Ernest Wilford

Infobox NFLactive


name=Ernest Wilford
currentteam=Miami Dolphins
currentnumber=18
currentposition=Wide receiver
birthdate=birth date and age|1979|1|14
birthplace=Richmond, Virginia
heightft=6
heightin=4
weight=225
debutyear=2004
debutteam=Jacksonville Jaguars
college=Virginia Tech
draftyear=2004
draftround=4
draftpick=120
pastteams=
* Jacksonville Jaguars (2004-2007)
* Miami Dolphins (2008-present)
status=Active
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Receptions
statvalue1=141
statlabel2=Receiving yards
statvalue2=1,994
statlabel3=Receiving average
statvalue3=14.1
statlabel4=Receiving touchdowns
statvalue4=14
nfl=WIL057148

Ernest Lee Wilford, Jr. (born January 14, 1979 in city-state|Richmond|Virginia) is an American football wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia Tech.

Early years

Wilford graduated from Fork Union Military Academy and played football for Armstrong High School (Richmond, Virginia).

College career

The most remembered moment of his college career occurred in the final game of the 2001 regular season against the University of Miami. The Hokies were down 26-10 midway through the fourth quarter, and it appeared that they had no chance of derailing the then No. 1 ranked and undefeated Hurricanes. They had dominated everyone they had played except for Boston College, and they had won that game 18-7. However, the Hokies started a comeback. They scored a touchdown and subsequently converted a two-point conversion, making the score 26-18. They got the ball back one more time, and scored another touchdown. The second two-point play looked like a success; Ernest Wilford was wide open in the end zone, waiting for the ball. After Grant Noel tossed it to him, the entire Lane Stadium crowd erupted in cheers, as it appeared as though Wilford had caught the ball. However, a few seconds later, the ball was seen rolling away from the play; the final score was 26-24. The Hurricanes went on to rout the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the BCS National Championship Game in the Rose Bowl.

Professional career

Wilford spent the first 4 years of his NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars. During his time there, he was known for being a strong leader in the community. Arguably his best season as a Jaguar was in 2007, where he consistently proved to be a reliable third down target, and placed first on the team with a career high 45 receptions. His efforts in the 2007 season were enough to increase his value on the free agent market, and on February 29, 2008, he signed with the Miami Dolphins. The deal was worth $13m over four years, and included a $6m signing bonus.

External links

* [http://www.ernestwilford19.com Official Website]
* [http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/team/roster/playerBio.asp?docid=33175 Miami Dolphins bio]