Donte Whitner life and biography

Donte Whitner is an American football safety who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League.

PRO:
Drafted by the Bills with the team’s first pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, 8th overall…was the first player taken by the Bills from the Ohio State University since the team drafted Tim Anderson in 2004…became the third defensive back from Ohio State selected with the team’s first round pick behind Nate Clements in 2001 (21st) and Antoine Winfield in 1999 (23rd) …became the 16th Ohio State player drafted by the Bills in team history.

NFL AWARDS:
* Selected as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month in September 2006
* Selected to the NFL.com All-Rookie Team and Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team in 2006

2009:
* At NE (9/14) Posted 10 tackles to tie for the second-most on the defense.
* vs. TB (9/20) recorded first interception-touchdown in his career on a 76-yard return, longest by a Bill since Henry Jones’ 85-yard INT-TD on 10/3/93 vs. NYG. Totaled eight tackles including a key tackle on a 4th-and-1 play in the third quarter.
* Vs. NO (9/27) totaled five tackles before leaving the game in the second half with an arm injury. Helped Buffalo pass defense hold New Orleans to just 156 passing yards.
* at MIA (10/4), vs. CLE (10/11) INACTIVE (thumb injury).
* At NYJ (10/18) Returned to the lineup after missing two weeks with a thumb injury and posted two tackles. Left the game early with an ankle injury.
* at CAR (10/25), vs. HOU (11/1) Inactive (ankle injury).
* at. TEN (11/15) Part of the 53-man roster but did not play.
* at JAX (11/22) Saw action at safety and as the nickel defensive back. Totaled two solo tackles. …
* vs. MIA (11/29) Tied for the team-lead with 10 tackles. Posted his second interception of the season and established a new season-high in the category.
* vs. NYJ (12/3) Recorded six total tackles and a pass defensed.
* at KC (12/13) Finished with a three tackles including one tackle for loss.
* vs. NE (12/20) Totaled three solo tackles. Pass defense held New England 115 yards and Tom Brady to a passer rating on 59.3.
* at ATL (12/27) Made his 50th career start. Led all Bills defensive backs with eight tackles (all solo) including one tackle for loss.
* vs. IND (1/3) Part of the 53-man roster, but did not play.

2008:
* Voted team captain
* Recorded his first career sack at StL. (9/28) for a loss of 13 yards… takedown helped stall a Rams drive, leading to a missed field goal attempt
* Tallied a season-high ten tackles (eight solo) at Arz. (10/5)
* Forced a fumble at Den. (12/21), that was recovered by the Bills and set up a Buffalo field goal.

2007:
* Was the only Bills defender to take every snap (999) through the first 15 games starting at strong safety … Streak came to an end in Week 17 when he was unable to make the trip to Phi. (12/30) due to illness (flu)
* Finished third on the team with 102 tackles

* Posted nine tackles vs. Den. (9/9)
* Tied a team-high with a season-high 11 tackles at NE (9/23)
* Vs. NE (11/18), recorded his first career forced fumble on a Kevin Faulk pass reception in the second quarter… Registered five tackles
* Recorded second career interception vs. Mia. (12/9)… Turnover led to a Lee Evans TD… Had six tackles
* Finished second on the team in tackles with 10 vs. NYG (12/23)

2006:
* Started 14 of 15 games played in his rookie campaign … finished second on the team in tackles with 107 … also had five passes defensed and one interception … one half of the only NFL rookie tandem to start at safety in 2006 (Ko Simpson)
* At NE (9/10), in his first career professional game recorded first interception during fourth quarter to give Buffalo a chance to win the game; also had seven solo tackles
* At Mia. (9/17), made his first career start at strong safety, broke up a crucial two-point conversion pass that ended Miami’s chances of a comeback in the 4th quarter … had seven tackles (five solo)
* Vs. Min. (10/1), continued his impressive play with six tackles (five solo) on a defense that had five rookies in the mix at times … had one pass break up
* At Chi. (10/8), recorded 11 tackles (nine solo)
* At Det. (10/15), tied for the team-high in tackles with eight, six of them solo … also had one pass breakup
* Vs. Jac. (11/26), recorded eight solo tackles … provided Roscoe Parrish with initial block on an 82-yard punt return touchdown
* At NYJ (12/10), inactive with a hamstring injury
* Vs. Ten. (12/24), led the team with a career-high 14 tackles, including 12 solo
* At Bal. (12/31), second on the team with 12 tackles, including 11 solo … also had one pass break up

COLLEGE:
Proven to be a hard hitter in run support…displayed the quickness to handle speedy receivers in man coverage… started 18 of 35 games for the Buckeyes…registered 164 tackles (117 solos) with five sacks for 41 yards and thirteen stops for losses of 76 yards…caused two fumbles and recovered a blocked punt for a score…deflected nine passes and had five interceptions for 62 yards in returns and a touchdown …started six of ten games in 2004, sitting out contests after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery… as a junior in 2005, was an All-Big Ten Conference first-team pick…started every game at strong safety…finished third on the team with 73 tackles (55 solos)…had four sacks for 30 yards and ranked fourth on the team with nine stops for losses of 51 yards…caused a fumble, deflected six passes and intercepted two others for 26 yards in returns with a touchdown…helped the team rank fifth in the nation in total defense (281.33 ypg) and scoring defense (15.25 ppg)… Majored in consumer affairs.

PERSONAL:
Attended Glenville (Cleveland, Oh.) High School… rated the best overall prospect in the Midwest and the seventh-best in the nation by Prep Star…played in the U.S. Army Bowl over Christmas break of his senior campaign…made 87 tackles and three interceptions as a junior…posted 60 tackles, including ten stops for losses, three interceptions and four forced fumbles…on offense, he scored 14 touchdowns as a junior and had nine touchdown receptions as a senior…finished career with 13 interceptions…earned Honor Roll recognition as he excelled in the classroom. … has one son Donte Jr, and a daughter D'aira Denise Whitner… has his own website at www.dwhitner20.com .

COMMUNITY:
Donte participated in the 2009 Community Ticket Donation Program by donating 20 season tickets to the United Way. Over 200 people were part of Whitner’s Winners and attended Buffalo Bills home games where they were also treated to food and beverage coupons compliments of Donte.

Donte is also heavily involved with the Kids Escaping Drugs Campaign participating in both the K.E.D. Telethon and the autograph signing at the Verizon Wireless Store in the Mckinley Mall. The Campaign was created with the purpose of raising funds for the construction and support of adolescent drug & alcohol treatment facilities. Donte also supports his hometown community hosting a free football camp in Cleveland and the ‘Celebrity Cancer Strike Bowling Tournament.’

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