Fernando Bryant

Fernando Antoneyo Bryant (born March 26, 1977) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars 26th overall in the 1999 NFL draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Bryant was also a member of the Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, and Pittsburgh Steelers. He won Super Bowl XLIII as a member of the Steelers.

Early life Bryant attended Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and starred in football as a wide receiver/defensive back and in track as a sprinter. In football, as a senior, he garnered All-American honors, and finished the year with six interceptions and 82 tackles on defense, and 48 receptions on offense.

College career At the University of Alabama, Bryant was an All-SEC second-team selection in 1996 and 1997, as well as an All-SEC first-team selection in 1998 and nicknamed TWO-FIVE.

Professional career

Jacksonville Jaguars Bryant was selected in the first round (26th overall) in the 1999 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He spent five years with the Jaguars.

Detroit Lions On March 5, 2004, the Detroit Lions signed Bryant to a six–year, $24 million contract that included a signing bonus of $7.25 million.

On February 25, 2008, the Lions released Bryant.

New England Patriots On March 20, 2008, he signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots, he was cut by the team on August 30, 2008.

Pittsburgh Steelers On November 11, 2008, Bryant was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers where he was reunited with college teammate Deshea Townsend.

In June 2009, Bryant retired.

NFL statistics Year Team GP Tackles Fumbles Interceptions Comb Solo Ast Sack FF FR Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD 1999 JAX 16 69 60 9 0.0 0 3 2 0 0.0 0 0 16 2000 JAX 14 43 37 6 0.0 0 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 7 2001 JAX 10 54 49 5 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 6 2002 JAX 16 59 57 2 0.0 0 2 1 26 26.0 26 0 12 2003 JAX 16 70 61 9 0.0 0 0 1 0 0.0 0 0 9 2004 DET 10 51 42 9 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 9 2005 DET 2 8 7 1 0.0 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 2006 DET 10 46 36 10 0.0 0 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 6 2007 DET 16 69 59 10 0.0 1 0 2 0 0.0 0 0 13 2008 PIT 2 3 3 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 Career 112 472 411 61 0.0 2 7 7 26 3.7 26 0 79