E. J. Underwood

E. J. Underwood
No. 41, 4
Position:Defensive back
Personal information
Born: (1983-08-04) August 4, 1983 (age 41)
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school:Hamilton (OH)
College:Pikeville
Undrafted:2006
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career Arena League statistics
Total tackles:9
Stats at ArenaFan.com

E. J. Underwood (born August 4, 1983) is a former American football defensive back.

Early life

As a prep, Underwood attended Hamilton High School. His football abilities were so good that he received a 4-star prospect rating according to Rivals.com. He received NCAA Division I scholarship offers from Georgia Tech, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State, and Pittsburgh.[1]

College career

Ohio State

He played college football at Ohio State. He was a member of the 2002 NCAA National Championship team that defeated Miami (FL) in the national title game.

Pikeville

For his senior season, Underwood transferred to the University of Pikeville in Pikeville, Kentucky.[2] Pikeville is an NAIA Institution. At the time, they were ranked 7th in the nation. The Bears finished 7-3 that season.

Professional career

New York Giants

He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2006 and spent the entire season on the team's injured reserve list due to an injured shoulder.

In 2007, he was once again injured in the preseason, this time with a broken jaw.[3] He was later released.[4]

New York Jets

Two days after his Giants release, Underwood was a member of the New York Jets' practice squad. He was released a little over a month later.[4]

Buffalo Bills

In December, he was signed by the Buffalo Bills and added to their practice squad for the remainder of the season.

The next year the Bills re-signed Underwood, but later released him.[4]

Cleveland Gladiators

In 2008, he played for the Cleveland Gladiators of Arena Football League.

And again in 2010, he was a member of the team, but was released after 2 months, and did not see any playing time.[5]

Edmonton Eskimos

In 2009, Underwood signed to play with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League.

Cincinnati Commandos

After his release from the Gladiators, Underwood signed with the Cincinnati Commandos of the Continental Indoor Football League. The Commandos went 9–1 in the regular season, and Underwood went on to win 1st Team All-CIFL honors as a defensive back.[6] The Commandos went on to win the CIFL Championship Game, with a 54–40 win over the Wisconsin Wolfpack.[7]

Underwood re-signed with the Commandos for the 2012 season, as the team transferred into the United Indoor Football League.

Texas Revolution

For the 2013 season, Underwood signed with the Texas Revolution.

Marion Blue Racers

Underwood agreed to play for the Marion Blue Racers in 2014.[8]

References

  1. ^ Rivals.com Bio - E.J. Underwood
  2. ^ "Underwood lands at Pikeville from OSU". Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
  3. ^ CB Underwood gone for Season with Broken Jaw
  4. ^ a b c E.J. Underwood career transactions
  5. ^ Cleveland Gladiators 2010 Transactions
  6. ^ 2010 CIFL Award Winners Archived March 28, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Commandos Bring Championship to Cincinnati
  8. ^ "NFL Athletes Underwood, Horn Add to Blue Racer Depth". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2013.