David Thornton (football)
Encyclopedia
David Dontay Thornton is a former outside linebacker
for the Indianapolis Colts
and Tennessee Titans
of the National Football League
.
at the University of North Carolina
where he was team-mates with Julius Peppers
, and Ryan Sims
. Originally a walk-on, Thornton's play eventually earned him a scholarship. In his senior year, Thornton was named second team All-ACC and team MVP.
by the Indianapolis Colts
.
Thornton best season came in 2003 when he led the Colts with 145 tackles and made two interceptions. In the 2005 season
Thornton made 83 tackles and two quarterback sack
s.
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
and Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
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...
.
North Carolina
Thornton played college footballCollege 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...
at the University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
where he was team-mates with Julius Peppers
Julius Peppers
Julius Frazier Peppers is an American football defensive end for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. Nicknamed The Freak of Nature, he was drafted by the Carolina Panthers second overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
, and Ryan Sims
Ryan Sims
Ryan O'Neal Sims is an American Football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. Sims' professional career began in 2002 with the Kansas City Chiefs, for whom he played through the end of the 2006 season...
. Originally a walk-on, Thornton's play eventually earned him a scholarship. In his senior year, Thornton was named second team All-ACC and team MVP.
Indianapolis Colts
Thornton was drafted in the fourth round in the 2002 NFL Draft2002 NFL Draft
The 2002 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft took place April 20–21, 2002 at the theater at...
by the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
.
Thornton best season came in 2003 when he led the Colts with 145 tackles and made two interceptions. In the 2005 season
2005 NFL season
The 2005 NFL season was the 86th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 8, 2005 to January 1, 2006...
Thornton made 83 tackles and two quarterback sack
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
s.