Jonathan Vilma

Former Saints linebacker and Super Bowl champion, known for his tackling and leadership.

Jonathan Polynice Vilma (born April 16, 1982) is an American color analyst and former professional football player in the National Football League (NFL). He played as a linebacker and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection. Vilma played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, winning a national championship in 2001. He was selected by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft. Vilma won a Super Bowl championship with the New Orleans Saints. He serves as a color analyst for the NFL on Fox. He previously worked at ESPN as a college football commentator and studio analyst. Vilma was elected as a member of the Orange Bowl Committee in 2018.

Quick Facts

Position: Linebacker
Born: 16 April 1982
Birthplace: New York City, U.S.
High school: Coral Gables Senior (Coral Gables, Florida)
College: Miami (FL) (2000–2003)
Draft year: 2004
Draft pick: 12
Former teams: New York Jets (2004–2007); New Orleans Saints (2008–2013)

Facts from the source article.

Background

Vilma was born in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York City to Haitian immigrant parents. His family moved to Coral Gables, Florida, when Vilma was 6 years old. He attended G. W. Carver Middle School and later Coral Gables Senior High School, where he was a teammate of Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore. Vilma received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Miami, and played for coach Butch Davis and coach Larry Coker's Miami Hurricanes football teams from 2000 to 2003.

He led the team in tackles in 2001, 2002, and 2003. Vilma was a three-time Academic All-Big East Conference and received a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Miami's School of Business Administration. He was interviewed for the documentary The U, which premiered December 12, 2009, on ESPN. Vilma was drafted by the Jets in the first round with the 12th selection in the 2004 NFL draft.

In 2004, he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. In 2005, he led the NFL in tackles with 169, forced four fumbles, notched one fumble recovery, half a sack, and one interception. Vilma also replaced Zach Thomas at the 2006 Pro Bowl. On February 29, 2008, the Jets traded Vilma to the New Orleans Saints for a fourth-round draft pick in the 2008 NFL draft and a conditional pick in the 2009 NFL draft (ultimately a third-round pick).

In his first season with the Saints, Vilma played in all 16 games, and recorded 132 tackles with one sack. On February 27, 2009, Vilma signed a five-year, $34 million contract with the Saints. He was elected one of the defensive captains, led the team in tackles, had three interceptions, and was chosen for his second Pro Bowl. In Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010, Vilma made several important plays, including making a key defensive audible and deflecting a pass on 3rd and 11 in the fourth quarter.

The Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts 31–17. Vilma again led the team in tackles in 2010, started every game, and was selected to the Pro Bowl. He was ranked 37th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2011. In 2011, he started and played in 11 games but was inactive for five others with a knee injury.

He was ranked 58th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2012. Vilma was a central figure in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal.

Did You Know?

Vilma was inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame on October 29, 2017.
He started the Jonathan Vilma Foundation after the 2010 Haiti earthquake to help with rebuilding efforts.