Blake Countess
{{Short description|American football player (born 1993)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Blake Countess
| image = Blake Countess (7769084700) (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Countess with the Michigan Wolverines in 2012
| current_team =
| number = 24, 32, 33, 36, 26
| position = Cornerback
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|8|8|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Owings Mills, Maryland, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 10
| weight_lbs = 185
| high_school = Our Lady of Good Counsel
(Olney, Maryland)
| college = Michigan (2011–2014)
Auburn (2015)
| draftyear = 2016
| draftround = 6
| draftpick = 196
| pastteams =
- Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|2016}})*
- Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|2016}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
- Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|2019}})*
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2019}})
- Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|2020}})
- Baltimore Ravens ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
- Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|2021}})
- New Jersey Generals ({{USFL Year|2023}})
| status =
| highlights =
- Super Bowl champion (LVI)
- First-team All-Big Ten (2013)
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 57
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 1.0
| statlabel3 = Pass deflections
| statvalue3 = 3
| statlabel4 = Interceptions
| statvalue4 = 2
| statlabel5 = Total touchdowns
| statvalue5 = 2
| pfr = CounBl00
}}
Blake Countess (born August 8, 1993) is an American former professional football cornerback. He played college football for Michigan, using three years of eligibility between 2011 and 2014. He was an All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection in 2013 after missing most of 2012 due to injury. His 2014 season was less successful and he used his final year of eligibility as a graduate transfer at Auburn in 2015. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft.
Early life
Countess attended Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Maryland.{{Cite web |title=All Americans |url=https://www.olgchs.org/football/history/all-americans |access-date=October 8, 2018 |website=Our Lady of Good Counsel High School |language=en-US}} As a junior in 2009, he totaled over 50 tackles and 20 pass break-ups. In May 2010, he was nominated to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl high school football all-star game.{{Cite news |last=Barr |first=Josh |date=May 3, 2010 |title=Three locals nominated for U.S. Army bowl |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/recruitinginsider/2010/05/three_locals_nominated_for_us.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015025844/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/recruitinginsider/2010/05/three_locals_nominated_for_us.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 15, 2012}} As a senior in 2010, Countess averaged 14.7 yards per catch, 35 yards per kickoff return, and 22.9 yards per punt return for Good Counsel.{{Cite news |date=February 2, 2011 |title=Good Counsel defensive back Blake Countess signs with Michigan |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/recruitinginsider/2011/02/national_signing_day_2011_good.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015025952/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/recruitinginsider/2011/02/national_signing_day_2011_good.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 15, 2012}} Countess played both offense and defense for Good Counsel. His high school coach Bob Milloy noted: "What you're going to get from him is he's a lockdown corner, started both ways for me, and if you don't keep an eye on him, he'll run a punt or kickoff back. He's a very reliable, dependable kid, a good character person ... a good, solid citizen, great kid, and good football player."
During the 2010 recruiting season, Countess was pursued by many top collegiate football programs including Notre Dame, Stanford, Penn State, Michigan, Tennessee, Arkansas, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Pitt, Georgia Tech, Purdue, Maryland, Cincinnati, Louisville, Duke, Illinois, Virginia, and Wake Forest.{{Cite news |last=Guimaraes |first=Eric |date=April 8, 2010 |title=Countess hearing from both Tigers and Gamecocks |work=Spartanburg Herald-Journal}}{{Cite news |last=Barr |first=Josh |date=October 8, 2010 |title=Good Counsel DB Blake Countess plans visits to Ga. Tech, U-Md. |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/recruitinginsider/2010/10/good_counsel_db_blake_countess.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015030005/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/recruitinginsider/2010/10/good_counsel_db_blake_countess.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 15, 2012}}{{Cite news |last=Skopil |first=Erik |date=June 4, 2010 |title=Blake Countess Still Exploring His Options |publisher=GoJackets.com |url=http://oregon.scout.com/a.z?s=128&p=2&c=974781&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2foregon.scout.com%2f2%2f974781.html}}{{Cite news |last=Skopil |first=Erik |date=May 17, 2010 |title=Countess Gaining lots of Attention |publisher=Fighting Gators.com |url=http://oregon.scout.com/a.z?s=128&p=2&c=970683&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2foregon.scout.com%2f2%2f970683.html}}
In early December 2010, Countess was selected as an Army All-American.{{Cite news |date=December 9, 2010 |title=Army All-American Bowl breakdown |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/news/story?id=5899516}} At the U.S. Army All-American Bowl played on January 8, 2011, Countess did not allow a single pass completion to any receiver he covered, and the opposing quarterbacks chose not to throw many passes in his direction.{{Cite news |last=Cunningham |first=Pete |date=January 17, 2011 |title=Michigan football cornerback recruit Blake Countess committed to the school, not necessarily the coach |publisher=AnnArbor.com |url=http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/maryland-recruit-committed-to-the-school-not-necessarily-the-coach/}}
{{College athlete recruit start|40=yes|collapse=no|year=2011}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = Blake Countess
| position = DB
| hometown = Olney, Maryland
| highschool = Our Lady of Good Counsel H.S.
| feet = 5
| inches = 10
| weight = 172.5
| 40 = 4.475
| commitdate = 2010-12-17
| scout stars = 4
| rivals stars = 4
| espn grade = 80
}}
{{College athlete recruit end
| year = 2011
| rivals ref title = Michigan Football Commitments
| scout ref title = 2011 Michigan Football Commits
| espn ref title = ESPN
| rivals school = michigan
| scout s = 162
| espn schoolid = 130
| scout overall = 20 (CB)
| rivals overall = 133, 10 (CB), 3 (MD)
| espn overall = 14 (CB)
| access-date = July 3, 2011
}}
On December 17, 2010, Countess announced his verbal commitment to attend the University of Michigan.{{Cite news |last=Bracken |first=Matt |date=December 19, 2010 |title=COUNTESS HEADED TO MICHIGAN: ARKANSAS, GEORGIA TECH, MARYLAND, N.C. STATE LOSE GOOD COUNSEL CORNERBACK |work=The Sun, Baltimore, Md. |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/2223063651.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+19%2C+2010&author=Matt+Bracken&pub=The+Sun&desc=COUNTESS+HEADED+TO+MICHIGAN |access-date=July 5, 2017 |archive-date=November 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107084457/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/2223063651.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+19,+2010&author=Matt+Bracken&pub=The+Sun&desc=COUNTESS+HEADED+TO+MICHIGAN |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news |date=December 17, 2010 |title=Countess Unshakably Blue |publisher=GoBlueWolverine.com |url=http://tennessee.scout.com/a.z?s=7&p=2&c=1032075&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2ftennessee.scout.com%2f2%2f1032075.html}} He noted that, after visiting Ann Arbor, he "fell in love with Ann Arbor, the coaches, the school, the football legacy, the Big House, and it's just where I felt at home."{{Cite web |date=January 2011 |title=US Army All-American Bowl Blake Countess |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J55WPIspNdc |publisher=YouTube}} He was regarded as the top prospect in Michigan's 2011 recruiting class.{{Cite news |last=Newberg |first=Jamie |date=January 25, 2011 |title=Buckeyes lead Big Ten again |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/news/story?id=6056789}} ESPN.com called him "a natural cover guy with good size and speed," and noted that he has "all the tools to be an outstanding player in college." Three weeks after Countess committed to Michigan, the school's head coach Rich Rodriguez was fired. After the firing, Countess's high school coach noted that the move was unlikely to effect Countess's commitment. He noted that Countess was aware of rumors about Rodriguez being fired before giving his commitment and noted, "He said he picked Michigan because of the school." He signed his letter of intent with Michigan in February 2011.
College career
File:CAF8014 (11158246293).jpg
After a highly successful high school football career at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, Countess accepted a football scholarship from the University of Michigan where he played from 2011 to 2014. After graduating, he would decide to transfer to Auburn University to play out his final year of NCAA eligibility as a redshirt senior.
=Michigan=
Countess saw his first substantial playing time for the 2011 Michigan Wolverines football team in the fourth quarter of a 28–7 victory over San Diego State on September 24, 2011.{{Cite news |last=Baumgardner |first=Nick |date=September 24, 2011 |title=With Troy Woolfolk on the sidelines, freshman Blake Countess shines in Michigan win |work=AnnArbor.com |url=http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/with-troy-woolfolk-on-the-sidelines-freshman-cb-blake-countess-shines-in-michigan-win/}} In less than one quarter, Countess accumulated seven tackles and broke up a pass in the endzone from quarterback Ryan Lindley. After the game, Michigan lineman Ryan Van Bergen noted that Countess has "a swagger about him."{{Cite news |last=Chengelis |first=Angelique S. |date=September 24, 2011 |title=Freshman Blake Countess impressive in Michigan's secondary |work=The Detroit News |url=http://detnews.com/article/20110924/SPORTS0201/109240404/1131/sports0201/Freshman-Blake-Countess-impressive-in-Michigan%E2%80%99s-secondary}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite news |last=Raftery |first=Kevin |date=September 24, 2011 |title=Notebook: SDSU gives 'tribute' to departed coaches, freshman Countess steps up for injured Woolfolk |work=The Michigan Daily |url=http://www.michigandaily.com/sports/notebook-sdsu-gives-tribute-departed-coaches-freshman-countess-steps-injured-woolfolk}} The following week, Countess again drew praise for forcing a fumble and leading the team in tackles in a 58–0 win over Minnesota. He received the Next Level Player of the Week award from Matt Bracken of The Baltimore Sun.{{Cite news |last=Bracken |first=Matt |date=October 3, 2011 |title=The Next Level: Countess steps up for Michigan |work=The Baltimore Sun |url=http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/recruiting/2011/10/the_next_level_countess_steps_up_for_michigan.html |access-date=October 17, 2011}} For the season, he earned 2011 Big Ten Conference All-Freshman team recognition from ESPN.com and BTN.com as well as 2011 TSN first-team All-Freshman and College Football News All-Freshman honorable mention honors.{{Cite web |date=December 13, 2011 |title=Early impact: These freshmen were at the head of their class |url=http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2011-12-13/sporting-news-freshmen-all-americans-sammy-watkins-marqise-lee |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705001104/http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2011-12-13/sporting-news-freshmen-all-americans-sammy-watkins-marqise-lee |archive-date=July 5, 2012 |access-date=December 3, 2012 |website=Sporting News}}{{Cite web |last=Rittenberg, Adam and Brian Bennett |date=December 13, 2011 |title=ESPN.com's Big Ten All-Freshman team |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/41139/espn-coms-big-ten-all-freshman-team-2 |access-date=January 5, 2012 |publisher=ESPN}}{{Cite web |last=Dienhart, Tom |date=December 12, 2011 |title=BTN.com's 2011 Big Ten All-Freshman Team |url=http://btn.com/2011/12/12/btn-coms-2011-big-ten-all-freshman-team/ |access-date=January 5, 2012 |publisher=Big Ten Network}}{{Cite web |last=Cirminiello, Richard |date=December 9, 2011 |title=2011 CFN All-Freshman Defensive Team |url=http://cfn.scout.com/2/1137274.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107185848/http://cfn.scout.com/2/1137274.html |archive-date=January 7, 2012 |access-date=January 5, 2012 |website=College Football News |publisher=Scout.com}}
Countess injured his anterior cruciate ligament in the season opener for the 2012 Michigan Wolverines football team against Alabama.{{Cite web |last=Birkett |first=Dave |date=April 24, 2016 |title=NFL draft: Ex-Michigan DB Blake Countess takes winding path to pros |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/04/24/blake-countess-michigan-wolverines-auburn-tigers-nfl-draft/83483076/ |access-date=November 30, 2017 |website=Detroit Free Press}} He returned as a redshirt sophomore to be a 2013 All-Big Ten first-team selection by the media and second-team selection the coaches.{{Cite web |date=December 2, 2013 |title=Lewan, Funchess Earn Top Big Ten Position Awards |url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120213aaa.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207103422/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120213aaa.html |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |access-date=December 10, 2013 |website=MGoBlue.com |publisher=CBS Interactive}} However, the following year as a redshirt junior he only received honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition from the media.{{Cite web |last=Satterfield |first=Derek |date=December 1, 2014 |title=Led By Ryan, Seven Wolverines Earn Big Ten Honors |url=http://www.mgoblue.com/news/2014/12/1/Led_By_Ryan_Seven_Wolverines_Earn_Big_Ten_Honors.aspx?path=football |access-date=November 30, 2017 |website=MGoBlue.com |publisher=CBS Interactive}}
=Auburn=
On May 13, 2015, Countess announced his decision to transfer from Michigan.{{Cite web |last=Manzullo, Brian |date=May 13, 2015 |title=Blake Countess says he's transferring from U-M |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2015/05/13/michigan-football-blake-countess/27248755/ |access-date=November 30, 2017 |website=Detroit Free Press}} After a brief recruiting process with various different schools, on May 26 he announced he would be a graduate transfer for the 2015 Auburn Tigers football team,{{Cite web |last=Scarborough, Alex |date=May 26, 2017 |title=Blake Countess to transfer to Auburn |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/12954137/blake-countess-transfers-auburn-tigers |access-date=November 30, 2017 |publisher=ESPN}} and his enrollment was official by May 28. He had also been recruited by Arizona, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.{{Cite web |last=Marcello |first=Brandon |date=May 28, 2017 |title=Michigan transfer Blake Countess 'has chance to be phenomenal player' at Auburn |url=http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2015/05/michigan_transfer_blake_counte.html |access-date=November 30, 2017 |website=AL.com}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 9¾
| weight = 184
| dash = 4.53
| ten split = 1.46
| twenty split = 2.56
| shuttle = 4.15
| cone drill = 6.82
| vertical = 36.5
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 1
| bench = 21
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 28¾
| hand span = 8½
| note = All values from Auburn's Pro Day{{Cite web |title=Blake Countess, Auburn, CB, 2016 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=119492&DraftYear=2016 |access-date=May 2, 2018 |website=draftscout.com}}
}}
=Philadelphia Eagles (first stint)=
File:03 Jan 2021 - Eagles WashingtonFootball0071 (50808441977) (cropped).jpg
Countess was selected by the Eagles in the sixth round, 196th overall, in the 2016 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2016 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2016/draft.htm |access-date=2019-02-25 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} On September 3, 2016, he was released by the Eagles.{{Cite web |last=McPherson |first=Chris |date=September 3, 2016 |title=Eagles Trim Roster to 53 Players |url=http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Eagles-Trim-Roster-to-53-Players/d944f9aa-c29e-4e64-8fcc-0016e13dcdec |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827043215/http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Eagles-Trim-Roster-to-53-Players/d944f9aa-c29e-4e64-8fcc-0016e13dcdec |archive-date=August 27, 2017 |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}}
=Los Angeles Rams (first stint)=
On September 6, 2016, Countess was signed to the practice squad of the Los Angeles Rams.{{Cite web |date=September 6, 2016 |title=Rams Sign Three to Complete Practice Squad |url=http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Rams-Sign-Three-to-Complete-Practice-Squad/f5b36432-8d52-4ff1-a8ab-c779f937087f |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017202054/http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Rams-Sign-Three-to-Complete-Practice-Squad/f5b36432-8d52-4ff1-a8ab-c779f937087f |archive-date=October 17, 2017 |access-date=November 18, 2016 |website=TheRams.com}} He was promoted to the Rams' active roster on November 18, 2016.{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2016 |title=Rams Promote DB Blake Countess To Active Roster, Place WR Nelson Spruce On I.R. |url=http://nfltraderumors.co/rams-promote-db-blake-countess-active-roster-place-wr-nelson-spruce-r/}}
In Week 3 of the 2018 season, Countess returned two kicks for 51 yards and recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown in a 35–23 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, earning him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.{{Cite web |last=Bergman, Jeremy |date=September 26, 2018 |title=Big Ben, Drew Brees among NFL Players of the Week |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/big-ben-drew-brees-among-nfl-players-of-the-week-0ap3000000966754 |website=NFL.com}}
On March 12, 2019, the Rams tendered Countess as a restricted free agent.{{Cite web |last=Simmons, Myles |date=March 12, 2019 |title=Rams tender restricted free agents, exclusive rights free agents |url=https://www.therams.com/news/rams-tender-restricted-free-agents-exclusive-rights-free-agents |website=TheRams.com}}
On May 2, 2019, the Rams waived Countess.{{Cite web |last=Bouda, Nate |date=May 2, 2019 |title=Rams WAiving S Blake Countess |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/rams-waiving-s-blake-countess/}}
=Philadelphia Eagles (second stint)=
On May 3, 2019, Countess was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles.{{Cite web |last=McPherson |first=Chris |date=May 3, 2019 |title=Eagles claim former draft pick Blake Countess off waivers |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-claim-former-draft-pick-blake-countess-off-waivers |access-date=2019-07-01 |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}} He was waived on August 13, 2019.{{Cite web |date=August 13, 2019 |title=Eagles' waive S Blake Countess; sign DT Aziz Shittu |url=https://theeagleswire.usatoday.com/2019/08/13/eagles-waive-s-blake-countess-sign-dt-aziz-shittu/ |website=Eagles Wire |publisher=USA Today}}
=New York Jets=
On October 15, 2019, Countess was signed by the New York Jets.{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=August 15, 2019 |title=Jets sign Blake Countess |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/15/jets-sign-blake-countess/amp/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Pro Football Talk |publisher=NBC Sports |archive-date=October 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015215915/https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/15/jets-sign-blake-countess/amp/ |url-status=dead }}
On March 11, 2020, Countess was released by the Jets.{{cite web | last=Williams | first=Charean | title=Jets release defensive back Blake Countess | website=NBC Sports | date=2020-03-11 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/jets-release-defensive-back-blake-countess | access-date=2025-01-08}}
=Philadelphia Eagles (third stint)=
On December 16, 2020, Countess was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad.{{Cite web |last=McPherson, Chris |date=December 16, 2020 |title=Eagles promote DB Elijah Riley from the practice squad; sign S Blake Countess to the practice squad |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-promote-db-elijah-riley-from-the-practice-squad |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}} He was elevated to the active roster on December 19 and January 2, 2021, for the team's weeks 15 and 17 games against the Arizona Cardinals and Washington Football Team, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.{{Cite news |last=McPherson, Chris |date=December 19, 2020 |title=Roster Moves: Eagles elevate S Blake Countess and CB Jameson Houston from the practice squad for Sunday's game |work=PhiladelphiaEagles.com |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/roster-moves-eagles-elevate-s-blake-countess-and-cb-jameson-houston |access-date=February 3, 2021}}{{Cite news |last=McPherson, Chris |date=January 2, 2021 |title=Eagles elevate Blake Countess, Joe Ostman, and Prince Tega Wanogho for Sunday night's game |work=PhiladelphiaEagles.com |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-elevate-blake-countess-joe-ostman-and-prince-tega-wanogho |access-date=February 13, 2021}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the Eagles on January 4, 2021,{{Cite web |last=McPherson |first=Chris |date=January 4, 2021 |title=Eagles agree to terms with DT T.Y. McGill; sign nine players to reserve/futures deals |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-agree-to-terms-with-dt-ty-mcgill-sign-nine-players-to-futures-deals |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}} and was released on March 9, 2021.{{Cite news |last=McPherson |first=Chris |date=March 9, 2021 |title=Eagles release S Blake Countess, DT Treyvon Hester |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-release-blake-countess-treyvon-hester |access-date=March 9, 2021 |work=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}}
On August 9, 2021, Countess re-signed with the Eagles.{{Cite web |last=McPherson |first=Chris |date=August 9, 2021 |title=Roster Moves: Eagles activate Matt Leo; sign Blake Countess |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/roster-moves-eagles-activate-matt-leo-sign-blake-countess |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}} He was placed on injured reserve on August 31, 2021.{{cite web | title=Eagles' Blake Countess: Moves to injured reserve | website=CBSSports.com | date=2021-09-02 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/eagles-blake-countess-moves-to-injured-reserve/ | access-date=2025-01-08}} He was released on September 9, 2021.
=Baltimore Ravens=
On December 1, 2021, Countess was signed to the Baltimore Ravens practice squad. He was released on December 28.{{cite web | title=Baltimore Ravens 2021 Transactions | website=Baltimore Ravens | url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/team/transactions/2021 | access-date=2025-01-10}}
=Los Angeles Rams (second stint)=
Countess signed to the Los Angeles Rams practice squad on January 12, 2022. Countess was elevated to the active roster and won Super Bowl LVI when the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals.{{cite web | last=DaSilva | first=Cameron | title=Rams activate Eric Weddle and Blake Countess from practice squad | website=Rams Wire|publisher=USA Today | date=2022-01-22 | url=https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2022/01/22/rams-roster-eric-weddle-blake-countess-activate/ | access-date=2025-01-10}}{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl LVI - Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals - February 13th, 2022 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202202130cin.htm |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
=New Jersey Generals=
On January 26, 2023, Countess signed with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League (USFL).{{cite tweet |user=USFLGenerals |title=Free Agent Signing |number=1618619688145268738 |date=January 26, 2023 |access-date=January 26, 2023}} He was placed on the team's injured reserve list on April 19, 2023.{{cite tweet |user=USFLGenerals |title=Free Agent Signing |number=1648884199011622914 |date=April 19, 2023 |access-date=April 20, 2023}} He was placed on the retired list on October 4, 2023.{{Cite web |title=Transfer Player to Retired List: CB Blake Countess|url=https://twitter.com/USFLGenerals/status/1709772868568142221 |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | |||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="4"| Tackles ! colspan="6"| Interceptions ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Comb | Total | Ast | Sck | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TDs | FF | FR |
| 2016 | LAR
| 5 || 5 || 20 || 20 || 8 || 1.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2017 | LAR
| 16 || 1|| 25 || 23 || 6 || 0.0 || 1 || 1 || 19 || 19 || 19 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | LAR
| 16 || 1|| 9 || 7 || 2 || 0.0 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2019 | NYJ
| 6 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2020 | PHI
| 2 || 0 || 3 || 3 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2021 | BAL
| - || - || - || - || - || - || - || - || - || - || - || - || - || - | ||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| Career | 45 || 37 || 56 || 53 || 16 || 1.0 || 3 || 2 || 19 || 9.5 || 19 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| colspan="18"|Source: [https://www.nfl.com/players/blake-countess/stats/career NFL.com] |
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20171116195616/http://www.auburntigers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/blake_countess_973927.html Auburn Tigers bio]
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{{Eagles2016DraftPicks}}
{{Super Bowl LVI}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Countess, Blake}}
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