College career

Wilson attended North Carolina State University, where he was a two-year starter at strong safety for the NC State Wolfpack football team. In 33 games (and 23 starts) with the Wolfpack, he posted 254 total tackles (144 solo tackles, 11 tackles-for-losses), 11 pass deflections and 3 passes intercepted. His 248 total tackles was the most by an N.C. State defensive back since James Walker collected 289 stops from 1993-95. At the end of his junior year, Wilson decided to forgo his senior season and enter the 2001 NFL Draft.

Professional career

2001 NFL Draft

At 213 pounds, Wilson ran a 4.45 sec 40-yard dash at the 2001 pre-draft combine and was considered a second-round prospect. He also has a standing vertical leap of 42 inches, and he was shown in a YouTube video jumping over a 66 inch hurdle. He was selected with the second pick in the third round (64th overall) by the Arizona Cardinals.

Arizona Cardinals

In 2006, Wilson set the team record for longest interception return after scoring on a 99-yard return against the Atlanta Falcons. Later in the season, he earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl. In his career, he has recorded 893 tackles, 54.0 tackles for a loss, 25.5 sacks, 27 interceptions, 14 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries, 82 passes defended, 4 return touchdowns, and a blocked punt. During the 2005 season, he set an NFL record for the most sacks in a season by a defensive back with eight. During the playoffs in 2009, he helped lead the Cardinals to its first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII 27-23.

On June 4, 2009, the Cardinals re-signed Wilson to a new five-year, $39 million contract, with $18.5 million guaranteed. On December 26, Wilson recorded a sack against the St. Louis Rams which put him in the 20/20 club (20 sacks and 20 interceptions).

On December 16, 2012, Wilson recorded a sack against the Detroit Lions which put him in the 25/25 club (25 sacks and 25 interceptions). Wilson became just the sixth player in NFL history to do this.

Wilson was released by the Cardinals on March 8, 2013.

New England Patriots

On March 15, 2013, Wilson signed with the New England Patriots to a 3-year deal. Right after he joined the team, he offered Kyle Arrington a year's supply of diapers for Arrington's newborn baby to have his jersey number 24, the number Wilson had in Arizona. On May 1st, 2013, Wilson received the #24 jersey from Kyle Arrington. Kyle Arrington was reassigned to #25.

On August 31, 2013, the New England Patriots placed Wilson on the season-ending injury reserve due to an Achilles tendon injury. He was released by the Patriots on April 4, 2014.

Chicago Bears

On June 23, 2014 Wilson signed with the Chicago Bears to a one-year deal, however on August 23 he was released.

Retirement

On April 20, 2015, Wilson signed a one-day contract with the Arizona Cardinals and announced his retirement from the National Football League.

NFL records

• Most sacks in a single season by a defensive back (8 in 2005)

Cardinals franchise records

• Most career forced fumbles (15)
• 2nd longest interception return touchdown: 99 (tied with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie)
• Most passes defended (95)

Career Statistics

Year	Team	Games	Combine Tackles	Total Tackles	Assisted Tackles	Sacks	Forced Fumbles	Fumble Recoveries	Fumble Yards	Interceptions	Interception Yards	Average Interception Returns	Longest Interception Return	Interception Touchdowns	Pass Defended	Stuffs	Stuff Yards	Kick Blocks
2001	ARI	16	32	24	8	0.5	0	0	0	2	97	49	61	1	8	2	0	0
2002	ARI	14	91	65	26	1.5	1	0	0	4	35	9	35	0	5	2	0	0
2003	ARI	16	77	68	9	0.0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	1	0	1
2004	ARI	16	102	80	22	1.0	1	2	0	3	62	21	27	0	11	11	0	0
2005	ARI	16	109	93	16	8.0	1	2	0	1	36	36	36	0	9	7	0	0
2006	ARI	16	83	75	8	5.0	4	2	0	4	146	37	99	1	11	7	15	0
2007	ARI	9	44	33	11	0.0	0	0	0	2	20	10	20	0	3	4	15	0
2008	ARI	15	75	60	15	2.5	2	0	0	2	37	19	28	0	5	5	14	0
2009	ARI	16	74	61	13	2.0	1	2	11	5	56	11	41	0	13	10	20	0
2010	ARI	16	88	76	12	2.0	0	0	0	2	4	2	4	0	9	4	11	1
2011	ARI	16	65	48	17	0.0	1	0	0	1	17	17	17	0	14	8	22	0
2012	ARI	15	54	39	15	3.0	1	0	0	1	-2	-2	-2	0	5	2	7	1
Total	Total	181	894	722	172	25.5	14	8	0	27	508	19	99	2	101	63	104	3

Personal

Wilson attended T. Wingate Andrews High School in High Point, North Carolina. Wilson is married to wife Alicia Wilson, with three children, one which was born shortly after the Arizona Cardinals loss to the New Orleans Saints in the 2009 Divisional Round. He owns a designer shoe store in Arizona called High Point.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]