Anthony Poindexter

Anthony Scott Poindexter (born July 28, 1976) is a former American college and professional football player in the National Football League (NFL) for a single season. He played college football for the University of Virginia, and earned All-American honors. He was drafted late in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens, and he played professionally for the NFL's Cleveland Browns. He is currently the defensive backs coach for the University of Virginia.

Early years
Poindexter was born in Lynchburg, Virginia. He attended Jefferson Forest High School in Forest, Virginia, and played for the Jefferson Forest Cavaliers high school football team.

College career
Poindexter accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Virginia, and he played safety for coach George Welsh's Virginia Cavaliers football team from 1995 to 1998. He was compared to NFL players such as Ronnie Lott for his hard-hitting style. As a redshirt freshman in 1995, Poindexter teamed with fellow defensive back Adrian Burnim in one of the most famous plays in Cavalier history as the two stopped Florida State's running back Warrick Dunn inches from the endzone on the last play of the game which preserved Virginia's 33–28 victory over the Seminoles. That was the first time Virginia or any other ACC team had defeated the Seminoles in conference play. In 1996 he made a school record with 98 tackles and as a junior in 1997 he had his first All-American season with 78 tackles. As a junior Poindexter had the choice between declaring himself for the 1998 NFL Draft or staying in college for his senior year. Draft experts projected that he would likely be drafted in the first round, but Poindexter stayed at Virginia for his senior season. The Cavaliers were expected to have a very strong team and were ranked as high as the top ten. In the first seven games of the season, Poindexter made 73 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions.

In a game against N.C. State in 1998, Poindexter made a tackle on wide receiver Chris Coleman but he twisted his left leg and tore his ACL and two other ligaments. His season was over at Virginia and possibly his professional career. He could not participate in the NFL Scouting Combine or the Virginia Pro Day.

Professional career
His chances of getting drafted were slim and depended on the teams' doctors' opinions. It was the Baltimore Ravens who dared to take a chance on Poindexter by drafting him in the seventh round with the 216th overall pick. In his rookie-season he was placed on the injured reserve list and he returned for the Ravens' championship season in 2000. He played in 10 games on special teams where he caused one forced fumble. He did not play in Super Bowl XXXV however. Shortly after the game he was released, but was picked up by the Cleveland Browns in June. He was released again in September that same year and never played another NFL game.

Coaching career
Currently, Poindexter is the safeties coach for his alma mater's football team, the Virginia Cavaliers.

Anthony Poindexter