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Nathan Vasher
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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.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]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
[edit]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.[1] 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.[1]
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.[1]
In 2017, he was inducted into the Longhorns Hall of Honor.[1]
Professional career
[edit]| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
177 lb (80 kg) |
30+5⁄8 in (0.78 m) |
8+1⁄2 in (0.22 m) | |||||||||
| All values from NFL Combine[2] | ||||||||||||
Chicago Bears
[edit]The Chicago Bears selected Vasher in the fourth round of 2004 NFL draft with the 110th overall pick.[3] 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.[4]
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.[5] 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).[6][7] 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.[8] 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.[9]
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.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12] Vasher continued to struggle with injuries, and lost his starting job to Zack Bowman in 2009.[13]
On March 17, 2010, Vasher was released from the Bears.[14]
San Diego Chargers
[edit]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.[15]
Detroit Lions
[edit]On September 13, 2010, Vasher signed with the Detroit Lions.[16] He was re-signed to a one-year deal on March 4, 2011. On September 3, 2011 Vasher was cut by the Lions.[17]
NFL career statistics
[edit]| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Bold | Career high |
Regular season
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | 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 |
| 87 | 51 | 193 | 160 | 33 | 1.0 | 4 | 20 | 368 | 2 | 71 | 49 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 0 | ||
Playoffs
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | 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 |
| 4 | 4 | 17 | 14 | 3 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 0 | ||
Personal life
[edit]Vasher was nicknamed "ESPN3" in college, and "The Interceptor" by Bears fans due to his many interceptions.[18]
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.[19] In 2017 he went to work on the coaching staff at Trinity International University, working with cornerbacks.[1][20]
In 2018, Vasher and former Bears teammate Johnny Knox became assistant coaches at Carmel High School under ex-Bear Blake Annen.[21] he left in 2020 to be an volunteer assistant coach at Texas.[22]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Nathan Vasher". Texassports.com. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
- ^ "2004 Draft Scout Nathan Vasher, Texas NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- ^ "2004 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
- ^ Associated Press, Bears 23, 49ers 13 (November 15, 2004), Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved on March 21, 2008.
- ^ Associated Press, Vasher's 108-yard return lifts Bears over 49ers (November 13, 2005), ESPN. Retrieved on March 21, 2008.
- ^ Associated Press, Bears 38, Giants 20 (November 13, 2006), Yahoo! Sports, Retrieved on March 21, 2008.
- ^ Youngmisuk, Ohm, Ellis Hobbs' 108-yard kickoff return sets record (September 10, 2007), Daily News. Retrieved on March 21, 2008.
- ^ Associated Press, cornerback's return longest play in NFL history (November 4, 2007), ESPN. Retrieved on March 21, 2008.
- ^ "Nathan Vasher Stats". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
- ^ Wilner, Barry, Bears 39, Saints 14 Archived March 25, 2013, at the Wayback Machine (January 22, 2007), Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved on March 21, 2008.
- ^ Mayer, Larry, Dynamic cornerback duo picks off three passes Archived 2007-12-23 at the Wayback Machine (August 7, 2007), chicagobears.com. Retrieved on March 21, 2008.
- ^ Mayer, Larry (December 17, 2007). "Vasher returns with a vengeance after 10-game hiatus". chicagobears.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2007. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
- ^ Dickerson, Jeff (March 17, 2010). "Vasher never recovered from groin injury". ESPN. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
- ^ Mayer, Larry, Bears release veteran cornerback Vasher Archived 2010-03-22 at the Wayback Machine (March 17, 2007), chicagobears.com. Retrieved on March 17, 2008.
- ^ "The San Diego Union-Tribune - San Diego, California & National News".
- ^ CB Nathan Vasher signs with Lions Detroit Free Press September 13, 2010
- ^ "Lions bring back CB Nathan Vasher on one year deal". National Football Post. March 4, 2011.
- ^ "How well do you know the Bears? Take our trivia quiz - Chicago Bears". www.chicagobears.com. Archived from the original on March 23, 2008.
- ^ "Vasher on the staff as coaching intern". Retrieved February 9, 2024.
- ^ "Nathan Vasher". Retrieved February 9, 2024.
- ^ Hammond, Sean (July 22, 2019). "3 ex-Bears coach at Carmel Catholic". Northwest Herald. Retrieved January 5, 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Hammond, Sean (January 8, 2020). "Former Bears fullback Jason McKie ready to 'set a standard' as head coach at Carmel". Shaw Local. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
External links
[edit]- Official website Archived October 7, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- Career statistics
- San Diego Chargers bio
Nathan Vasher
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Family background
Nathaniel DeWayne Vasher was born on November 17, 1981, in Wichita Falls, Texas, to Monica Vasher and Rev. Roy Lee Vasher Jr., a Baptist minister.[8][9] His father died of cancer in 1985 at the age of 31, when Vasher was just four years old, leaving the family to relocate to Texarkana, Texas, in an effort to start anew.[9] Vasher grew up with two older brothers, including Roy Lee Vasher III, who played key roles in supporting the family after their father's death.[9][10] Within two years of the loss, his mother Monica was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which brought additional challenges including depression and auditory hallucinations; she managed her condition with medication and avoided crowds to prevent panic attacks.[9] Vasher's brothers helped conceal the severity of their mother's illness from him during his early years to shield him from further distress.[9] Despite these family hardships, Vasher developed an early interest in sports, beginning to play football at a very young age, which became a constant in his life.[11] His mother provided emotional support for his pursuits, offering encouragement like "Hang in there. We're going to be OK today" during tough times, fostering resilience that influenced his path toward organized athletics.[9]High school career
Nathan Vasher attended Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas, where he emerged as a standout football player known for his versatility on both sides of the ball.[7] Playing primarily as a cornerback and wide receiver, Vasher earned first-team all-state honors in Class 4A during his senior year for both positions, marking the first time a Texas High player achieved such dual recognition in the program's history.[12][13] He also contributed as a punt returner throughout his high school career, honing skills that would later define his college play.[12] Vasher was a three-sport athlete at Texas High, participating in football, basketball, and track, which helped build his athletic foundation.[14] As a highly touted defensive back, he drew interest from multiple Division I programs and ultimately committed to the University of Texas, signing his national letter of intent on February 7, 2000, after earning a scholarship through his on-field performance.[15]College career
University of Texas performance
Nathan Vasher enrolled at the University of Texas in 2000, where he played primarily as a cornerback and strong safety while also serving as a punt returner on special teams.[7][5] As a freshman in 2000, Vasher saw limited action in 10 games, primarily on special teams, recording 27 tackles (22 solo, 5 assisted), 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, no interceptions, and 3 punt returns for 26 yards.[16] In his sophomore year of 2001, he earned a starting role at strong safety and led the team with 7 interceptions while tying the school single-season record; he also tallied 56 tackles (41 solo, 15 assisted), 2 tackles for loss, and set a Texas record with 37 punt returns for 554 yards and 1 touchdown, leading the nation in punt return yardage.[7] A highlight came in a Big 12 opener against North Carolina, where he set school and conference records with 8 punt returns for 153 yards in a 44–14 victory, adding 3 tackles and 4 pass breakups on defense.[17] Vasher started all 11 games as a junior in 2002, contributing 33 tackles (24 solo, 9 assisted), 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 4 interceptions, and 26 punt returns for 370 yards including 1 touchdown.[18][5] During his senior season in 2003, he started all 13 games at cornerback, recording 43 tackles (35 solo, 8 assisted), 6 tackles for loss, 6 interceptions, a school-record 26 pass breakups, and 28 punt returns for 364 yards.[19][7] Notable performances included interceptions in Big 12 matchups, such as against Kansas State.[20] Over his four-year career in 46 games, Vasher amassed 159 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and 17 interceptions, ranking him as the Big 12's all-time leader in picks at the time; he also returned 94 punts for 1,314 yards and 2 touchdowns.[7][5][21]Awards and honors
During his sophomore season in 2001, Vasher tied the University of Texas single-season record for interceptions with seven, a mark that highlighted his defensive prowess as a strong safety. He also earned third-team All-American honors as a punt returner from The Sporting News.[7][22] In 2002, as a junior cornerback, Vasher earned second-team All-Big 12 honors from the Associated Press after recording 15 pass breakups and four interceptions.[23] He was also selected to the second-team All-Big 12 by the conference coaches.[24] Vasher's senior year in 2003 brought further acclaim, including first-team All-Big 12 selections from both the Associated Press and the conference coaches.[25][26] He received third-team All-America honors from the Associated Press and second-team recognition from the Walter Camp Football Foundation, acknowledging his role in leading the Big 12 with 17 career interceptions at the time.[7][27] Additionally, Vasher was named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which recognizes the nation's top defensive back.[7][28] In recognition of his overall contributions to Texas football from 2000 to 2003, Vasher was inducted into the University of Texas Men's Hall of Honor in 2017.[6][29]Professional career
Chicago Bears
Nathan Vasher was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round, 110th overall, of the 2004 NFL Draft out of the University of Texas.[1] His college performance as a shutdown cornerback and return specialist contributed to his appeal as a mid-round pick with versatility.[1] In his rookie season of 2004, Vasher quickly established himself as a key contributor in the Bears' secondary, appearing in all 16 games with 7 starts and recording 5 interceptions for 177 return yards, including a 71-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns.[1] He also tallied 9 pass deflections and contributed on special teams, helping the Bears improve their pass defense that year.[1] These efforts marked a promising start, as Vasher's ball skills translated effectively from college to the professional level. Vasher reached his peak during the 2005 and 2006 seasons, earning a Pro Bowl selection after 2005 for his elite coverage and playmaking ability.[30][31] In 2005, he tied for the NFL lead with 8 interceptions, returning one 45 yards for a touchdown, while also notching 16 pass deflections and a franchise-record 108-yard return of a missed field goal for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers—the longest play in NFL history at the time.[32] The following year, in 2006, Vasher added 3 interceptions and 8 pass deflections over 14 games, anchoring the Bears' defense en route to an NFC Championship win and an appearance in Super Bowl XLI against the Indianapolis Colts, where he started and recorded 1 playoff interception.[1] His contributions during this period were instrumental in the Bears' resurgence as a contending team, highlighted by back-to-back NFC North titles and a stout secondary that limited opponents' passing attacks. Over his six seasons with the Bears from 2004 to 2009, Vasher accumulated 19 interceptions for 368 return yards and 2 touchdowns, along with 44 pass deflections, solidifying his role as one of the league's top cornerbacks early in his career.[1] However, his performance declined amid persistent injuries, including a partially torn groin that sidelined him for 12 games across 2007 and 2008, a wrist injury requiring surgery in 2008, and a fractured right hand that landed him on injured reserve late that season.[33][34] In 2009, limited to 15 games with just 2 starts, Vasher managed only 1 interception as younger players like Zack Bowman overtook him on the depth chart.[1] The Bears released him on March 17, 2010, ending his tenure after 73 games (46 starts) marked by both standout achievements and injury challenges.[32]San Diego Chargers
After being released by the Chicago Bears on March 17, 2010, amid ongoing injury concerns from prior seasons, Vasher signed a two-year contract with the San Diego Chargers as a free agent on March 29, 2010, to bolster the team's cornerback depth.[35][36] Vasher competed for a starting role during the 2010 preseason, appearing in multiple games and recording two interceptions while providing veteran experience to a secondary seeking reinforcements.[37][38] Despite his contributions, the Chargers waived Vasher on September 4, 2010, as part of final roster cuts, prior to the regular season; he did not appear in any regular-season games for the team.[39]Detroit Lions
After being released by the San Diego Chargers on September 4, 2010, Vasher signed with the Detroit Lions on September 13, 2010, to bolster their secondary amid injuries to other cornerbacks.[39] This move came after Vasher had been out of football briefly following a short stint with the Chargers earlier that year, where he did not appear in any games. With the Lions, Vasher provided veteran depth and contributed in a rotational role during the 2010 season. He appeared in 14 games, starting five, and recorded 19 tackles (15 solo), one interception, and five passes defended.[40] His interception came in Week 16 against the Miami Dolphins, helping secure a road victory, while his tackles for loss and quarterback hits demonstrated his continued ability to disrupt plays despite limited snaps.[41] Vasher's performance was solid but secondary to his role in mentoring younger players and stabilizing the unit late in the season. Vasher's time with Detroit marked the end of his NFL playing career, as he opted for an unofficial retirement after the 2010 season at age 29, citing cumulative injuries—including a lingering groin issue from 2007 and wrist problems—that had hampered his mobility and consistency in prior years with the Bears.[33][4] Over seven professional seasons, he appeared in 87 games, transitioning from a Pro Bowl starter to a reliable reserve by the end.[1]Post-NFL career
Early coaching roles
In 2016, Vasher participated in the NFL's intern program as an assistant coach with the Chicago Bears during training camp, where he worked primarily with special teams under coordinators Jeff Rodgers and Richard Hightower.[4][11] That same year, he served as an assistant coach at Lake Forest High School in Illinois, specializing in defensive backs; the team started the season with a 2-0 record.[11] Vasher joined Trinity International University in 2017 as the defensive backs coach for the TIU Trojans, his first full-time collegiate coaching position, holding the role until 2020.[3] In this position, he drew on his NFL experience as a cornerback to mentor players, emphasizing technique and game preparation.[3] From 2018 to 2020, he also served as an assistant coach at Carmel Catholic High School in Illinois, working with defensive backs alongside former Chicago Bears teammates Johnny Knox and Blake Annen.[42][43] His early coaching endeavors were driven by a desire to stay involved in football and guide young athletes, leveraging his professional background to foster development at various levels.[4][11]University of Texas return
After retiring from the NFL following the 2010 season, Vasher returned to the University of Texas in 2011 as a student assistant coach while completing his bachelor's degree in applied learning and development.[4][11] This role, which lasted until 2013, allowed him to contribute to the program that had shaped his All-American career as a defensive back from 2000 to 2003, where he tied the school career record with 17 interceptions and set the single-season punt return yardage record with 554 yards in 2001.[5][44] Vasher's position leveraged his professional experience to mentor young players, focusing on defensive techniques and special teams strategies during practices and team preparations.[11] During his time as a student assistant, Vasher emphasized player development, drawing on his background to help refine coverage skills and return expertise among the secondary and special teams units, contributing to the Longhorns' defensive efforts in the early 2010s. He completed his degree in the spring, marking the end of this phase of his involvement with the UT coaching staff.[7] Vasher has maintained strong ties to his alma mater in subsequent years. In February 2025, he returned to the University of Texas as the defensive backs coach, a full-time position.[45] In October 2025, he appeared on the "Legends of the Locker Room" podcast, where he discussed the storied Texas-Oklahoma rivalry, shared defensive strategies from his playing days, and offered insights on current Longhorns challenges, reflecting his enduring commitment to the program.[46]NFL career statistics
Regular season
Nathan Vasher appeared in 87 regular-season games over seven NFL seasons, starting 51 of them. His defensive contributions included 20 interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, along with 49 passes defended and 1 forced fumble. He recorded 160 solo tackles and 33 assists, demonstrating his role as a reliable cornerback in coverage.[1][47] In 2005, Vasher led the NFL with 8 interceptions while playing for the Chicago Bears, highlighting his peak ball-hawking ability that season. The following table summarizes Vasher's regular-season defensive statistics by year and team:| Season | Team | G | GS | Solo | Ast | INT | PD | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | CHI | 16 | 7 | 34 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 0 |
| 2005 | CHI | 16 | 15 | 40 | 7 | 8 | 16 | 1 |
| 2006 | CHI | 14 | 13 | 33 | 12 | 3 | 8 | 0 |
| 2007 | CHI | 4 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2008 | CHI | 8 | 7 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
| 2009 | CHI | 15 | 2 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 | DET | 14 | 5 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Career | 87 | 51 | 160 | 33 | 20 | 49 | 1 |
