 Blake with the Steelers | |||||||||||||
| No. 30, 38, 41, 47 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Cornerback | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born: | August 9, 1990 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. | ||||||||||||
| Height: | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | Thurgood Marshall (Missouri City, Texas) Terry Parker (Jacksonville, Florida) | ||||||||||||
| College: | UTEP | ||||||||||||
| Undrafted: | 2012 | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| Player stats at NFL.com | |||||||||||||
Antwon Valentino Blake (born August 9, 1990) is a former American football cornerback and special teamer. He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, and New York Giants. He played college football at Texas–El Paso (UTEP).
In September 2016, some believe that Blake changed his first name from Antwon to Valentino. This is not true; instead, Antwon joked with the press on media day and the joke was believed to be true.[1]
College career
He played college football at Texas-El Paso (UTEP) from 2008 to 2011. During his career at UTEP, Blake totaled 137 tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 interception.[2] He started every game his junior and senior years also started 1 game his sophomore season before suffering an ankle injury.
Professional career
Jacksonville Jaguars
Blake signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars following the 2012 NFL Draft as a rookie free agent.[3]
He was released on September 1, 2013.
Pittsburgh Steelers
On September 2, 2013, Blake was claimed on waivers by the Steelers. Blake would remain on the team over the next 3 seasons. He gathered his first interception during a Week 8, 2014 game against the Colts, picking off Andrew Luck.
In 2015, Blake became a starter. Though the Steeler pass defense was one of its worst in decades, Blake played a role. During Week 5, he picked off Philip Rivers, and ran it 70 yards for his first pick-six. He would have 2 more picks during the year, one in a Week 8 loss to the Bengals, and one against the Bengals in the Wild Card game.
Tennessee Titans
On March 17, 2016, Blake signed with the Tennessee Titans, reuniting him with former Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.[4]
New York Giants
On March 20, 2017, Blake signed with the New York Giants.[5] On August 23, 2017, the Giants placed Blake on the Reserve/Exempt list after leaving practice.[6] He was released on September 2, 2017.[7]
On September 5, 2017, Blake announced his retirement from the NFL.
References
- ↑ Wyatt, Jim. "What's In a Name? Titans CB Antwon Blake Explains". The Official Site of the Tennessee Titans. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
- ↑ "Jaguars S, Antwon Blake Interview". Retrieved January 26, 2013.
- ↑ "Jaguars sign 17 rookie Free Agents". Jaguars.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
- ↑ Titans Agree to Terms with CB Antwon Blake
- ↑ Eisen, Michael (March 20, 2017). "New York Giants sign QB Geno Smith, CB Valentino Blake". Giants.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017.
- ↑ Williams, Charean (August 23, 2017). "Valentino Blake leaves Giants". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
- ↑ "Giants Released CB Valentino Blake". NFLTradeRumors.com. September 2, 2017.