Valentino Blake

Valentino Antwon Blake (born August 9, 1990) is a former American football cornerback and special teamer. He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, and New York Giants. He played college football at Texas–El Paso (UTEP).

Antwon Valentino Blake
refer to caption
Antwon (Valentino) Blake with the Steelers.
No. 30, 38, 41, 47
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1990-08-09) August 9, 1990
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:Thurgood Marshall
(Missouri City, Texas) Terry Parker
(Jacksonville, Florida)
College:UTEP
Undrafted:2012
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:183
Sacks:1.0
Forced fumbles:2
Fumble recoveries:2
Interceptions:3
Defensive touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com

In September 2016, some believe that Blake changed his first name from Antwon to Valentino. This is not true; instead, Antwon joked with the press on media day and the joke was believed to be true.[1]

College career

He played college football at Texas-El Paso (UTEP) from 2008 to 2011. During his career at UTEP, Blake totaled 137 tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 interception.[2] He started every game his junior and senior years also started 1 game his sophomore season before suffering an ankle injury.

Professional career

Jacksonville Jaguars

Blake signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars following the 2012 NFL Draft as a rookie free agent.[3]

He was released on September 1, 2013.

Pittsburgh Steelers

On September 2, 2013, Blake was claimed on waivers by the Steelers. Blake would remain on the team over the next 3 seasons. He gathered his first interception during a Week 8, 2014 game against the Colts, picking off Andrew Luck.

In 2015, Blake became a starter. Though the Steeler pass defense was one of its worst in decades, Blake played a role. During Week 5, he picked off Philip Rivers, and ran it 70 yards for his first pick-six. He would have 2 more picks during the year, one in a Week 8 loss to the Bengals, and one against the Bengals in the Wild Card game.

Tennessee Titans

On March 17, 2016, Blake signed with the Tennessee Titans, reuniting him with former Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.[4]

New York Giants

On March 20, 2017, Blake signed with the New York Giants.[5] On August 23, 2017, the Giants placed Blake on the Reserve/Exempt list after leaving practice.[6] He was released on September 2, 2017.[7]

On September 5, 2017, Blake announced his retirement from the NFL.

References
  1. Wyatt, Jim. "What's In a Name? Titans CB Antwon Blake Explains". The Official Site of the Tennessee Titans. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  2. "Jaguars S, Antwon Blake Interview". Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  3. "Jaguars sign 17 rookie Free Agents". Jaguars.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  4. Titans Agree to Terms with CB Antwon Blake
  5. Eisen, Michael (March 20, 2017). "New York Giants sign QB Geno Smith, CB Valentino Blake". Giants.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017.
  6. Williams, Charean (August 23, 2017). "Valentino Blake leaves Giants". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
  7. "Giants Released CB Valentino Blake". NFLTradeRumors.com. September 2, 2017.
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