a short time after this.

Chicago Bears

On March 13, 2014, Willie Young joined the Chicago Bears. He signed a three-year contract. He was meant to be a backup player.

In his first game with the Bears, he got his first sack of the season. This was against the Buffalo Bills. In Week 2, he sacked Colin Kaepernick twice. He kept playing well in Week 3, sacking Geno Smith once. In Week 4, he blocked a kick. He continued to get sacks throughout the 2014 season. He sacked Cam Newton and had two sacks against the Atlanta Falcons. Willie Young finished the 2014 season with 10 sacks. This was the most sacks he had in one season in his career. It was also the most on the Bears team that year.

In 2015, the Bears changed their defense. Willie Young became an outside linebacker. He had a great streak, getting a sack in five games in a row. Only two other players in Bears history had done this before him.

On July 30, 2016, Young signed a new contract to stay with the Bears for two more years. However, on October 10, 2017, he got a serious arm injury. He had to stop playing for the rest of the season.

On February 28, 2018, the Bears released Willie Young from the team.

Images for kids

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  Young with the Chicago Bears in 2015