Nathan Vasher
Encyclopedia
Nathaniel DeWayne Vasher (born November 17, 1981) is an American football
cornerback
who is currently a free agent
in the National Football League
. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears
in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Texas
.
at Texas High School
in Texarkana, Texas
, Vasher was recruited by the University of Texas at Austin
. He started at strong safety
for the Longhorns
in 2001 and at cornerback in 2002 and 2003. He intercepted 17 passes in his college career, tying the school record. He also returned punt
s and earned All-America
honors as a punt returner in 2001.
selected Vasher in the fourth round of 2004 NFL Draft
. He began his career with the team as a back-up cornerback
, but became a starter by the fourth week of the season. Vasher became the Bears’ top cornerback after Charles Tillman
was sidelined with an injury. In one of his best games of the season, Vasher intercepted one of Ken Dorsey
’s passes, and returned it for a 71-yard touchdown.
Vasher had the best season of his career in 2005, when he led the Bears and National Football Conference
with eight interceptions. He also set a record for the longest return of any kind when he returned Joe Nedney
’s missed 52-yard field goal for a 108-yard touchdown. The record was later tied by teammate Devin Hester
(who returned a missed Jay Feely
field goal for a score on November 12, 2006 against the Giants
) and Ellis Hobbs
(who returned a kickoff for a touchdown on September 9, 2007 against the Jets
). The record is now held by Antonio Cromartie
, who returned a missed Ryan Longwell
field goal 109 yards for a touchdown for San Diego against Minnesota on November 4, 2007. Vasher completed the season with an invitation to the Pro Bowl
, as well as two player of the week awards.
Vasher missed portions of the 2006 season on account of injuries and was limited to only three interceptions. He played a pivotal role in the Bears’ National Football Conference
Championship victory by recovering a fumble and also intercepting Drew Brees
in the game’s final minutes. He was later assigned to cover Marvin Harrison
, one of the Indianapolis Colts
’ top receivers, and limited him to 59 yards, while also assisting Chris Harris in an interception.
During the subsequent off-season, the Bears re-signed Vasher and Tillman to long-term contracts. He sustained a groin injury during the third game of the 2007 season and was forced to miss the next ten games while recuperating. He made his return during a Monday Night Football
match up against the Minnesota Vikings
, in which he intercepted a pass and also helped Brian Urlacher
record one by delivering a hit to Robert Ferguson. Vasher continued to struggle with injuries, and lost his starting job to Zack Bowman in 2009.
On March 17, 2010, Vasher was released from the Bears.
on March 29, 2010 but was released in September before playing in a game with the team.
. He was re-signed to a one-year deal on March 4th, 2011.On September 3 2011 Vasher was cut by the Lions
" at Wrigley Field
, for the Chicago Cubs
vs. Washington Nationals
game on May 6, 2007. Vasher was nicknamed "ESPN3" in college, and "The Interceptor" by Bears fans due to his many interceptions.
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 is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
in 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 Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft
2004 NFL Draft
The 2004 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 24-25, 2004 at the theater at Madison Square Garden...
. 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 Texas
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
.
Early years
An all-state selection at both cornerback and wide receiverWide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
at Texas High School
Texas High School
Texas High School is a public school in Texarkana, Texas . It is part of the Texarkana Independent School District.-History:The first classes were held in 1889 for grades 7 through 11 and the first graduating class consisted of three students in 1890. In 1965 a $3,000,000-bond issue for a new high...
in Texarkana, Texas
Texarkana, Texas
Texarkana is a city in Bowie County, Texas, United States. It effectively functions as one half of a city which crosses a state line — the other half, the city of Texarkana, Arkansas, lies on the other side of State Line Avenue...
, Vasher was recruited by the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
. He started at strong safety
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
for the Longhorns
Texas Longhorn Athletics
Texas Longhorns athletics programs include the extramural and intramural sports teams of The University of Texas at Austin. These teams are referred to as the Texas Longhorns , taking their name from the Longhorn cattle that were an important part of the development of Texas, and are now the...
in 2001 and at cornerback in 2002 and 2003. He intercepted 17 passes in his college career, tying the school record. He also returned punt
Punt (football)
In some codes of football, a punt is a play in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. A punt is in contrast to a drop kick, in which the ball touches the ground before being kicked....
s and earned All-America
College Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
honors as a punt returner in 2001.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago BearsChicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
selected Vasher in the fourth round of 2004 NFL Draft
2004 NFL Draft
The 2004 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 24-25, 2004 at the theater at Madison Square Garden...
. He began his career with the team as a back-up 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...
, but became a starter by the fourth week of the season. Vasher became the Bears’ top cornerback after Charles Tillman
Charles Tillman
Charles "Peanut" Tillman is an American football cornerback for the Chicago Bears of the NFL. He was selected with the 35th overall pick of the 2003 NFL Draft.-Early years:...
was sidelined with an injury. In one of his best games of the season, Vasher intercepted one of Ken Dorsey
Ken Dorsey
Kenneth Simon "Ken" Dorsey is a former football quarterback. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami. A two-time Heisman Trophy finalist at Miami, Dorsey played for the Cleveland Browns from 2006–2008...
’s passes, and returned it for a 71-yard touchdown.
Vasher had the best season of his career in 2005, when he led the Bears and National Football Conference
National Football Conference
The National Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the American Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL.-Current teams:Since 2002, the NFC has comprised 16 teams,...
with eight interceptions. He also set a record for the longest return of any kind when he returned Joe Nedney
Joe Nedney
Joseph Thomas Nedney is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent. Born and raised in San Jose, California, Nedney played college football at San Jose State and signed as an undrafted player with the Miami Dolphins in 1996...
’s missed 52-yard field goal for a 108-yard touchdown. The record was later tied by teammate Devin Hester
Devin Hester
Devin Hester is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League . He played college football at the University of Miami, where he became the first person in the university’s recent history to play in all three phases of American football...
(who returned a missed Jay Feely
Jay Feely
Thomas James "Jay" Feely is an American football placekicker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. Jay played for the Temple Terrace Spirit Soccer team that won the National Championships when he was 16....
field goal for a score on November 12, 2006 against the Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
) and Ellis Hobbs
Ellis Hobbs
Ellis Hobbs III is a former American football cornerback who played for six seasons in the National Football League. He played college football for Iowa State. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft and played for them from 2005–2008...
(who returned a kickoff for a touchdown on September 9, 2007 against the Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
). The record is now held by Antonio Cromartie
Antonio Cromartie
Antonio Cromartie is an American football cornerback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers 19th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft...
, who returned a missed Ryan Longwell
Ryan Longwell
Ryan Walker Longwell is an American football placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. After playing college football for the California Golden Bears, he started his professional football career with the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a game for the franchise...
field goal 109 yards for a touchdown for San Diego against Minnesota on November 4, 2007. Vasher completed the season with an invitation to the Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
, as well as two player of the week awards.
Vasher missed portions of the 2006 season on account of injuries and was limited to only three interceptions. He played a pivotal role in the Bears’ National Football Conference
National Football Conference
The National Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the American Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL.-Current teams:Since 2002, the NFC has comprised 16 teams,...
Championship victory by recovering a fumble and also intercepting Drew Brees
Drew Brees
Drew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....
in the game’s final minutes. He was later assigned to cover Marvin Harrison
Marvin Harrison
Marvin Daniel Harrison is a former American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Syracuse...
, one of 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 ....
’ top receivers, and limited him to 59 yards, while also assisting Chris Harris in an interception.
During the subsequent off-season, the Bears re-signed Vasher and Tillman to long-term contracts. He sustained a groin injury during the third game of the 2007 season and was forced to miss the next ten games while recuperating. He made his return during a Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
match up against the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
, in which he intercepted a pass and also helped Brian Urlacher
Brian Urlacher
Brian Keith Urlacher is an American football player for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League . He attended the University of New Mexico, where he was one of the school's most decorated athletes. In addition to setting multiple university records, Urlacher earned consideration for the...
record one by delivering a hit to Robert Ferguson. Vasher continued to struggle with injuries, and lost his starting job to Zack Bowman in 2009.
On March 17, 2010, Vasher was released from the Bears.
San Diego Chargers
Vasher signed a two-year contract with the San Diego ChargersSan Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on March 29, 2010 but was released in September before playing in a game with the team.
Detroit Lions
On September 13, 2010 Vasher signed with the Detroit LionsDetroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
. He was re-signed to a one-year deal on March 4th, 2011.On September 3 2011 Vasher was cut by the Lions
Personal
Vasher was invited to throw the ceremonial opening pitch, and sing "Take me out to the Ball GameTake Me Out to the Ball Game
"Take Me Out to the Ball Game" is a 1908 Tin Pan Alley song by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer which has become the unofficial anthem of baseball, although neither of its authors had attended a game prior to writing the song. The song is traditionally sung during the seventh-inning stretch of...
" at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
, for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
vs. Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
game on May 6, 2007. Vasher was nicknamed "ESPN3" in college, and "The Interceptor" by Bears fans due to his many interceptions.