Antoine Winfield Sr.

Antoine Duane Winfield Sr. (born June 24, 1977) is an American former football cornerback who played for 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, earning consensus All-American honors and winning the Jim Thorpe Award.

Winfield received an athletic scholarship to attend Ohio State University, where he played for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team from 1995 to 1998.

As a senior in 1998, he was a consensus first-team All-American, and won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back.

He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft and played five seasons for the Bills and nine seasons for the Minnesota Vikings.

He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection as a member of the Vikings.

Winfield was born in Akron, Ohio.

He attended Garfield High School in his hometown of Akron.

The Buffalo Bills selected Winfield in the first round (23rd overall pick) of the 1999 NFL Draft, and he played for the Bills from 1999 to 2003.

On July 30, 1999, the Buffalo Bills signed Winfield to a five-year, $7.98 million contract.

Head coach Wade Phillips named Winfield the third cornerback in the depth chart to begin the regular season, behind veterans Thomas Smith and Ken Irvin.

Winfield made his professional regular season debut in the Buffalo Bills’ season-opener at the Indianapolis Colts and recorded three combined tackles and made his first career interception during their 31–14 loss.

Winfield made his first career interception off a pass attempt by Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning, that was originally intended for the wide receiver Jerome Pathon, and returned it for a three-yard gain in the fourth quarter.

On December 26, 1999, Winfield earned his first career start in place of Ken Irvin who was placed on injured reserve due to a foot injury he sustained the previous week.

He finished his first career start with one tackle during their 13–10 victory at the New England Patriots in a Week 16.

In Week 17, Winfield collected a season-high 11 combined tackles as the Bills defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31–6.

He finished his rookie season in 1999 with 40 combined tackles and two interceptions in 16 games and two starts.

The Buffalo Bills finished second in the AFC East with an 11–5 record and earned a wildcard berth.

On January 8, 2000, Winfield started in his first career playoff game and recorded three combined tackles and intercepted a pass by Titans’ quarterback Steve McNair during their 22–16 loss at the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Wildcard Game.

Winfield entered training camp slated as a starting cornerback after Thomas Smith departed during free agency and signed with the Chicago Bears.

Head coach Wade Phillips named Winfield and Ken Irvin the starting cornerbacks to begin the regular season.

In Week 9, Winfield collected a season-high nine combined tackles during a 23–20 victory against the New York Jets.

On November 5, 2000, Winfield sustained a shoulder injury during a 16–13 win at the New England Patriots.

On November 19, 2000, Winfield further aggravated his shoulder injury during a 21–17 victory at the Kansas City Chiefs.

On November 24, 2000, the Buffalo Bills placed Winfield on injured reserve after it was discovered he had a torn labrum cartilage in his right shoulder that would require surgery.

On January 8, 2001, the Buffalo Bills fired head coach Wade Phillips after they finished with an 8–8 record in 2000.

Head coach Gregg Williams retained Winfield and Ken Irvin as the starting cornerbacks to begin the regular season.

On September 23, 2001, Winfield recorded three combined tackles, a pass deflection, forced a fumble, and intercepted a pass by Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning during a 42–26 loss at the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2.

In Week 14, he collected a season-high eight solo tackles as the Bills loss 12–9 to the New England Patriots.

He started in all 16 games in 2001 and recorded 80 combined tackles (68 solo), nine pass deflections, and two interceptions.

Winfield returned as a starting cornerback in 2002.

He started alongside his former Ohio State teammate Nate Clements.

In Week 3, Winfield collected a season-high nine combined tackles during a 28–23 loss at the Denver Broncos in Week 3.

Winfield missed three games (Weeks 7–9) due to a knee injury.

On October 18, 2002, Winfield underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee.

He finished the season with 56 combined tackles (51 solo) and seven pass deflections in 13 games and 13 starts.

Defensive coordinator Jerry Gray retained Winfield and Nate Clements the starting cornerback duo in 2003.

On October 5, 2003, Winfield collected a season-high 12 combined tackles (11 solo) as the Bills defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 22–16.

On November 23, 2003, Winfield recorded ten combined tackles (seven solo) and made his first career sack during a 17–14 loss against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12.

Winfield sacked Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning for a six-yard loss during the first quarter.