Corey Wootton

Corey Wootton
refer to caption
Wootton with the Bears in 2011
No. 98, 99
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1987-06-22) June 22, 1987 (age 37)
Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:270 lb (122 kg)
Career information
High school:Don Bosco Prep
(Ramsey, New Jersey)
College:Northwestern
NFL draft:2010 / round: 4 / pick: 109
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:86
Sacks:12.0
Forced fumbles:3
Fumble recoveries:2
Defensive touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Corey Andrew Wootton (born June 22, 1987) is a former American football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Northwestern University. As a junior, he garnered first-team All-Big Ten Conference honors. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL draft. He has also played for the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions.

Early life

Born in Rutherford, New Jersey, Wootton played high school football at Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, New Jersey.[1]

College career

Wootton chose Northwestern over Connecticut, Louisville and N.C. State.[2] During his Freshman season, Wootton got a medical hardship year for 2005 and only played in three of first four games before being sidelined the remainder of the year with a neck injury.

In 2006, he was the first Northwestern player since Hudhaifa Ismaeli (1995) to accomplish every major defensive statistic in a single season and the team's seventh-leading tackler and leader in sacks and leader in Tackles for loss.[3] At the end of the season, Wootton earned a Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Freshman All-American selection[4] and was named to the Sporting News Freshman All-Big Ten team.[5]

In 2007, Wootton finished second on the team with 7.0 Tackles for loss and five pass deflections and second among defensive linemen with 39 tackles.[6][7]

Professional career

Chicago Bears

Wootton entered the 2010 NFL Draft and was selected 109th overall in the fourth round by the Chicago Bears.[8] During a game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 20, 2010, Wootton recorded his first career sack where he brought down quarterback Brett Favre. The sack forced Favre to leave the game due to a concussion.[9] The concussion eventually sidelined Favre for the remaining two games of his final season in the NFL.[10] In Week 9 of 2012 against the Tennessee Titans, Wootton scored his first career touchdown off a blocked punt, which had been blocked by former Northwestern teammate Sherrick McManis.[11][12] Wootton ended the 2012 season appearing in all 16 games with seven starts and seven sacks.[13]

In 2013, after injuries sustained to Henry Melton and Nate Collins, Wootton was shifted to defensive tackle in week five against the New Orleans Saints.[14]

Minnesota Vikings

On March 20, 2014, it was reported Wootton had signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings.[15]

Detroit Lions

On May 14, 2015, Wootton signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions.[16]

Retirement

On July 26, 2016, Wootton announced on Twitter that he was retiring from the NFL after playing six seasons.[17]

Following his retirement, Wootton provides football coverage for Fox Chicago and the Big Ten Network.[18]

References

  1. ^ Cimini, Rich. "Jets need D-line help on Day 2", ESPN, April 30, 2010. Accessed February 22, 2011. "If Rex Ryan wants a five-technique end for his 3-4 scheme, a candidate is Northwestern's Corey Wootton (6-6, 270). Like Wilson, he's a Jersey kid, born in Rutherford and a former standout at Don Bosco Prep."
  2. ^ Corey Wootton-Football Recruiting
  3. ^ "2006 Northwestern Football Final Notes & Season Wrapup" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
  4. ^ "Corey Wootton Named a 2006 Scripps FWAA Freshman All-American". Archived from the original on June 11, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
  5. ^ "Three Wildcats Earn Postseason Football Honors". Archived from the original on June 11, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
  6. ^ "2007 Season Recap" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 12, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
  7. ^ "2007 Northwestern Football cumulative stats" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 12, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
  8. ^ "2010 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  9. ^ "Brett Favre's career could be finished after Bears' Corey Wootton knocks Vikings QB out of game". NY Daily News. Associated Press. December 21, 2010. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
  10. ^ "Favre says his career is over". Fox Sports. January 2, 2011. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  11. ^ Mayer, Larry (November 4, 2012). "Bears crush Titans to extend win streak to six". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on April 7, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
  12. ^ Mayer, Larry (November 4, 2012). "Marshall hauls in three TDs in victory". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
  13. ^ Mayer, Larry (August 14, 2013). "Wootton striving to build on career year". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on August 17, 2013. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  14. ^ "Corey Wootton adapting to new position on line". Chicago Bears. October 8, 2013. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  15. ^ "Report: Corey Wootton signs one-year deal with Vikings". Comcast SportsNet Chicago. March 20, 2014. Archived from the original on March 21, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  16. ^ "Lions sign defensive lineman Corey Wootton". Archived from the original on May 15, 2015. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
  17. ^ Shook, Nick (July 26, 2016). "Veteran defensive lineman Corey Wootton retires". NFL.com. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  18. ^ Greeenstein, Teddy (April 24, 2019). "Corey Wootton says he didn't take cash — or free lemonade — when he played football at Northwestern". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 24, 2020.