Johnathan Joseph
Encyclopedia
Johnathan Joseph is an American football
cornerback
with the Houston Texans
, drafted 24th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft
by the Cincinnati Bengals
out of South Carolina
.
Joseph's top two schools were the Florida Gators
and South Carolina Gamecocks
, who both offered him scholarships. Joseph ended up choosing South Carolina over Florida.
Joseph started at cornerback his first two games of the 2004 season, but broke his foot in the first quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs
. Joseph spent the remainder of the year rehabilitating his injury. Joseph recorded two tackles in his first game against Vanderbilt
and forced a fumble.
Joseph was scheduled to have a big season in 2005, along with teammate and fellow defensive back Ko Simpson
. Joseph earned the Outstanding Defensive Back Award in spring practice and recorded two tackles and a broken up pass in the Garnet and Black Game. Joseph finished the season with 55 tackles, four interceptions, and nine broken up passes.
He was a criminal justice major. He has a son, Jay'vion.
in the 1st round, 24th overall. In his rookie year of 2006, Joseph made his debut start worthy with five tackles against the Kansas City Chiefs
. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers
in Week 3, Joseph defended his first pass, three in that game, and added to them with three tackles. Against the Baltimore Ravens
in Week 13, Joseph recorded a then-season-best 7 tackles and a career-best 4 defended passes. In his last game of the year, a 23-17 overtime loss to Pittsburgh, Joseph recorded a career-best 10 tackles with 2 defended passes. Joseph's season totals were 58 tackles and 20 pass break-ups.
Joseph was arrested early in the morning on January 22, 2007 in Northern Kentucky
. He was charged with possession of marijuana, making him the ninth Cincinnati Bengals player arrested in a nine month period.
Joseph only missed one game of the 2007 season, as he finished with 62 tackles, 15 pass break-ups and 4 interceptions and a touchdown. His interception total was second on the team, behind rookie Leon Hall
.
The 2008 season started well for Joseph as he scored the first touchdown of the season on a 66-yard fumble return. However, Joseph would only start 7 games during the year and finish with a career-low in tackles with 42. Joseph also accumulated a forced fumble, 13 pass break-ups an interception.
After starting only seven games in 2008, Joseph had the best year of his career in the 2009 season. In Week 3, Joseph returned an interception from Ben Roethlisberger
for a touchdown, en route to a 22-19 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers
. In late December 2009 Sports Illustrated
writer Peter King
called Joseph and Hall "the best tandem in the NFL."
Joseph finished the season with career-highs in tackles with 69 and interceptions with 6. He also recorded one forced fumble, 20 pass break-ups and a touchdown.
After the season, USA Today
named Joseph to their annual "All-Joe" team
which recognizes quality players that don't get their due.
signed Joseph to a 5-year deal worth $48.75 million, with $23.5 million guaranteed.
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...
with the Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, drafted 24th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
by the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
out of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
.
College career
Joseph started out his career in Junior College at Coffeyville in 2003. He was ranked the 31st best JUCO player in the nation by College Football News and earned All-Conference honors. Joseph recorded three interceptions, one for a touchdown, and 43 tackles. Joseph also recorded a sack and two pass break-ups.Joseph's top two schools were the Florida Gators
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators are the intercollegiate sports teams that represent the University of Florida located in Gainesville, Florida. The "Lady Gators" is an alternative nickname sometimes used by the Gators women's teams...
and South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina Gamecocks
The University of South Carolina's 19 varsity sports teams are known as the "Gamecocks". The unique moniker is held in honor of Thomas Sumter, a South Carolina war hero who was given the name "The Carolina Gamecock" during the American Revolution for his fierce fighting tactics, regardless of his...
, who both offered him scholarships. Joseph ended up choosing South Carolina over Florida.
Joseph started at cornerback his first two games of the 2004 season, but broke his foot in the first quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia Bulldogs
The Georgia Bulldogs are the athletic teams of the University of Georgia. The Bulldogs compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and are members of the Southeastern Conference...
. Joseph spent the remainder of the year rehabilitating his injury. Joseph recorded two tackles in his first game against Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
and forced a fumble.
Joseph was scheduled to have a big season in 2005, along with teammate and fellow defensive back Ko Simpson
Ko Simpson
Yukota "Ko" Simpson is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
. Joseph earned the Outstanding Defensive Back Award in spring practice and recorded two tackles and a broken up pass in the Garnet and Black Game. Joseph finished the season with 55 tackles, four interceptions, and nine broken up passes.
He was a criminal justice major. He has a son, Jay'vion.
Cincinnati Bengals
Joseph was drafted by the Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
in the 1st round, 24th overall. In his rookie year of 2006, Joseph made his debut start worthy with five tackles against the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
in Week 3, Joseph defended his first pass, three in that game, and added to them with three tackles. Against the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
in Week 13, Joseph recorded a then-season-best 7 tackles and a career-best 4 defended passes. In his last game of the year, a 23-17 overtime loss to Pittsburgh, Joseph recorded a career-best 10 tackles with 2 defended passes. Joseph's season totals were 58 tackles and 20 pass break-ups.
Joseph was arrested early in the morning on January 22, 2007 in Northern Kentucky
Northern Kentucky
Northern Kentucky is the name often given to the northernmost counties in Kentucky...
. He was charged with possession of marijuana, making him the ninth Cincinnati Bengals player arrested in a nine month period.
Joseph only missed one game of the 2007 season, as he finished with 62 tackles, 15 pass break-ups and 4 interceptions and a touchdown. His interception total was second on the team, behind rookie Leon Hall
Leon Hall
Leon Lastarza Hall is an American football defensive back who plays for the Cincinnati Bengals. He played college football at the University of Michigan. Hall was drafted by the Bengals with the 18th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft...
.
The 2008 season started well for Joseph as he scored the first touchdown of the season on a 66-yard fumble return. However, Joseph would only start 7 games during the year and finish with a career-low in tackles with 42. Joseph also accumulated a forced fumble, 13 pass break-ups an interception.
After starting only seven games in 2008, Joseph had the best year of his career in the 2009 season. In Week 3, Joseph returned an interception from Ben Roethlisberger
Ben Roethlisberger
Benjamin Todd "Ben" Roethlisberger , nicknamed Big Ben, is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers in the first round in the 2004 NFL Draft...
for a touchdown, en route to a 22-19 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
. In late December 2009 Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
writer Peter King
Peter King (sportswriter)
Peter King is an American sportswriter. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated and its Web site, including the weekly multiple-page column Monday Morning Quarterback. He is the author of five books, most notably Inside the Helmet, as well as a TV analyst and reporter...
called Joseph and Hall "the best tandem in the NFL."
Joseph finished the season with career-highs in tackles with 69 and interceptions with 6. He also recorded one forced fumble, 20 pass break-ups and a touchdown.
After the season, USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
named Joseph to their annual "All-Joe" team
USA Today All-Joe Team
The USA Today All-Joe team is an annual selection of National Football League players and coaches deemed hard workers and over-achievers that may be overlooked by the biased media...
which recognizes quality players that don't get their due.
Houston Texans
On July 29, 2011, the Houston TexansHouston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
signed Joseph to a 5-year deal worth $48.75 million, with $23.5 million guaranteed.