Nathan Vasher
{{Short description|American football player (born 1981)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Nathan Vasher
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| number = 31, 30
| position = Cornerback
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1981|11|17|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Wichita Falls, Texas, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 10
| weight_lbs = 185
| high_school = Texas {{nowrap|(Texarkana, Texas)}}
| college = Texas
| draftyear = 2004
| draftround = 4
| draftpick = 110
| pastteams =
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2004}}–{{NFL Year|2009}})
- San Diego Chargers ({{NFL Year|2010}})*
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2010}})
| pastcoaching =
- Texas (2011-2013)
Student assistant coach - Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2016}})
Intern assistant coach - Trinity International University (2017)
Cornerback coach - Carmel Catholic (2018-2019)
Assistant Coach - Texas (2020)
volunteer assistant coach
| highlights =
- Second-team All-Pro (2005)
- Pro Bowl (2005)
- Second-team All-American (2003)
- First-team All-Big 12 (2003)
- 2× Second-team All-Big 12 (2001, 2002)
- 2001 Big 12 South champion
- 2002 Big 12 South co-champion
- 2003 Cotton Bowl Classic champion
- 2001 Holiday Bowl champion
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 193
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 1.0
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 2
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 1
| statlabel5 = Interceptions
| statvalue5 = 20
| statlabel6 = Total touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 3
| pfr = VashNa99
}}
Nathaniel DeWayne Vasher (born November 17, 1981) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was an All-American for the Texas Longhorns where he played college football for four seasons. He was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft and with them became a Pro Bowler and played in Super Bowl XLI. He was also a member of the San Diego Chargers and Detroit Lions.
Early life
A first team all-state selection at both cornerback and wide receiver at Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas, Vasher was recruited by the University of Texas at Austin.
College career
He started at strong safety for the Longhorns in 2001 and at cornerback in 2002 and 2003. He intercepted 17 passes in his college career, tying the school record. He also returned punts and kickoffs and earned All-America honors as a punt returner in 2001. In his senior year he earned All-Big 12 honors, third-team All-America recognition and was a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist. He helped the Longhorns win the 2001 Holiday Bowl and the 2002 Cotton Bowl.
He set several records. In his senior year he set the single-season school record for pass break-ups with 26 and the career record with 64, which was also a Big 12 record. He also tied the school's career interceptions record with 17. He set the school record for punt return yards with 1,314 career yards. In his sophomore year, he tied then-UT season record with seven interceptions in a season. He tied the then school career record with 2 punt returns for a TD.
In 2017, he was inducted into the Longhorns Hall of Honor.{{cite web |title=Nathan Vasher |url=https://texassports.com/honors/hall-of-honor/nathan-vasher/889 |website=Texassports.com |access-date=11 May 2023}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 10
| weight = 177
| arm span = 30 5/8
| hand span = 8 1/2
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1901&DraftYear=2004 |title=2004 Draft Scout Nathan Vasher, Texas NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |access-date=March 22, 2023 |website=draftscout.com}}
}}
=Chicago Bears=
The Chicago Bears selected Vasher in the fourth round of 2004 NFL draft.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2004/draft.htm |title=2004 NFL Draft Listing |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en |access-date=2023-05-06}} He began his career with the team as a back-up cornerback, but became a starter by the fourth week of the season. Vasher became the Bears’ top cornerback after Charles Tillman was sidelined with an injury. In one of his best games of the season, Vasher intercepted one of Ken Dorsey’s passes and returned it for a 71-yard touchdown.Associated Press, [https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap;_ylt=AntUgU.Vk.e1SoI3h90jH9D.uLYF?gid=20041031003 Bears 23, 49ers 13] (November 15, 2004), Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved on March 21, 2008.
Vasher had the best season of his career in 2005, when he led the Bears and National Football Conference with eight interceptions. He also set a record for the longest return of any kind when he returned Joe Nedney’s missed 52-yard field goal for a 108-yard touchdown.Associated Press, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20121023125816/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=251113003 Vasher's 108-yard return lifts Bears over 49ers]}} (November 13, 2005), ESPN. Retrieved on March 21, 2008. The record was later tied by teammate Devin Hester (who returned a missed Jay Feely field goal for a score on November 12, 2006, against the Giants) and Ellis Hobbs (who returned a kickoff for a touchdown on September 9, 2007, against the Jets).Associated Press, {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120714043814/http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap;_ylt=AshV5w46hwB_bR1FFZHQSuH.uLYF?gid=20061112019 Bears 38, Giants 20]}} (November 13, 2006), Yahoo! Sports, Retrieved on March 21, 2008.Youngmisuk, Ohm, [http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/2007/09/10/2007-09-10_ellis_hobbs_108yard_kickoff_return_sets_.html Ellis Hobbs' 108-yard kickoff return sets record] (September 10, 2007), Daily News. Retrieved on March 21, 2008. The record is now held by Antonio Cromartie, who returned a missed Ryan Longwell field goal 109 yards for a touchdown for San Diego against Minnesota on November 4, 2007.Associated Press, [https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3094481Chargers cornerback's return longest play in NFL history] (November 4, 2007), ESPN. Retrieved on March 21, 2008. Vasher completed the season with an invitation to the Pro Bowl, as well as two player of the week awards. He was also 10th in voting for the AP's NFL Defensive Player of the year and was a 2nd Team all Pro.{{cite web |title=Nathan Vasher Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/V/VashNa99.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=11 May 2023}}
Vasher missed portions of the 2006 season on account of injuries and was limited to only three interceptions. He played a pivotal role in the Bears’ National Football Conference Championship victory by recovering a fumble and also intercepting Drew Brees in the game's final minutes.Wilner, Barry, [https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap?gid=20070121003 Bears 39, Saints 14] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325155441/http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap?gid=20070121003 |date=March 25, 2013 }} (January 22, 2007), Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved on March 21, 2008. The next week in Super Bowl XLI he assigned to cover Marvin Harrison, one of the Indianapolis Colts’ top receivers, and limited him to 59 yards with 3 pass deflections, while also assisting Chris Harris in an interception.
During the subsequent off-season, the Bears re-signed Vasher and Tillman to long-term contracts.Mayer, Larry, [http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=3674 Dynamic cornerback duo picks off three passes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223215122/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=3674 |date=2007-12-23 }} (August 7, 2007), chicagobears.com. Retrieved on March 21, 2008. He sustained a groin injury during the third game of the 2007 season and was forced to miss the next ten games while recuperating. He made his return during a Monday Night Football match up against the Minnesota Vikings, in which he intercepted a pass and also helped Brian Urlacher record one by delivering a hit to Robert Ferguson.{{cite news | first=Larry | last=Mayer | title=Vasher returns with a vengeance after 10-game hiatus | date=2007-12-17 | publisher=chicagobears.com | url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4199 | accessdate=2010-03-18 | archive-date=2007-12-20 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220054231/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4199 | url-status=dead }} Vasher continued to struggle with injuries, and lost his starting job to Zack Bowman in 2009.{{cite news | first=Jeff | last=Dickerson | title=Vasher never recovered from groin injury | date=2010-03-17 | publisher=ESPN | url =https://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/bears/post/_/id/4664525/vasher-never-recovered-from-groin-injury | access-date = 2010-03-18 }}
On March 17, 2010, Vasher was released from the Bears.Mayer, Larry, [http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=6627 Bears release veteran cornerback Vasher] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100322190549/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=6627 |date=2010-03-22 }} (March 17, 2007), chicagobears.com. Retrieved on March 17, 2008.
=San Diego Chargers=
Vasher signed a two-year contract with the San Diego Chargers on March 29, 2010, but was released in September before playing in a game with the team.{{Cite web|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/sep/04/vasher-crompton-reed-gone/|title = The San Diego Union-Tribune - San Diego, California & National News}}
=Detroit Lions=
On September 13, 2010, Vasher signed with the Detroit Lions.[http://www.freep.com/article/20100913/SPORTS01/100913059/1354/CB-Nathan-Vasher-signs-with-Lions CB Nathan Vasher signs with Lions] Detroit Free Press September 13, 2010 He was re-signed to a one-year deal on March 4, 2011. On September 3, 2011 Vasher was cut by the Lions.{{cite web|title=Lions bring back CB Nathan Vasher on one year deal|date=4 March 2011|url=http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Lions-bring-back-CB-Nathan-Vasher-on-oneyear-deal.html|publisher=National Football Post}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! colspan="2"| Legend |
| Bold
| Career high |
=Regular season=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
!rowspan="2"| Team !colspan="2"| Games !colspan="5"| Tackles !colspan="5"| Interceptions !colspan="4"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | |
| 2004 | CHI
| 16 || 7 || 37 || 34 || 3 || 0.0 || 1 || 5 || 177 || 1 || 71 || 9 || 0 || 1 || 12 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2005 | CHI
| 16 || 15 || 47 || 40 || 7 || 0.0 || 0 || 8 || 145 || 1 || 46 || 16 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2006 | CHI
| 14 || 13 || 45 || 33 || 12 || 0.0 || 0 || 3 || 11 || 0 || 7 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2007 | CHI
| 4 || 2 || 8 || 7 || 1 || 1.0 || 1 || 1 || 34 || 0 || 34 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2008 | CHI
| 8 || 7 || 22 || 21 || 1 || 0.0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2009 | CHI
| 15 || 2 || 15 || 10 || 5 || 0.0 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2010 | DET
| 14 || 5 || 19 || 15 || 4 || 0.0 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| | 87 | 51 | 193 | 160 | 33 | 1.0 | 4 | 20 | 368 | 2 | 71 | 49 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 0 |
=Playoffs=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
!rowspan="2"| Team !colspan="2"| Games !colspan="5"| Tackles !colspan="5"| Interceptions !colspan="4"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | |
| 2005 | CHI
| 1 || 1 || 4 || 3 || 1 || 0.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2006 | CHI
| 3 || 3 || 13 || 11 || 2 || 0.0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 4 || 0 || 1 || 14 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| | 4 | 4 | 17 | 14 | 3 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 0 |
Personal life
Vasher was nicknamed "ESPN3" in college, and "The Interceptor" by Bears fans due to his many interceptions.{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4492 |title=How well do you know the Bears? Take our trivia quiz - Chicago Bears |website=www.chicagobears.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323171802/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4492 |archive-date=2008-03-23}}
His nephew, T. J. Vasher, is currently a wide receiver for the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League.
He returned to UT after his NFL career, worked as a student assistant coach and earned his bachelor's degree in applied learning and development in the spring of 2014. In 2016 he received a Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship and spent the year as an intern coach with the Bears.{{cite web |title=Vasher on the staff as coaching intern |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/vasher-on-the-staff-as-coaching-intern-17457999 |access-date=9 February 2024}} In 2017 he went to work on the coaching staff at Trinity International University, working with cornerbacks.{{cite news |title=Nathan Vasher |url=https://tiutrojans.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/nathan-vasher/588 |access-date=9 February 2024}}
In 2018, Vasher and former Bears teammate Johnny Knox became assistant coaches at Carmel High School under ex-Bear Blake Annen.{{cite news|last=Hammond|first=Sean|url=https://www.nwherald.com/2019/07/21/3-ex-bears-coach-at-carmel-catholic/afgu197/|title=3 ex-Bears coach at Carmel Catholic|newspaper=Northwest Herald|date=July 22, 2019|accessdate=January 5, 2020}}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} he left in 2020 to be an volunteer assistant coach at Texas.{{cite web | last=Hammond | first=Sean | title=Former Bears fullback Jason McKie ready to 'set a standard' as head coach at Carmel | website=Shaw Local | date=2020-01-08 | url=https://www.shawlocal.com/2020/01/06/former-bears-fullback-jason-mckie-ready-to-set-a-standard-as-head-coach-at-carmel/aftbr1x/ | access-date=2024-08-16}}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- [http://www.nathanvasher31.com Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007113549/http://www.nathanvasher31.com/ |date=October 7, 2008 }}
- {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20061104043840/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=VasheNat01 Career statistics]}}
- [http://www.chargers.com/team/roster/Nathan-Vasher/c5349bf2-3e0d-4b7f-a270-6d0d01345df8 San Diego Chargers bio]
{{Bears2004DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vasher, Nathan}}
Category:Players of American football from Texarkana, Texas
Category:American football cornerbacks
Category:National Conference Pro Bowl players
Category:Texas High School alumni
Category:Players of American football from Wichita Falls, Texas
Category:Texas Longhorns football players
Category:Chicago Bears players