Danieal Manning
Former NFL safety and return specialist who played for the Bears, Texans, and Bengals.
via Wikipedia: Danieal Manning · see source
Danieal LaCraig Manning (born August 9, 1982) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Abilene Christian Wildcats and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Safety
- Born
- 9 August 1982
- Birthplace
- Corsicana, Texas, U.S.
- High school
- Corsicana
- College
- Abilene Christian (2001–2005)
- Draft year
- 2006
- Draft round
- 2
- Draft pick
- 42
Lore & Background
Manning originally signed with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, but never enrolled, choosing to attend Abilene Christian University. He was a three-year starter at Corsicana High School in Corsicana, Texas, where he totaled 67 tackles, three interceptions and three blocked kicks as a senior and was named second-team all-state. He also finished second in the state in Class 4A in both the 100-meter dash and triple jump. In college, he was named Division II third-team All-American as a sophomore, first-team All-American as a return specialist as a junior, and first-team All-American as a defensive back as a senior. He was ranked as the ninth best safety available in the 2006 NFL draft by Sports Illustrated. The Bears selected him 42nd overall, making him the highest selection from Abilene Christian since Johnny Perkins in 1977 and the first player from a non-Division I school in 2006. Midway through the 2008 season, he took over Devin Hester's kick return duties. On December 11, 2008, he returned a kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown, the first regular season opening kickoff returned for a touchdown for the Bears since 1972. A week earlier, he intercepted David Garrard's pass on the Jaguars' opening drive and returned it to the five-yard line. He led the league in return average and number of 30+-yard returns, despite only starting half the season. He was the Bears' starting nickelback in 2008 and won the starting free safety job before the 2009 summer training camp. On passing downs, he played nickelback while Craig Steltz filled in at free safety. Due to his larger defensive role, the Bears chose Johnny Knox to take over kick-returning duties. He signed a four-year, $20 million contract with the Houston Texans on July 28, 2011. In week 4 of the 2012 season, he intercepted Matt Hasselbeck and returned it 55 yards for his first defensive touchdown. He was released by the Texans on March 31, 2014. He signed a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals on April 3, 2014. On September 1, 2014, he signed with the Texans again. He announced his retirement on July 14, 2015. On December 18, 2018, he announced he would return to Abilene Christian as an assistant coach on Adam Dorrel's staff.
Reader's Guide
Danieal Manning played safety and returned kicks for the Chicago Bears, Houston Texans (two stints), and Cincinnati Bengals. He was a second-round pick in 2006 and is known for his 83-yard kickoff return touchdown in 2008 and a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown in 2012.
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