When Antonio Cromartie stepped into the starting lineup in Week 10 of the 2007 season, the comfort level of opposing quarterbacks quickly changed as the NFL was taken hold by Cromartie’s superior athleticism.
Cromartie, the Chargers’ 2006 first-round draft choice out of Florida State, led the NFL with 10 interceptions, becoming only the second player in team history to do so, joining Charlie McNeil (1961). Cromartie became an All-Pro; he garnered several votes as the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year and he became the first Chargers cornerback to make the Pro Bowl since Gill Byrd in 1993. Although Cromartie started just six games, his impact was profound. He recorded at least one interception in each of the last three games and all 10 of his interceptions came in the team’s last nine contests.
Cromartie’s coming out party took place in a span of three weeks in late October and early November. On Oct. 28 against Houston, Cromartie scored two touchdowns, recovering an errant punt snap in the end zone and returning an interception 70 yards for a score. They were his first-career NFL TDs. A week later in Minnesota, Cromartie set an NFL record that will never be broken when he returned a missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the first half. The following week, Cromartie turned in his crown-jewel performance of the season in front of a national-television audience on NBC’s Sunday Night Football when he racked up a career-high three picks against Indianapolis’ Peyton Manning, the reigning Super Bowl MVP. Cromartie’s three picks off Manning, which all took place in the first half, included a one-handed leaping interception that made just about everyone’s highlight reel.
Including the Indianapolis game, Cromartie had three multi-pick games during the season, one shy of the NFL single-season record. Cromartie added two more picks in the postseason and was one of only seven players to intercept multiple passes in the playoffs. He intercepted Manning once again in the Chargers-Colts Jan. 13 Divisional Playoff Game at the RCA Dome and added another a week later against Tom Brady in the AFC Championship Game.
Antonio left FloridaState after playing just two seasons in Tallahassee. His collegiate career started with great promise as he was one of only a handful of true freshmen to letter in 2003. He delivered another solid season in 2004, earning first-team All-ACC honors despite starting only one game. The reason Cromartie left school early was because in 2005, while preparing for his junior season during a voluntary workout, he injured his knee while defending a pass in a one-on-one drill. The injury required surgery, forcing him to sit out the entire season. After the injury, Antonio worked diligently in his rehabilitation and exceeded the medical timetable that the doctors and trainers had set for him.
Antonio was planning to return to FloridaState for the 2006 season, but days before his team played in the 2006 Orange Bowl, he got a phone call from his mom, Cassandra, informing him that she’d been diagnosed with breast cancer. With his mom facing a life-threatening illness, and a young son at home, Cromartie decided it was best for his family if he were to leave Florida State and make himself available for the 2006 NFL Draft. The Chargers are glad that he did and they demonstrated it by making him the 19th pick in the first round.
Antonio grew up in Tallahassee so it was only natural that he enrolled with the hometown Seminoles. Interestingly, he had never been to a game at FSU’s Doak Campbell Stadium until he was recruited by FloridaState.
As a way of giving back to the community in which he was raised, Cromartie recently started The Bam Bam 13 Foundation in Tallahassee. The goal of the nonprofit foundation is to help youth reach their dreams by offering unique programs, resources and opportunities. In April, Cromartie hosted a Celebrity Weekend, which included a youth football camp at his alma mater, LincolnHigh School. The camp was attended by several of Cromartie’s Chargers’ teammates, including Marcus McNeill and Cletis Gordon.
Cromartie comes from a very athletically gifted family. He is the cousin of former Major League outfielder Warren Cromartie, a career .281 hitter who played 11 seasons with the Montreal Expos and Kansas City Royals. Another cousin, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie recently finished his college career at Tennessee State University and is expected to be among the first cornerbacks selected in the 2008 NFL Draft. Antonio also is often compared to another very talented athlete, former FloridaState and NFL cornerback and return specialist, Deion “Prime Time” Sanders. The two are close friends and speak frequently throughout the year.
While Antonio’s superior speed and athleticism have tricked a few people into thinking that he could fly, he had the chance to take flight with some of the nation’s best in March when he received a special invitation to fly in an FA-18 Hornet with the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels from their base in El Centro, California. Cromartie stayed awake during the entire 45-minute flight, which saw his FA-18 exceed speeds of 800 mph while the gravitational pull neared 6 Gs.
Cromartie has two sons, Alonzo and Jaden. He is engaged to Rhonda Patterson and the couple plans to wed in June in Atlanta.
His hobbies include playing basketball, watching movies and collecting trading cards. He estimates that his collection numbers around 2,000 pieces and one of his best cards is that of Chargers Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts. Cromartie also spends time looking after his four dogs: Noah, Bear, Serena and Diamond.
TRANSACTION HISTORY: First-round draft choice (19) by San Diego, April 29, 2006.
2007: Named first-team All-Pro by Associated Press and Sports Illustrated…All-NFL by Pro Football Weekly and Professional Football Writers of America…selected to AFC Pro Bowl squad…named Chargers Defensive Player of Year…became first-ever Charger to win NFL’s interceptions title (10)…tied Carlos Polk for team high with three special teams tackles Week 3 at Green Bay…turned in big third-quarter effort in Bolts Oct. 14 win over Oakland…on Raiders’ first drive of third quarter, broke up pass on 3rd-and-6 play to force punt…Chargers drove 68 yards for touchdown and 21-7 lead on ensuing possession…then, on Raiders’ next possession, recorded first-career interception off Daunte Culpepper on third-and-13 deep pass to Jerry Porter…
named Associated Press NFL Player of Week and Sports Illustrated.com Defensive Player of Week after scoring two touchdowns Oct. 28 vs. Houston for first two scores of career…recovered errant punt snap in end zone for first TD and scored second on 70-yard interception return…became only second defensive player in team history to score two return touchdowns in same game…“Speedy” Duncan was first, scoring on 100-yard interception return and 35-yard fumble return Oct. 15, 1967 vs. Kansas City…finished Texans’ game with two interceptions, becoming first Chargers cornerback since 2003 to do so…second interception and 21-yard return in second quarter set up touchdown that gave Chargers 35-3 lead…
in addition to two picks, led team with three passes defensed, including one on third-and-15 play late in second quarter to force punt… AFC Special Teams Player of Week, as well as Sports Illustrated.com and USA Today.com Special Teams Player of Week after setting NFL record with 109-yard return of missed field goal Nov. 4 at Minnesota…play occurred on last play of first half as 57-yard field goal fell short and into waiting arms of Cromartie...was third touchdown return in two weeks…also partially blocked punt attempt in Vikings game…making first-career start in place of injured Quentin Jammer (hamstring), named AFC Defensive Player of Week, GMC Defensive Player of Week, Sports Illustrated.com Defensive Player of Week and Pro Football Weekly Player of the Week after tying team record with three interceptions off Indy’s Peyton Manning Nov. 11 on NBC Sunday Night Football…11th time in team history that player recorded three interceptions in game…third-interception, which was highlight-reel quality one-handed leaping pick, led to LaDainian Tomlinson touchdown that gave Bolts 23-0 lead at time…had all three picks in first half, most interceptions in one half of game since Stevon Moore of Cleveland had three in first half at Houston Oilers on Sept. 17, 1995...became first Chargers player since Chris Fletcher in 1975 to have six picks in four-week stretch…replaced Drayton Florence in starting lineup vs. Baltimore Nov. 25…named AFC Defensive Player of Month for December…collected his seventh and eighth of season Dec. 2 at Kansas City…picked off both passes in end zone to eliminate 14 potential points in game Bolts won by 14 points, 24-10…collected first pick in first quarter while covering veteran Eddie Kennison and second in fourth quarter while covering perennial Pro Bowler Tony Gonzalez…tied Charlie McNeil’s 46-year old team record with ninth interception of season, Dec. 9 at Tennessee…Titans only threw two passes in his direction, one was intercepted and second was broken up and nearly picked as well…intercepted 10th pass of season on first play of fourth quarter Dec. 16 vs. Detroit…set new single-season team record for interceptions, breaking mark set 46 years earlier by Charlie McNeil of nine in 1961…Cromartie recorded all 10 of his picks in nine game stretch and was only starter for last six…McNeill recorded his nine picks in 11-game stretch in ’61…also recovered fumble on kickoff return that Bolts converted into third quarter field goal for 44-7 lead…intercepted fourth pass of season off Peyton Manning late in second quarter of Jan. 13 AFC Divisional Playoff game at Indianapolis…returned pick 89 yards for apparent touchdown, but phantom holding penalty behind play negated score and return was reduced to 30 yards…earlier in contest, helped set up Chargers’ first touchdown of game as Marvin Harrison fumbled while being tackled by Cromartie after catch…Marlon McCree recovered fumble and Bolts’ offense responded with 78-yard touchdown drive that tied the game, 7-7…intercepted Tom Brady in end zone on third-and-two play with 3:05 remaining in third quarter and Chargers down 14-12 in Jan. 20 AFC Championship Game at New England…tied Pro Bowl record with two interceptions in Feb. 10 all-star contest at Honolulu’s Aloha Stadium and added tackle for loss…tackled Terrell Owens for three-yard tackle for loss on third-and-five play early in first quarter…intercepted first pass early in second quarter on tipped ball intended for Chris Cooley at AFC’s 15-yard line…returned that pick 56 yards to NFC 29, setting up touchdown four plays later that gave AFC 24-7 lead…intercepted second pass on third-and-five play late in third quarter, returning it 21 yards to AFC’s 42-yard line.
2006: Saw action Weeks 1-16 and in AFC Playoff game on defense and special teams...made outstanding play in single coverage to break up deep pass near goal line intended for Torry Holt in Oct. 29 game against St. Louis...had perhaps best day as pro in Chargers’ 32-25 win over Cleveland Nov. 5...in first quarter with score tied 3-3, chased down NFL’s leading punt returner Dennis Northcutt as he appeared on way to 91-yard touchdown return...was able to catch him from across field and force out of bounds at 10-yard line...instead of touchdown, San Diego’s defense held Cleveland to field goal and kept score at 6-3 instead of 10-3...made even bigger play on special teams late in third quarter...with Cleveland up 12-10, Chargers punted from Browns’ 37-yard line and he made great play to get downfield and down ball at two-yard line...San Diego’s defense forced three-and-out on ensuing drive and after Browns punt, LaDainian Tomlinson scored touchdown on 41-yard run on first play to give San Diego lead for good at 17-12...on top of it all, Cromartie finished game with team-high two special teams tackles...helped force third quarter three-and-out in Chargers Nov. 19 win at Denver...with Chargers’ trailing 24-14, broke up deep pass intended for Rod Smith on first-down play...after three-and-out, Bolts scored TD to climb back within 24-21...set up Chargers’ first touchdown of Oakland game Nov. 26 with 91-yard kickoff return...it tied for seventh-longest in team history and was Bolts’ longest since Ronney Jenkins 93-yarder against Raiders in Oakland Nov. 18, 2001...LT scored on four-yard run two plays after KOR...teamed with Kassim Osgood to down punt at two-yard line in second quarter of Dec. 3 game at Buffalo...afterward, defense forced three-and-out and offense scored TD before end of half to take 17-0 lead to locker room...helped set up touchdown that gave Chargers 21-3 lead over Denver Dec. 10 with 45-yard kickoff return...collected two special teams tackles Week 15 at Seattle...had big pass breakup on third-and-two play early in fourth quarter of playoff game...after punt, Bolts drove 83 yards for touchdown to take 21-13 lead.
COLLEGE: First-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection in 2004…scored three touchdowns during his career including two interception returns of 40 and 71 yards and fumble return of 61 yards…made only start of career in 2004 Gator Bowl against West Virginia…redshirted in 2005 due to knee injury suffered during preseason voluntary workout…was one of only five true freshmen to letter for Seminoles in 2003…also ran track at Florida State and was member of school’s 2004 ACC championship track team running sprints and hurdles…played at Florida State from 2003-05…majored in social science.
PERSONAL: Born April 15, 1984 in Tallahassee, Florida…2002 USA Today National Defensive Player of Year and Parade Magazine All-America as defensive back at Lincoln High School in Tallahassee…led Lincoln to Class 4A state title as junior and record of 12-1-1 as senior…also saw time as running back, wide receiver and kick returner…finished career with 10 interceptions and 27 touchdowns, including 22 on offense, four on special teams and one on defense…multi-sport star averaged 14 points and nine rebounds on school’s basketball team…lettered in track running 110-meters and 4x100 meter relay.
Cromartie, the Chargers’ 2006 first-round draft choice out of FloridaState, led the NFL with 10 interceptions, becoming only the second player in team history to do so, joining Charlie McNeil (1961). Cromartie became an All-Pro; he garnered several votes as the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year and he became the first Chargers cornerback to make the Pro Bowl since Gill Byrd in 1993. Although Cromartie started just six games, his impact was profound. He recorded at least one interception in each of the last three games and all 10 of his interceptions came in the team’s last nine contests.
Cromartie’s coming out party took place in a span of three weeks in late October and early November. On Oct. 28 against Houston, Cromartie scored two touchdowns, recovering an errant punt snap in the end zone and returning an interception 70 yards for a score. They were his first-career NFL TDs. A week later in Minnesota, Cromartie set an NFL record that will never be broken when he returned a missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the first half. The following week, Cromartie turned in his crown-jewel performance of the season in front of a national-television audience on NBC’s Sunday Night Football when he racked up a career-high three picks against Indianapolis’ Peyton Manning, the reigning Super Bowl MVP. Cromartie’s three picks off Manning, which all took place in the first half, included a one-handed leaping interception that made just about everyone’s highlight reel.
Including the Indianapolis game, Cromartie had three multi-pick games during the season, one shy of the NFL single-season record. Cromartie added two more picks in the postseason and was one of only seven players to intercept multiple passes in the playoffs. He intercepted Manning once again in the Chargers-Colts Jan. 13 Divisional Playoff Game at the RCA Dome and added another a week later against Tom Brady in the AFC Championship Game.
Antonio left FloridaState after playing just two seasons in Tallahassee. His collegiate career started with great promise as he was one of only a handful of true freshmen to letter in 2003. He delivered another solid season in 2004, earning first-team All-ACC honors despite starting only one game. The reason Cromartie left school early was because in 2005, while preparing for his junior season during a voluntary workout, he injured his knee while defending a pass in a one-on-one drill. The injury required surgery, forcing him to sit out the entire season. After the injury, Antonio worked diligently in his rehabilitation and exceeded the medical timetable that the doctors and trainers had set for him.
Antonio was planning to return to Florida State for the 2006 season, but days before his team played in the 2006 Orange Bowl, he got a phone call from his mom, Cassandra, informing him that she’d been diagnosed with breast cancer. With his mom facing a life-threatening illness, and a young son at home, Cromartie decided it was best for his family if he were to leave Florida State and make himself available for the 2006 NFL Draft. The Chargers are glad that he did and they demonstrated it by making him the 19th pick in the first round.
Antonio grew up in Tallahassee so it was only natural that he enrolled with the hometown Seminoles. Interestingly, he had never been to a game at FSU’s Doak Campbell Stadium until he was recruited by FloridaState.
Cromartie comes from a very athletically gifted family. He is the cousin of former Major League outfielder Warren Cromartie, a career .281 hitter who played 11 seasons with the Montreal Expos and Kansas City Royals. Another cousin, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie recently finished his college career at Tennessee State University and is expected to be among the first cornerbacks selected in the 2008 NFL Draft. Antonio also is often compared to another very talented athlete, former Florida State and NFL cornerback and return specialist, Deion “Prime Time” Sanders. The two are close friends and speak frequently throughout the year.
While Antonio’s superior speed and athleticism have tricked a few people into thinking that he could fly, he had the chance to take flight with some of the nation’s best in March when he received a special invitation to fly in an FA-18 Hornet with the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels from their base in El Centro, California. Cromartie stayed awake during the entire 45-minute flight, which saw his FA-18 exceed speeds of 800 mph while the gravitational pull neared 6 Gs.
Cromartie, who now has two sons, Alonzo and Jaden, plans to wed this June in Atlanta.
His hobbies include playing basketball, watching movies and collecting trading cards. He estimates that his collection numbers around 2,000 pieces and one of his best cards is that of Chargers Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts. Cromartie also spends time looking after his four dogs: Noah, Bear, Serena and Diamond.
Career Stats
