Curtis Lofton life and biography

Curtis Tremayne Lofton is a linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League.

CAREER
In two seasons with the Falcons, has totaled 268 tackles (185 solo), one sack, three forced fumbles and five passes defensed. Totaled 160 tackles in 2009, which was the highest total for a member of the Falcons defense since 2006. Garnered 2008 All-Rookie accolades by The Sporting News and Pro Football Weekly. Ranked second in the league in tackles among first year players behind Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo (according to STATS, Inc).

2009 (FALCONS)
In 16 starts at middle linebacker, totaled a team and career-high 160 tackles (118 solo), two forced fumbles and two passes defensed. Recorded 13 tackles and one forced fumble in the season opener against Miami (9/13). Tallied a career-high 19 stops at New England (9/27), which included 13 solo tackles. Collared 11 tackles, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble against Chicago (10/18). Posted a team-high 15 tackles at the New York Giants (11/22), which included a career-high 14 solo stops.

2008 (FALCONS)
Earned the starting role at middle linebacker in his first season and totaled 108 tackles (67 solo), one sack for a loss of seven yards, one forced fumble and three passes defensed. Collared a career-high 11 tackles vs. Chicago (10/12) including a career-high eight solo tackles. Tallied two tackles, one forced fumble and his first career sack (seven yards) at Philadelphia (10/26). Notched a team-high seven tackles at Oakland (11/2) for a defense that did not allow a first down in the first half and allowed a franchise-low three in the whole game. Collared six tackles (five solo) in Atlanta's Wild Card meeting at Arizona (1/3/09).

COLLEGE
In three seasons at Oklahoma, collared 197 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, three interceptions and one sack. His 157 tackles in 2007 tied for the seventh-best season total in school history and were the most by a Sooner since 1979. Earned first-team All-America honors from The NFL Draft Report, Football Writers Association of America, Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News adding second-team accolades from the Associated Press in his senior season. Posted 18 stops against Missouri in 2007, registering the 12th-best game total in school history.

PERSONAL
Attended Kingfisher High School (Oklahoma), Lofton was a standout linebacker who also played fullback. Was rated the eighth-best middle linebacker in the nation by ESPN.com. As a senior, was named Parade first-team All-America, Daily Oklahoma All-State and Oklahoma High School Coaches Association All-State first-team. Lettered three times and led the team with 168 tackles while adding eight sacks as a senior. Was an all-state selection in basketball.

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