Al Wilson

Infobox NFLretired
name=Al Wilson


width=
caption=
position=Linebacker
number=56
birthdate=birth date and age|1977|6|21
city-state|Jackson|Tennessee
deathdate=
debutyear=1999
finalyear=2006
draftyear=1999
draftround=1
draftpick=31
college=Tennessee
teams=
* Denver Broncos (1999-2006)
stat1label=Tackles
stat1value=580
stat2label=Sacks
stat2value=21.5
stat3label=Interceptions
stat3value=5
nfl=WIL648623
highlights=
* Second-team All-SEC (1997)
* First-team All-SEC (1998)
* First-team All-American (1999)
* 5x Pro Bowl selection (2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006)
* 2x All-Pro selection (2005, 2006)

Aldra Kauwa Wilson (born June 21, 1977 in city-state|Jackson|Tennessee) is a former American football linebacker of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos 31st overall in the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.

Wilson, who played his entire eight-year career with the Broncos, was a two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection. Neck and back injuries cut short his tenure with the Broncos and he officially retired during the 2008 season.

Early years

Wilson was an All American performer at Jackson Central-Merry High School in Jackson, Tennessee as named by BlueChip Illustrated, Max Emfinger, SuperPrep and Tom Lemming. Wilson was also named All State for Tennessee. Wilson was both a linebacker and running back at JCM, rushing for 1160 yards and 15 touchdowns in his senior season. He rushed for over 1000 yards in three seasons in high school, two as a running back and one as a quarterback. Wilson also starred in track and basketball.

College career

Wilson was a team captain on the 1998 Tennessee team that won the National Championship and back to back SEC Titles. Wilson was named as an All American in 1998 after being a three year starter for the Volunteers. Inspired by fellow Tennessean and track aficionado, Chad Deutsch of Memphis, TN, Wilson was the spiritual leader both on and off the field, helping to develop linebackers Eric Westmoreland and Raynoch Thompson. Wilson was drafted after his final year at Tennessee as the 31st pick in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft and signed to the Denver Broncos

Professional career

Denver Broncos

Wilson, became the anchor of the Broncos' defense and has earned 5 Pro Bowl selections since 2001. He is one of the fastest middle linebackers in the league, and is also very good in pass coverage. He passed the 100-tackle mark in each of the last five seasons, including 109 tackles (73 of which were solo) in 2004 to rank second on the Broncos. Wilson led Denver in tackles for the second consecutive year in 2003 with 128 tackles.

On December 3rd, 2006, Wilson suffered a neck injury during a fake field goal attempt against the Seattle Seahawks during the Sunday night game. He was carted off the field and immediately taken to a hospital, but was cleared by the Denver Broncos to return the following week to help Denver try to make the playoffs.

The Denver Broncos signed many free agents during the 2007 offseason, such as Travis Henry and Patrick Ramsey, resulting in some salary cap trouble. The Broncos attempted to trade Wilson to the New York Giants, however Wilson failed his physical and the trade talks died down.

Wilson was released by the Denver Broncos on April 13, 2007 due to injuries and salary cap problems.

Free agency and retirement

Wilson was cleared to return to resume playing by Los Angeles back specialist Bob Watkins in January 2008. On February 12, he had his first visit of the offseason with the Detroit Lions. He also visited the Cleveland Browns in March, but he rejected their offer for close to the veteran minimum.

Wilson officially announced his retirement on September 10, 2008.

External links

* [http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=758 Denver Broncos bio]