Aqib Talib
Encyclopedia
Aqib Talib is an American football
cornerback
who plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
of the National Football League
. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft
.
. He attended Berkner High School in Richardson, Texas
and lettered in football, basketball, and track. In football, as a senior, he was named the Berkner High School's Defensive Back of the Year while garnering first-team all-district and first-team all-city honors. As a college football
prospect during his senior year, he was rated 2 stars by Rivals.com
. He was recruited by Kansas
, Kansas State
, Wyoming
, Tulsa
, Arizona
, and Baylor
. He chose to sign a National Letter of Intent
to play for Kansas.
and a freshman all-American by Rivals.com.
, Talib deflected four passes and scored a 42-yard touchdown after lining up as a wide receiver. He picked up first-team all-Big 12 honors from the conference coaches and was named a second-team all-American by Sports Illustrated.
. He also continued to play sparingly as a wide receiver, catching four touchdown passes through the first nine games. Against rival Kansas State, Talib preserved a victory by intercepting a Josh Freeman
pass in the final moments of the game. He has also returned an interception 102 yards for a touchdown against Florida International. After the season, Talib was a unanimous All-American selection.
In the 2008 Orange Bowl
against Virginia Tech, Talib returned an interception for a touchdown and was named the game's Most Valuable Player. He announced on January 6, 2008 that he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2008 NFL Draft
.
in Indianapolis, Indiana
. Talib's results included posting a 38-inch vertical leap, running a 4.44-second 40-yard dash and a 6.82-second 3 cone drill, bench pressing 225 pounds 10 times and notching a broad jump of 10 feet, 11 inches.
, becoming the first KU player to be drafted in the first round since 1993 (Dana Stubblefield
, 26th overall by the San Francisco 49ers
). Talib also became the second cornerback ever taken by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round (Rod Jones, 1986 NFL Draft
)
. As of the beginning of week 16, Talib was 1st among NFL rookies with 4 interceptions and tied for 10th overall in the NFL along with Rashean Mathis
, Terence Newman
, Asante Samuel
, and teammate Ronde Barber
.
team history (along with Ronde Barber
) to record three interceptions in one game when he did it against the Washington Redskins
on October 4, 2009.
he injured his hip in which a tendon tore from his bone which ended his season. At the time of his injury he was tied for second in the NFL in interceptions.
After the 2010 season, Aqib Talib was named Defensive Back of the Year by the NFL Alumni Association
.
. On August 20, 2009, Talib allegedly battered a taxi driver, and he was arrested by Florida Highway Patrol
and booked into the Pinellas County jail
, charged with resisting arrest
without violence and simple battery.
In March 2011, police in Garland, Texas
issued a felony warrant for Talib for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after accusing him of firing a gun at his sister's boyfriend. He was later released on $25,000 bond. Talib was indicted on the charge in May 2011.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
who plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
20th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
.
Early years
Talib was born in Cleveland, OhioCleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. He attended Berkner High School in Richardson, Texas
Richardson, Texas
Richardson is a city in Dallas and Collin Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 99,223. In 2011 the population was estimated to be 107,684. Richardson is an affluent inner suburb of Dallas and home of the Telecom Corridor with a high...
and lettered in football, basketball, and track. In football, as a senior, he was named the Berkner High School's Defensive Back of the Year while garnering first-team all-district and first-team all-city honors. As a college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
prospect during his senior year, he was rated 2 stars by Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
. He was recruited by Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
, Kansas State
Kansas State University
Kansas State University, commonly shortened to K-State, is an institution of higher learning located in Manhattan, Kansas, in the United States...
, Wyoming
University of Wyoming
The University of Wyoming is a land-grant university located in Laramie, Wyoming, situated on Wyoming's high Laramie Plains, at an elevation of 7,200 feet , between the Laramie and Snowy Range mountains. It is known as UW to people close to the university...
, Tulsa
University of Tulsa
The University of Tulsa is a private university awarding bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. It is currently ranked 75th among doctoral degree granting universities in the nation by US News and World Report and is listed as one of the "Best 366 Colleges" by...
, Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
, and Baylor
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
. He chose to sign a National Letter of Intent
National Letter of Intent
The National Letter of Intent is a document used to indicate a student athlete's commitment to participating NCAA colleges and universities in the United States. The NCAA Eligibility Center manages the daily operations of the NLI program while the Collegiate Commissioners Association provides...
to play for Kansas.
2005 season
After redshirting in his first year at Kansas, Talib contributed substantially to a strong Jayhawk defense. Playing alongside future NFL cornerback Charles Gordon, Talib played in 11 games, starting nine. He recorded two interceptions and led the team by breaking up eight passes. He helped Kansas achieve a 7-5 record, including a 42-13 victory against Houston in the Fort Worth Bowl. For his efforts, Talib was named all-Big 12 Honorable Mention by the conference coaches, the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year by the Fort Worth Star-TelegramFort Worth Star-Telegram
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram is a major U.S. daily newspaper serving Fort Worth and the western half of the North Texas area known as the Metroplex. Its area of domination is checked by its main rival, The Dallas Morning News, which is published from the eastern half of the Metroplex. It is owned...
and a freshman all-American by Rivals.com.
2006 season
As a sophomore, Talib was the defensive leader of a Jayhawk team that finished 6-6. He led the nation in passes broken up per game and recorded six interceptions. In the final game of the season against the Missouri TigersMissouri Tigers
The Missouri Tigers athletics programs include the extramural and intramural sports teams of the University of Missouri, located in Columbia, Missouri, United States...
, Talib deflected four passes and scored a 42-yard touchdown after lining up as a wide receiver. He picked up first-team all-Big 12 honors from the conference coaches and was named a second-team all-American by Sports Illustrated.
2007 season
Talib established himself as one of the best defensive college football players in the country as a junior, becoming a consensus All-American2007 College Football All-America Team
The 2007 College Football All-America Team is composed of the following All-American Teams: Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Foundation, The Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, Pro Football Weekly, ESPN, CBS Sports, College...
. He also continued to play sparingly as a wide receiver, catching four touchdown passes through the first nine games. Against rival Kansas State, Talib preserved a victory by intercepting a Josh Freeman
Josh Freeman
-2009:On November 8, 2009, Freeman started his first professional game at home against the Green Bay Packers. The Buccaneers won, ending an 11-game losing streak. He completed 14 out of 31 passes for 205 yards, 3 passing touchdowns, and 1 INT, including a fourth down touchdown pass to rookie Sammie...
pass in the final moments of the game. He has also returned an interception 102 yards for a touchdown against Florida International. After the season, Talib was a unanimous All-American selection.
In the 2008 Orange Bowl
2008 Orange Bowl
The 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl game was a post-season college football bowl game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Kansas Jayhawks on January 3, 2008, at Dolphins Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Spread bettors favored Virginia Tech by three points, but in a game dominated by defensive and...
against Virginia Tech, Talib returned an interception for a touchdown and was named the game's Most Valuable Player. He announced on January 6, 2008 that he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2008 NFL Draft
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
.
Pre-draft
As one of the nation's top cornerback prospects, Talib received an invitation to the 2008 NFL Combine, held at the RCA DomeRCA Dome
RCA Dome was a domed stadium, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL franchise for 24 seasons ....
in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. Talib's results included posting a 38-inch vertical leap, running a 4.44-second 40-yard dash and a 6.82-second 3 cone drill, bench pressing 225 pounds 10 times and notching a broad jump of 10 feet, 11 inches.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Talib was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the 20th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
, becoming the first KU player to be drafted in the first round since 1993 (Dana Stubblefield
Dana Stubblefield
Dana William Stubblefield is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League. After graduating from Taylor High School in North Bend, Ohio, Stubblefield attended the University of Kansas....
, 26th overall by the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
). Talib also became the second cornerback ever taken by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round (Rod Jones, 1986 NFL Draft
1986 NFL Draft
The 1986 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 29–30, 1986...
)
2008 season
Talib recorded his first career interception in Week 2 of the 2008 season against the Atlanta FalconsAtlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. As of the beginning of week 16, Talib was 1st among NFL rookies with 4 interceptions and tied for 10th overall in the NFL along with Rashean Mathis
Rashean Mathis
Rashean Jamil Mathis is an American football cornerback currently playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL.-High school:Mathis attended Englewood High School in Jacksonville at the same time as Brett Myers of the Houston Astros, and was a student and a letterman in football. In football, he...
, Terence Newman
Terence Newman
Terence Newman is a starting American football cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League. He played in the 2008 pro-bowl and has 32 interceptions in his career....
, Asante Samuel
Asante Samuel
Asante T. Samuel is an American football cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
, and teammate Ronde Barber
Ronde Barber
Jamael Orondé "Rondé" Barber is an American football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
.
2009 season
In 2009, Talib had 5 interceptions. He also became just the second player in BuccaneersTampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
team history (along with Ronde Barber
Ronde Barber
Jamael Orondé "Rondé" Barber is an American football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
) to record three interceptions in one game when he did it against the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
on October 4, 2009.
2010 season
In 2010 Talib had six interceptions, one which he returned for a touchdown. However in a week 13 game against the Atlanta FalconsAtlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
he injured his hip in which a tendon tore from his bone which ended his season. At the time of his injury he was tied for second in the NFL in interceptions.
After the 2010 season, Aqib Talib was named Defensive Back of the Year by the NFL Alumni Association
National Football League Alumni
The NFL Alumni is a 501 charity that is composed of former NFL players and associate members who work voluntarily to raise funds for youth-oriented causes and engage in hands-on service to foster the development of "youth through sports and sports through youth." The NFL Alumni advances its motto...
.
2011 season
In his first game, he had an interception returned for a touchdown on September 11.Personal
His first name, Aqib, means "the last one" in the Arabic language. He was named so by his mother as he was the youngest of 4 children.Legal and conduct issues
Talib has had several conduct related issues since his NFL career started. At the NFL rookie symposium in July 2008, Talib was involved in a fistfight with fellow Buccaneers rookie Cory BoydCory Boyd
Cory J. Boyd is a gridiron football running back for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
. On August 20, 2009, Talib allegedly battered a taxi driver, and he was arrested by Florida Highway Patrol
Florida Highway Patrol
The Division of the Florida Highway Patrol is a division of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and the law enforcement agency charged with ensuring the safety of the highways and roads of the state.-History:...
and booked into the Pinellas County jail
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for Pinellas County, Florida, USA and is responsible for law enforcement services in the unincorporated areas of the county as well as contract cities, jail facilities and courthouse security for Florida's 6th Judicial...
, charged with resisting arrest
Resisting arrest
Resisting arrest is a term used to describe a criminal charge against an individual who has committed, depending on the jurisdiction, at least one of the following acts:* threatening a police officer with physical violence while being arrested...
without violence and simple battery.
In March 2011, police in Garland, Texas
Garland, Texas
-Climate:* The average warmest month is July.* The highest recorded temperature was in 2000.* On average, the coolest month is January.* The lowest recorded temperature was in 1989.* The maximum average precipitation occurs in May....
issued a felony warrant for Talib for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after accusing him of firing a gun at his sister's boyfriend. He was later released on $25,000 bond. Talib was indicted on the charge in May 2011.