23 TYRONE
CARTER
PRO (135-41/11-2):
Signed
a three-year deal with Pittsburgh during the 2007 offseason...originally signed
with the Steelers as a free agent on Oct. 20, 2004...signed with Minnesota prior
to the 2004 season but was released Sept. 10...played with the New York Jets in
2003, posting career-high numbers in tackles (95), interceptions (2) and starts
(10)...has played 135 career games with 41 starts during his eight-year
career...signed with the Jets as a free agent on April 14, 2003...was originally
selected by the Vikings with their second selection in the fourth round of the
2000 NFL Draft (118th overall).
2008
(16-2/3-0): Played all 16 regular-season games for the fourth consecutive
season...made two starts in place of the injured Ryan Clark...finished 17
tackles (11 solo), two pass defenses and one forced fumble...established a
career high with three interceptions for 64 yards and his first career
interception return for a touchdown in the regular-season finale against
Cleveland...his two interceptions against the Browns were a single-game
high...named AFC Defensive Player of the Week and GMC Sierra Defensive Player of
the Week for his performance against the Browns...made five tackles on special
teams...played in all three postseason games...had three solo tackles and two
tackles on special teams during the postseason... recorded his first career
postseason interception in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game
against Baltimore...9/7 vs. Houston: Played in his 49th straight game at
S...recorded two solo tackles...9/14 at Cleveland: Played in his 50th
consecutive game as a reserve at S...made one solo tackle on special
teams...9/21 at Philadelphia: Played in his 51st consecutive game as a
reserve S and was a contributor on special teams...9/29 vs. Baltimore:
Played in his 52nd consecutive game as a reserve S and was a contributor on
special teams...10/5 at Jacksonville: Played in his 53rd
consecutive game... had two tackles (one solo) on special teams...10/19
at Cincinnati: Played in his 54th consecutive game as a reserve at
S...saw significant playing time at SS in the fourth quarter after Troy Polamalu
left with a head injury... recorded one solo tackle on special
teams...10/26 vs. New York Giants: Played in his 55th consecutive
game...saw significant action as FS when Clark left with a shoulder
injury...recorded four tackles (two solo)...11/3 at Washington: Made his
40th career start at FS...finished with two solo tackles and one pass
defense...recorded his fifth career interception in the fourth quarter, which he
returned for 14 yards...11/9 vs. Indianapolis: Played in his 57th
consecutive game...had one assisted tackle and had one pass defense... 11/16
vs. San Diego: Played in his 58th consecutive game...had one solo
tackle...11/20 vs. Cincinnati: Played in his 130th career
game...contributed as a reserve at safety and on special teams...11/30 at
New England: Played in his 60th consecutive game as a contributor on
special teams...12/7 vs. Dallas: Played in his 61st consecutive game as a
reserve at safety and as a contributor on special teams...12/14 at
Baltimore: Played in his 62nd consecutive game as a reserve at safety and as
a contributor on special teams...12/21 at Tennessee: Played in his
63rd consecutive game as a contributor on special teams... saw action
at safety late in the fourth quarter after Clark left the game early with a
shoulder injury...had one solo tackle on special teams...12/28 vs.
Cleveland: Made his 41st career
start at FS in place of the injured Clark...recorded seven tackles (three solo)
and forced one fumble...had the first two-interception game of his
career...picked off Bruce Gradkowski in the third quarter and returned it 18
yards to the Cleveland 12- yard line, setting up a 22-yard field goal by Jeff
Reed... intercepted Gradkowski again in the fourth quarter and went 32 yards for
his first career touchdown... AFC Divisional Game 1/11 vs. San Diego:
Played in his seventh consecutive postseason game...recorded one solo
tackle...led the team with two solo tackles on special teams...AFC
Championship Game 1/18 vs. Baltimore: Played in his eighth
consecutive postseason game...recorded the first postseason interception of his
career late in the fourth quarter...had one pass defense...Super Bowl XLIII
2/1 vs. Arizona: Played in his ninth consecutive postseason game...had two
solo tackles.
2007
(16-5/1-1): Played all 16 games, making
five starts…started the AFC Wild Card Game against Jacksonville, recording five
tackles…established a career high with three forced fumbles…his 56 combined
tackles were the second-most of his career…had five special teams
tackles…recorded a career high with 12 tackles versus Miami…9/9 at Cleveland: Saw limited action at
safety…registered one special teams tackle…9/16 vs. Buffalo: Only saw play on
special teams and had one assisted tackle…9/23 vs. San Francisco: Played six
snaps on defense and logged two solo tackles…9/30 at Arizona: Saw 15 defensive
snaps, but did not register any defensive tackles…made one solo special teams
tackle…10/7 vs. Seattle: Was in on
19 defensive snaps and had six tackles (five solo) including a half-sack for a
loss of two yards on Matt Hasselbeck…posted one quarterback pressure…part of a
defensive unit that allowed only 144 total yards, 38 rushing yards, 106 passing
yards and only eight first downs…also had one special teams tackle…10/21 at Denver: Saw action on special
teams only and registered one tackle…10/28 at Cincinnati: Saw extensive
action at safety due to Ryan Clark being out…registered one tackle and caused
one fumble on a Kenny Watson rush at the end of the first quarter…11/5 vs. Baltimore: Saw extensive
action at safety in his 111th career game…registered two solo tackles
and one pass defensed…11/11 vs.
Cleveland: Played in his 41st consecutive game…saw 22 defensive
snaps and finished the game with one solo tackle…part of a defensive unit that
allowed only 163 total yards, including 40 rushing and 123 passing yards…11/18 at N.Y. Jets: Saw action on 35
defensive snaps at S…finished the game with four solo tackles and one
quarterback hit…11/26 vs. Miami:
Made his 35th career start at SS in place of an injured Troy
Polamalu…paced the team with 12 total tackles (11 solo)…part of a defense that
gave up only 159 total yards, including 49 rushing, 110 passing and only nine
first downs…12/2 vs. Cincinnati:
Made his second consecutive start at SS, while playing in his
115th career game…saw action in 69 defensive snaps and finished with
eight solo tackles, one quarterback hit and one pass defensed…12/9 at New England: Started his third
consecutive game at SS in place of injured Troy Polamalu…logged 55 defensive
snaps while finishing with four solo tackles and one forced fumble…12/16 vs. Jacksonville: Saw action in
his 46th consecutive game…finished with five tackles (four solo)…12/20 at St. Louis: Made his fourth
start of the season at FS…finished the game with three solo tackles…12/30 at Baltimore: Made his second
consecutive start at SS…finished with eight tackles (five solo) and caused his
third fumble on the season early in the third quarter…AFC WILD CARD 1/5/08 vs. Jacksonville:
Made his sixth consecutive playoff appearance, while starting at S and
finished the game with five tackles (four solo).
2006
(16/3): Made his
first three starts for Pittsburgh late in the season when S Troy Polamalu was
injured…finished with 42 tackles, the most in his three years with the
Steelers…also added a career-high two sacks and forced two fumbles…9/7 vs. Miami: Recorded three solo
tackles while logging 31 plays…9/18 at
Jacksonville: Saw action on defense, logging 12 plays…9/24 vs. Cincinnati: Recorded one solo
tackle while logging 14 plays…10/8 at
San Diego: Played on nine snaps…recorded one solo tackle, a sack of
quarterback Philip Rivers for a loss of seven yards…10/15 vs. Kansas City: Recorded one
tackle on 23 plays…also recorded two special teams tackles (one solo)…10/22 at Atlanta: Recorded the team's
only sack for a loss of six yards…logged 13 plays…10/29 at Oakland: Logged eight
defensive plays but did not record a tackle…11/5 vs. Denver: Logged eight defensive
snaps and recorded one solo tackle…played on special teams…11/12 vs. New Orleans: Saw extensive
action after Troy Polamalu left the game with a concussion and did not
return…logged 67 plays and recorded six solo tackles…also forced two fumbles,
the first forced fumbles of his career…11/19 at Cleveland: Logged 22 snaps on
defense and recorded two tackles (one solo)…added one solo special teams
tackle…11/26 at Baltimore: Logged 28
plays and recorded two tackles (one solo)…12/3 vs. Tampa Bay: Started at SS for
the injured Troy Polamalu, his first start as a Steeler…logged 67 plays and
recorded seven tackles (five solo)…tackled Carnell Williams for a loss of three
yards…12/7 vs. Cleveland: Started at
SS for the injured Troy Polamalu…logged 49 snaps and recorded eight tackles (six
solo)…played his 100th career game…12/17 at Carolina: Started at SS for
the injured Troy Polamalu…collected five tackles (four solo) in 52 plays…12/24 vs. Baltimore: Collected two
tackles (one solo) and one special teams tackle…12/31 at Cincinnati: Posted two solo
tackles while logging 17 plays.
2005
(16-0/4-0): Played in all 16 regular-season games
as a reserve safety and on special teams…tallied 10 defensive tackles (nine
solo) and 18 special teams tackles…played in every playoff game…9/11
vs. Tennessee: Saw action as a reserve and on special teams…recorded two
special teams tackles (one solo)…9/18 at Houston: Saw action on
special teams and made two special teams tackles (one solo)…played three snaps
on defense…9/25 vs. New England: Contributed on special teams,
recording an assisted tackle…10/10 at San Diego: Saw action on
special teams…forced and recovered Darren Sproles' fumble during a kickoff
return to end the game…finished with two special teams tackles…10/16 vs. Jacksonville: Saw action on special teams…10/23 at Cincinnati: Logged 11 defensive snaps and
registered one solo tackle and a quarterback hurry/pressure…also added a solo
special teams tackle…10/31 vs. Baltimore: Logged 16 plays as a free safety and
on special teams…finished with one solo tackle on defense…11/6
at Green Bay: Logged 16
plays and recorded three solo tackles…intercepted a Brett Favre pass intended
for Donald Driver, his first interception as a Steeler and the fourth of his
career…also had a special teams tackle…11/13 vs. Cleveland: Logged 28 plays and recorded two
tackles (one solo) and a pass defense…11/20 at Baltimore: Played 17 snaps and made a crucial
sack on third down of the Ravens final drive of regulation…also registered one
solo special teams tackle…11/28 at Indianapolis: Saw action as
a reserve and on special teams…recorded one defensive tackle while logging 26
plays…12/4 vs. Cincinnati: Logged 10
plays…had two special teams tackles (one solo)…12/11 vs. Chicago: Played 22 snaps...recorded one solo
special teams tackle…12/18 at Minnesota: Logged 20 snaps on defense but did not
record a tackle…had one solo special teams tackle…12/24 at Cleveland: Logged 28 plays and recorded one solo
tackle and a pass defense…also had two special teams tackles…1/1
vs. Detroit: Logged 16 snaps…saw action on special teams and recorded
two special teams tackles (one solo)…AFC Wild Card Game 1/8 at
Cincinnati: Played as a reserve defensive back and on special teams…led
team with seven solo tackles on defense and had one tackle for a loss…AFC
Divisional Game 1/15 at Indianapolis: Recorded four solo tackles and played
on special teams…AFC Championship Game 1/22 at
Denver: Made three solo tackles on defense and defended one pass…Super Bowl XL 2/5 vs. Seattle: Had three tackles (two solo) and one
pass defense…played on special teams.
2004
(9-0/1-0):
12/5 at Jacksonville: Was credited with one special teams
assist...12/12 vs. N.Y. Jets:
Was credited with one special teams tackle...12/26 vs. Baltimore: Was credited with two solo special
teams tackles...1/2 at
Buffalo: Finished with
three total tackles, all solo…played 27 defensive snaps…AFC
Championship Game 1/23 vs. New
England:
Was active for his first postseason game with the Steelers, playing
exclusively on special teams.
2003
(16-10):
Played
in all 16 games and stepped in for an injured Jon McGraw to start a career-high
10 games at FS…set career highs with 95 tackles and two interceptions…also tied
a career high with 13 special teams tackles and added five passes defensed…9/4 at Washington: Saw extensive
time in season opener following an injury to McGraw and recorded eight tackles
on defense and two more on special teams…11/2 vs. New York Giants: Posted a career-high 11
tackles along with a pass defensed…11/9 at Oakland: Tied his career high with 11
tackles the following week…11/23 vs.
Jacksonville:
Registered nine tackles…12/1 vs. Tennessee: Posted eight tackles and
picked off Steve McNair in the Jets' win on Monday Night Football…12/7 at Buffalo: Tied his
career high again with 11 tackles…12/20 vs. New England: Picked off a pass thrown by WR
David Givens and added four tackles, a pass defensed, and two special teams
tackles…12/28 at Miami: Recorded eight tackles and a
pass defense in season finale.
2002 (16-7):
Played
in all 16 contests with seven starts…posted career highs in tackles (50), passes
defensed (8) and special teams tackles (13)…9/15 vs. Buffalo: Made first career start at
CB and posted seven tackles and a pass defensed…9/22 vs. Carolina: Started at RCB and recorded
the first interception of his career when he picked off Panthers' QB Rodney
Peete in the second quarter…9/29 at
Seattle: Started
at SS and recorded five tackles and a quarterback hurry…11/17 vs. Green Bay: Registered a career-high
three passes defensed and six tackles…12/1 vs. Atlanta: Took over kick returning
duties and returned five kicks for 111 yards (22.2 avg.) with a long of 34…12/8 at Green Bay: Posted a career-high three
tackles on special teams.
2001
(15-7):
Started seven games and saw action in 15 on the season...had six starts at FS
and the other as an extra DB when the team opened in the dime package...10/7 at New Orleans: Started as an extra DB...had
a pair of passes defensed...11/19 vs.
N.Y. Giants:
Started at FS...had first career sack when he caught Kerry Collins on
Monday Night Football...11/25 vs.
Chicago: Notched
seven tackles...12/2 at
Pittsburgh: Had
season-high eight tackles...12/16 at
Detroit:
Recovered second career fumble and returned it 47 yards for a
touchdown.
2000
15-7/2-1):
Played in 15 games with seven starts during his rookie campaign…earned first NFL
start on the national stage when he stepped in for an injured Orlando Thomas at
FS in Monday Night Football game at Green Bay (11/6)…went on to start the next
six straight games…played in both postseason games and started NFC Championship
game at NY Giants (1/14/01)...started the season as the team's primary kickoff
return man, setting a season high with six returns for 134 yards (22.3 avg.)
with a long of 29 vs. Tampa Bay (10/9) on Monday Night Football and also forced
first career fumble on special teams coverage in the game…9/3 vs. Chicago: Officially began the 2000
season by returning the opening kickoff of the season-opener for 21
yards…finished the game with five returns for 124 yards (24.8 avg.) and had a
career-high 38-yard long, which tied for the Vikings' season long kickoff return
(Troy Walters)…10/29 at Tampa
Bay: Saw first
significant time on defense when Orlando Thomas left the game with a scapula
injury and went on to post three tackles...11/6 at Green Bay: Had season-high eight
tackles (six solo) on Monday Night Football…11/12 vs. Arizona: Forced a fumble on the
Cardinals' Michael Pittman to stop Arizona's drive and had five tackles…11/30 vs. Detroit: Recovered first career
fumble and had three tackles…12/17
vs. Green Bay:
Posted seven tackles…1/14
at N.Y. Giants:
Tied regular-season high with eight tackles (seven solo) and had a
pass defensed in NFC Championship game.
COLLEGE:
Was the first Gopher to earn consecutive All-American honors since Bobby Bell in
1961-62...was twice named the winner of the Carl Eller Award as the Gophers
Defensive Player of the Year...holds the school career records with 528 total
tackles (414 solo)…his 528 career tackles are the most ever by a DB in NCAA
Division 1-A, topping 481 by Mike Staid of Tulane (1991-94)…his 414 solo tackles
set a Division 1-A career record for all positions, surpassing the previous of
401 mark set by Greg Garnica of Ball St. (1986-89). 1999: Was a consensus All-American as a
senior…recipient of the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top DB…finalist
for the Bronko Nagurski Award, given to the nation's premier defensive player.
1998: Named to Football News and The
Sports Network First-team All-America teams, adding second-team honors from
Associated Press and Third-team from The Sporting News...First-team All-Big Ten selection by both coaches and media…semi-finalist for both the Jim
Thorpe Award and The Football News National Defensive Player of the Year
Award…named team's most valuable player…Majored in
sociology.
PERSONAL: Graduate
of Ely High in Pompano Beach, Florida...Miami Sun-Sentinel
All-County defensive first-team choice as a senior...also received Miami
Herald All-County offensive first team honors as a RB, gaining 1,349
yards... scored 23 TDs his senior year, including kickoff returns of 90, 95 and
97 yards...team MVP in both football and basketball...attended same high school
as former NFL LB Henri Crockett...served as the Vikings’ spokesman for the Boy
Scouts in 2001...he and wife, April, have four children, three sons, Tyrone, Jr.
(14), Tyron (10), Tristan (8) and one daughter, Tyra (2)...son of Sarah and Tony
Carter...Full name: Tyrone Carter.
