Early years

Born in Rutherford, New Jersey, Wootton played high school football at Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, New Jersey.

College career

Wootton chose Northwestern over Connecticut, Louisville and N.C. State. During his Freshman season, Wootton got a medical hardship year for 2005 and only played in three of first four games before being sidelined the remainder of the year with a neck injury. In 2006, he was the first Northwestern player since Hudhaifa Ismaeli (1995) to accomplish every major defensive statistic in a single season and the team's seventh-leading tackler and leader in sacks and leader in Tackles for loss. At the end of the season, Wootton earned a Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Freshman All-American selection and was named to the Sporting News Freshman All-Big Ten team.

In 2007, Wootton finished second on the team with 7.0 Tackles for loss and five pass deflections and second among defensive linemen with 39 tackles.

Professional career

Chicago Bears

Wootton entered the 2010 NFL Draft and was selected 109th overall in the 4th round by the Chicago Bears. During a game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 20, 2010, Wootton recorded his first career sack where he brought down quarterback Brett Favre. The sack forced Favre to leave the game due to a concussion. The concussion eventually sidelined Favre for the remaining two games of his final season in the NFL. In Week 9 of 2012 against the Tennessee Titans, Wootton scored his first career touchdown off a blocked punt, which had been blocked by former Northwestern teammate Sherrick McManis. Wootton ended the 2012 season appearing in all 16 games with seven starts and seven sacks.

In 2013, after injuries sustained to Henry Melton and Nate Collins, Wootton was shifted to defensive tackle in week five against the New Orleans Saints.

Minnesota Vikings

On March 20, 2014, it was reported Wootton had signed a one year deal with the Minnesota Vikings.

Detroit Lions

On May 14, 2015, Wootton signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]