Donnie Nickey
Encyclopedia
Donnie Orvin Nickey is an American football
safety for the Tennessee Titans
of the National Football League
. He was originally drafted by the Titans in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Ohio State
.
in Plain City, Ohio
, and wore number 2, and was an All-Ohio running back
. He also played free safety in football. In addition to his football talent he was selected as an All-State center fielder as part of the 1998 OHSAA State Championship team (baseball).
on the 2002 NCAA National Championship
team.
2003: Played in 13 regular season and two postseason games. Seven special teams tackles and lined up as a free safety in two games.
2004: Played in 15 games and recorded six starts on defense. Set career highs in every defensive category; totaling 34 tackles on defense and an additional 5 on special teams.
2005: Played in all 16 games and recorded 15 special teams tackles (tied for 3rd on team).
2006: Played in all 16 games and tied for third with 16 special teams tackles.
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...
safety for the 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...
. He was originally drafted by the Titans in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft
2003 NFL Draft
The 2003 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 was held April 26–27, 2003 at the Theatre at...
. He played 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...
at Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
.
Early years
Nickey attended Jonathan Alder High SchoolJonathan Alder High School
Jonathan Alder High School is an NCA accredited public high school located in Plain City, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Jonathan Alder Local School District. The school, as well as the district, are named after Jonathan Alder, the first white settler in Madison County.The current building...
in Plain City, Ohio
Plain City, Ohio
Plain City is a village on the west banks of Big Darby Creek, in the northern part of Darby Township, Madison County and the southern part of Jerome Township, Union County in the U.S. state of Ohio...
, and wore number 2, and was an All-Ohio running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
. He also played free safety in football. In addition to his football talent he was selected as an All-State center fielder as part of the 1998 OHSAA State Championship team (baseball).
College career
Nickey was a co-captain with Mike DossMike Doss
Michael Allen Doss is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
on the 2002 NCAA National Championship
2003 Fiesta Bowl
The 2003 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl took place on January 3,2003 in Tempe, Arizona at Sun Devil Stadium. The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Miami Hurricanes by a score of 31–24 in double overtime. It also served as the BCS National Championship Game for the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season...
team.
Professional career
Nickey was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the 5th round (19th pick) of the 2003 NFL Draft. He has played his entire career with the Tennessee Titans. Most of his time comes in on special teams, where he has been a standout.2003: Played in 13 regular season and two postseason games. Seven special teams tackles and lined up as a free safety in two games.
2004: Played in 15 games and recorded six starts on defense. Set career highs in every defensive category; totaling 34 tackles on defense and an additional 5 on special teams.
2005: Played in all 16 games and recorded 15 special teams tackles (tied for 3rd on team).
2006: Played in all 16 games and tied for third with 16 special teams tackles.