Keiwan Ratliff

Keiwan Jevar Ratliff (born April 19, 1981) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) during the 2000s. He played college football for the Florida Gators, and was recognized as a consensus All-American. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2004 NFL draft, and also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL.

Early life

Ratliff was born in Youngstown, Ohio in 1981. He attended Whitehall-Yearling High School in Whitehall, Ohio, and was a letterman in high school football and basketball for the Whitehall-Yearling Rams. Ratliff was a standout receiver on offense and cornerback on defense, he totaled forty-two catches for 760 yards and twelve touchdowns in 1997, and forty-six receptions for 880 yards and thirteen touchdowns in 1998. During his four-season college career with the Gators, he set school records for punt return yards (860), interceptions in a season (9), and interceptions in a single game (3). As a senior team captain, he was recognized as the SEC Defensive Player of the Year by Sporting News, and was picked by his teammates as the Gators' most valuable player.

Professional career

Cincinnati Bengals (first stint)

The Cincinnati Bengals selected Ratliff in the second round (forty-ninth overall pick) in the 2004 NFL draft. He played for the Bengals for three seasons and part of a fourth, from to . He played in fifty-one games for the Bengals, and started in eight. His most productive season was in 2005, when he intercepted three passes and recovered a fumble. Ratliff was a key player in the 2005 Bengals turn around, helping Cincinnati end their losing drought, by securing their first winning season in 15 years, going (11–5), and capturing the 2005 AFC North Division Championship.

On September 26, 2007, the Bengals released him.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ratliff signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 12, 2007, but was waived on November 28, 2007.

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts claimed Ratliff off waivers on November 29, 2007. He saw limited play with the team in the 2007 and 2008 seasons until he was cut by the Colts on September 20, 2008. He was re-signed on October 8, 2008, but waived again on October 22. He was once again re-signed on October 30 after cornerback Marlin Jackson was placed on injured reserve.

On December 18, 2008, Ratliff scored his first NFL career touchdown in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars; he intercepted David Garrard and ran the ball 35 yards for the game-winning touchdown. That game would wind up clinching the playoffs for Indianapolis that year.

Pittsburgh Steelers

An unrestricted free agent in the 2009 offseason, Ratliff signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on May 1, 2009. He was released on November 24.

Cincinnati Bengals (second stint)

Ratliff was re-signed by the Bengals prior to the playoffs on January 4, 2010, after defensive tackle Pat Sims was placed on injured reserve. He was released on June 18.

Florida Tuskers

Ratliff was signed by the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League on September 1, 2010.

Cincinnati Bengals (third stint)

Ratliff was re-signed and added to the 53-man active roster on December 15, 2010. The signing was a result of the team's injuries in the secondary, and Ratliff was a free agent after playing for the Florida Tuskers in the UFL.

Virginia Destroyers

Ratliff was added to the Destroyers' roster on September 9, 2011. He was placed on the injured reserve list on October 11.

NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high

Regular season Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD 2004 CIN 16 5 39 29 10 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 3 0 0 2005 CIN 16 3 46 40 6 0.0 4 3 52 0 35 3 1 1 0 0 2006 CIN 16 0 19 14 5 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2007 CIN 3 0 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 IND 1 0 2 2 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2008 IND 13 4 32 27 5 0.0 1 2 37 1 35 5 0 1 0 0 2009 PIT 8 0 9 9 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2010 CIN 3 0 13 7 6 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 76 12 161 129 32 0.0 5 5 89 1 35 15 2 5 0 0

Playoffs Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD 2008 IND 1 0 6 5 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 6 5 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0