Donte Whitner
Donte Whitner
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Donte Whitner, also known as "Hit" by his fans and teammates, is an American former professional football player.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on November 24, 1985, in Long Branch, New Jersey.
Nationality and Profession(s)
American, National Football League (NFL) safety.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a tough neighborhood in Long Branch, New Jersey, Donte Whitner's early life was marked by challenges. His parents, however, instilled in him the importance of education and athletics. Whitner's athletic prowess earned him a scholarship to Ohio State University, where he played college football for three seasons.
Major Accomplishments
Drafted 15th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.
Started all 16 games as a rookie, earning Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Rookie honors.
Traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 2011, where he started 48 of 64 games over four seasons.
Signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2014, starting 25 of 32 games during his two-year tenure.
* Played for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016 and the Indianapolis Colts in 2017.
Notable Works or Actions
Whitner's dedication to football and community involvement earned him numerous accolades. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection (2009-2011) and a two-time First-Team All-Pro choice (2009, 2012). In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Whitner has been involved in various charitable initiatives throughout his career.
Impact and Legacy
Donte Whitner's impact on the NFL extends beyond his impressive statistics. He was known for his intense preparation and dedication to the sport. His leadership and passion inspired teammates and opponents alike. As a member of the 2012 San Francisco 49ers team, he contributed to the franchise's Super Bowl XLVII appearance.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Donte Whitner is widely remembered for his tenacious playing style, which earned him the nickname "Hit." His dedication to community service and charitable causes has also made a lasting impact on those around him.
Quotes by Donte Whitner
The coaches especially stay focused for that week. They say that coaches have lost their jobs on that game.
For the next three games there's no fear of a letdown. It's all about what we do. If we go out and we play good, we win. And if we don't play good, we lose. We're not going to let that happen.
I don't really think we should change a lot. We see guys like that every day in practice.
It's going to be a big chess match. Offensively, they don't do a lot of different things than other college teams, but they do a lot of things better than a lot of college teams do.
They're so good. A.J. hogs the tackles. There were a number of games he had 20-some tackles. If Bobby, A.J. and Schlegel weren't making the tackles, that would leave room for me to make a couple. Then sometimes I had to share them with Nate. It wasn't easy.
They've changed their offense because of those freshmen. They really needed to upgrade their speed and talent.
You're just curious about what they think about you; it's something I think everybody ought to take advantage of. If the reports are very favorable, then you really have to think about what you're going to do.
Off the field, A.J. is quiet. He's a humble guy. He is a great player, but he's not a guy who walks around bragging on himself. He's a humble guy, a selfless guy. And that selflessness, that's a big thing with his teammates. To us, he's just a regular guy, who happens to be an All-American.
We wanted to get after Tate and take him out of the game. The key was our defensive line. They put pressure on Tate and we stopped the run.