Jonathan Polynice Vilma (born April 16, 1982) is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at the University of Miami, and was drafted by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Vilma has also played for the New Orleans Saints.
Contents
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Early years 1
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University of Miami 2
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2000 season 2.1
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2001 season 2.2
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2002 season 2.3
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2003 season 2.4
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Professional career 3
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Combine 3.1
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New York Jets 3.2
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2004 3.2.1
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2005 3.2.2
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2006 3.2.3
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2007 3.2.4
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New Orleans Saints 3.3
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2008 3.3.1
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2009: Super Bowl year 3.3.2
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2010–2011 3.3.3
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2012: Bounty scandal 3.3.4
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2013 3.3.5
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2014 3.3.6
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Career statistics 4
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Personal life 5
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References 6
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External links 7
Early years
Vilma was born in Coral Gables, Florida to Haitian immigrant parents.[1][2] He attended G.W. Carver Middle School and later Coral Gables High School where he was a teammate of Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore
University of Miami
Vilma received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Miami, and played for coach Butch Davis and coach Larry Coker's Miami Hurricanes football teams from 2000 to 2003.
2000 season
In 2000, Vilma played in all 11 games as a reserve middle linebacker and compiled 38 tackles (29 solo) and a pass deflection.
2001 season
After the graduation of
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AFC East
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North
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South
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West
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NFC East
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North
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South
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West
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Jonathan Vilma Official Website
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New Orleans Saints bio
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Miami Hurricanes bio
External links
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^ "Jonathan Vilma". NFL. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
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^ Corbett, Jim (January 21, 2010). "Once castoffs, Jeremy Shockey, Jonathan Vilma fueling Saints". USA Today. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
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^ "Chicago Sun Times". Retrieved 2007-10-28.
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^ Litsky, Frank (2007-11-14). "Jets’ Vilma Speaks, a Little, About His Knee and Surgery". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-24.
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^ "Saints reach agreement with Vilma - NFL.com". Blogs.nfl.com. 2009-02-27. Retrieved 2012-09-09.
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^ Judge, Clark (2012-03-02). "Saints, team officials involved in bounty program should pay dearly".
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^ "NFL announces management discipline in Saints' 'bounty' matter". National Football League. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
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^ Aiello, Greg. "FOUR PLAYERS SUSPENDED FOR PARTICIPATION IN SAINTS’ PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE/BOUNTY PROGRAM" (PDF). National Football League. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
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^ "Jonathan Vilma banned one year".
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^ "Vilma lawsuit puts Goodell on the run".
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^ Perez, A. J. (2012-03-09). "Bounty issue could be NFL legal problem".
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^ "Saints player bounty suspensions overturned on appeal". NFL.com. Retrieved 2012-09-08.
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^ Brooks, Matt. "Report: NFL re-issues bounty suspensions for Saints players". The Washington Times. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
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^ The Star (Toronto). December 13, 2012 http://www.thestar.com/sports/football/nfl/article/1301555--saints-jonathan-vilma-pursuing-defamation-case-against-roger-goodell-as-teammates-blast-commissioner-nfl.
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^ "Jonathan Vilma's lawsuit against Roger Goodell dismissed", NFL.com, January 17, 2013.
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^ John DeShazier, "Saints defense will have to move ahead without Jonathan Vilma", NewOrleansSaints.com, November 7, 2013.
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^ "New Orleans Saints part ways with Jabari Greer, Roman Harper, Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma", NewOrleansSaints.com, February 12, 2014.
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^ http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/5537/jonathan-vilma
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^ http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/5537/jonathan-vilma
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^ "NFL Statistics - 2005". ESPN. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
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^ [3]
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^ "Two slain at Vilma-owned condo".
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^ [4]
References
Vilma started The Jonathan Vilma Foundation after the 2010 Haiti earthquake to help assist with the rebuilding efforts in Haiti, in particular a charter school to educate students from elementary school to high school.
Vilma's parents, Fritz Vilma and Nelly Banatte, immigrated to the United States from Haiti in the 1970s. After the 2010 earthquake, he was active in relief efforts.[23]
On March 31, 2009 two Liberian men were killed in a Long Island condominium owned by Vilma. Police believe that the victims may have been part of a black money scam, where the perpetrators claim that cash smuggled from overseas—stained black to avoid detection—can be purchased at a discount; in reality, what they offer is a trunk full of worthless paper. Vilma is not considered a suspect.[22]
Vilma is a spokesman for Under Armour and WaterBank of America USA Inc.[21]
Personal life
1NFL Leader (2005)[20]
Year
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Team
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G
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Tackles
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Solo
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Ast
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Sacks
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INT
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INT YDS
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FF
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FR
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PD
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TD
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2004
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New York Jets
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16
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107
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77
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30
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2
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3
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58
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0
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1
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2
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1
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2005
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New York Jets
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16
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1691
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124
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45
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0.5
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1
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1
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4
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1
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5
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0
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2006
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New York Jets
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16
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114
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67
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47
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0
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1
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0
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1
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1
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4
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0
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2007[18]
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New York Jets
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7
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43
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32
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11
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0
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1
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1
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0
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0
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3
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0
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2008
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New Orleans Saints
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16
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132
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98
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34
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1
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1
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8
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2
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3
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6
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0
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2009
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New Orleans Saints
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15
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110
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87
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23
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2
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3
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25
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0
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0
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8
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0
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2010
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New Orleans Saints
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16
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105
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71
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34
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4
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1
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5
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3
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1
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3
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0
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2011
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New Orleans Saints
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11
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54
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36
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18
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0
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0
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0
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1
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3
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2
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1
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2012[19]
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New Orleans Saints
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11
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37
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20
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17
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1
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1
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18
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0
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0
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2
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1
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Totals
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124
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870
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611
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259
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10.5
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12
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116
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11
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10
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35
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3
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Career statistics
On February 12, 2014 Vilma was cut from the New Orleans Saints. Vilma is a guest analyst on Bleacher Report.[17]
2014
Vilma underwent knee surgery during the preseason and was placed on the Reserve/Injured Designated for Return list, with the hope that he would recover in time to play during the season. He was reactivated for the Saints' eighth game, a 26-20 loss to his former team, the New York Jets, and was in the game for only 12 defensive snaps. The following week he was again placed on injured reserve, ending his 2013 season.[16]
2013
In total, Vilma played in 11 games during the 2012 season.
On October 9, 2012, the league again suspended Vilma, Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, Saints defensive end Will Smith and free-agent defensive end Anthony Hargrove. Vilma's suspension lasted throughout the entire 2012 season, but he was allowed to retain his paychecks (when he was on the Physically Unable to Perform list) for the first six weeks of the season.[13] The suspensions were then reviewed by former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who overruled Roger Goodell and vacated the suspensions on December 11, 2012. Vilma continued his defamation lawsuit against commissioner Goodell,[14] but it was ultimately dismissed in January 2013.[15]
Opinions about the suspensions were divided, as alleged targets like Favre and Kurt Warner claimed that incentive programs were part of the game, which was corroborated by [11] former players interviewed by Sports Illustrated. On July 26, Vilma and seven witnesses from the Saints (along with a sworn affidavit from Drew Brees) testified to a federal judge in New Orleans that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell misrepresented the facts in the league's investigation. Vilma's suspension was overturned on September 7, and he was reinstated for the 2012 season.[12] The Associated Press reported Roger Goodell's disappointment in the determination of the arbitration board's ruling.
Vilma was a central figure in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal. The NFL alleged that defensive coordinator Gregg Williams operated an incentive program, which paid out "bounties" for deliberately putting opposing players out of games. The league alleged that Vilma offered $10,000 cash to anyone who knocked Brett Favre out of the 2009 NFC Championship Game. Most notably, Favre was forced out of the game for one play with an ankle injury. Although up to 27 players were accused of involvement, Vilma was the only player initially singled out by the league for his role.[6][7] The NFL suspended Vilma for the entire 2012 season on May 2, 2012. The suspension was reported to be the longest suspension related to in-game misconduct in modern NFL history, dwarfing the previous record of five games handed to Albert Haynesworth for stomping on Andre Gurode's head in 2006. The league contended that Vilma and defensive end Will Smith aided Williams in starting the alleged program in 2009.[8] Vilma found out about the suspension when it was announced on SportsCenter, immediately announced his intent to appeal and adamantly denied that he was involved in any sort of bounty scheme.[9] Vilma filed a personal slander suit against Roger Goodell.[10]
2012: Bounty scandal
Vilma again led the team in tackles in 2010, started every game, and was selected to the Pro Bowl. In 2011 he started and played in 11 games but was inactive for 6 others with a knee injury.
2010–2011
On February 27, 2009, Vilma signed a five-year, 34 million-dollar contract with the Saints.[5] Vilma was elected one of the defensive captains, led the team in tackles, had three interceptions, and was chosen for his second Pro Bowl. In Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010, Vilma made several important plays made a key defensive audible and deflected a pass on 3rd and 11 in the fourth quarter as the Saints beat Indianapolis 31-17.
2009: Super Bowl year
In his first season with the Saints, Vilma was a bright spot on a weak defensive unit. Vilma played in all 16 games, and recorded 132 tackles with one sack.
On February 29, 2008, the Jets traded Vilma to the New Orleans Saints for a fourth-round draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft and a conditional pick in the 2009 NFL Draft (ultimately a third-round pick). Jets then-head coach Eric Mangini elected to start linebackers Eric Barton and David Harris in his place.
2008
New Orleans Saints
On October 27, 2007, Vilma was placed on injured reserve. He suffered a season ending knee injury during the New York Jets week 7 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.[3][4]
2007
In 2006, Vilma put together another solid season. He compiled 114 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one interception.
2006
In 2005, Vilma led the NFL in tackles with 169, forced four fumbles, notched one fumble recovery, half a sack, and one interception. Vilma also replaced Zach Thomas at the 2006 Pro Bowl.
2005
In 2004, Vilma was named as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press. During his rookie campaign, he recorded 107 tackles, two sacks, and three interceptions, including one which was returned for his first NFL touchdown.
2004
Vilma was drafted by the Jets with the 12th selection in the 2004 NFL Draft.
New York Jets
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4.65 40 Yard Dash
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37 Inch Vertical
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23 Bench Reps
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6.67 Three-Cone Drill
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4.20 Short Shuttle
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10-foot-1 Broad Jump
Combine
Professional career
Vilma was interviewed about his time at the University of Miami for the documentary The U, which premiered December 12, 2009 on ESPN.
Along with his success on the field, Vilma was a three-time Academic All-Big East Conference. He received a Bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Miami's School of Business Administration.
In his final year, Vilma led the team in tackles for a third time with 127 (81 solo), with one sack, forced one fumble, and recovered three fumbles. Vilma ended the year as a finalist for the Butkus Award.
2003 season
Vilma led the team in tackles with 133 (75 solo), and had two quarterback sacks, a forced fumble, recovered two fumbles, (returning one for a touchdown) and broke up five passes. He earned unanimous first-team All-Big East selection for the second time in his career and was semi-finalist for the Dick Butkus Award, along with teammate D.J. Williams.
2002 season
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