PRO: Will Witherspoon is an 11-year veteran that has played both middle and outside linebacker during his NFL career.  The versatile defender is a sideline-to-sideline player who has been remarkably durable, having missed just two contests in his first 10 seasons.  He joined the Titans as a free agent in 2010 and immediately assumed a leadership role on the defense.  Prior to his arrival in Tennessee, he spent time with the Carolina Panthers (2002-05), St. Louis Rams (2006-09) and Philadelphia Eagles (2009).

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
• In his first 10 seasons, Witherspoon produced 32 double-digit tackle games, including playoffs.
• In 2010, his first season in Tennessee, his totals included 99 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions.
• Collected a career-best 16 tackles against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII.
• In 2007, was named the Rams’ MVP after leading the team with 136 tackles and tallying a career-high seven sacks. 

TITANS TIDBITS: 
• Witherspoon is the proud owner of Shire Gate Farm in Owensville, Mo., where he raises grassfed White Park Cattle.  The 500-acre farm is certified by Animal Welfare Approved (AWA), and Witherspoon’s team has gained notoriety for their use of high-welfare, sustainable farming techniques that almost entirely rule out the need for antibiotics. 
• In July 2012, Witherspoon was chosen to speak at a congressional briefing about the routine use of sub-therapeutic antibiotics in intensive livestock production. Witherspoon called on members of Congress to support the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA), designed to end the widespread use of antibiotics on healthy animals and curb the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
• In April 2012, Witherspoon was named one of the “50 Sexiest Environmentalists” by Rodale, publisher of Women’s Health and Men’s Health, for his sustainable farming efforts at Shire Gate Farm.  Witherspoon ranked seventh on the list, trailing only Gretchen Bleiler, Jessica Alba, Matt Damon, Alicia Silverstone, Ryan Gosling and Kate Middleton.
• In addition to his cattle farm, Witherspoon owns a pair of doggy day care facilities and is on schedule to receive an MBA from George Washington University in June 2013.
• Witherspoon’s teammates voted him the winner of the team’s 2010 Ed Block Courage Award, which is given to a player on each team who demonstrates a commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage.  Witherspoon suffered the loss of his mother, Nora Lee Cooper Witherspoon, the week of the 2010 season opener.  After spending time with his family, he returned to the team in time to lead the Titans to an inspired victory over the Oakland Raiders.
• The son of a retired military officer, Witherspoon was born in San Antonio, Texas, and has lived in Germany, England, Arizona and Florida.  With his father stationed abroad growing up, the family chose to live in the community instead of military bases so the children could broaden their education and experience different cultures.
• Witherspoon and former Panthers teammate, Dan Morgan, own and operate two dog day-care centers, Club K-9, in Charlotte, N.C. A true dog lover, he once had two Weimaraners, an English Mastiff, a Great Dane and a Great Swiss Mountain Dog at the same time when he lived in North Carolina. He currently has a German Shepherd back in Missouri.
• Due to the 2009 trade that took Witherspoon from St. Louis to Philadelphia and the two teams’ bye weeks (each of which he missed), he became one of just five players to play 17 games in a regular season in the bye era (since 1990).

CAREER TRANSACTIONS:
• The Panama City, Fla., native was originally selected by the Carolina Panthers in the third round (73rd overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft. 
• Signed as an unrestricted free agent with the St. Louis Rams on March 12, 2006.
• Traded by the Rams to the Philadelphia Eagles for wide receiver Brandon Gibson and a 2010 fifth-round pick on Oct. 20, 2009.
• Signed by the Titans as a free agent on March 10, 2010.

COLLEGE:

• Witherspoon was a three-year starter at Georgia and finished his Bulldogs career with 211 tackles, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, 3.5 sacks, seven passes defensed, and 15 quarterback pressures.
• Showed versatility throughout his collegiate career, starting at middle linebacker as a sophomore, strongside linebacker as a junior, and weakside linebacker as a senior.
• As a senior, started nine games and posted 43 tackles, a sack, one forced fumble, one pass defensed, and six quarterback pressures.
• Started 10 games at strongside linebacker as a junior in 2000, finishing third on the team with career-high 85 tackles while adding two sacks, one fumble recovery, four passes defensed, three quarterback pressures, and a team-high 10 special teams stops.
• Saw action in eight games, starting five at middle linebacker as a sophomore.
• Played in all 11 games as a true freshman, finishing with 50 tackles.
• Majored in agricultural engineering at Georgia.

PERSONAL: 
• Married to Rebecca with three daughters: Layne, Maya and Shaye.  Splits time between Nashville and Wildwood, Mo.
• Moved from defensive end to linebacker prior to the senior year at Rutherford High School in Panama City, Fla., and earned USA Today Player of the Year for Florida after leading team to 13-1 record and second-place finish in state playoffs.
• Also lettered in track, competing in 100- and 200-meters as well as the long jump.  Became the state long-jump champion as a senior with jump of 26 feet, 10.5 inches.
• A son of a retired military officer, Witherspoon has lived in Germany, England, and Arizona.  With his father stationed abroad, his family lived
in the community instead of military bases so the children could broaden their education and better experience that country’s culture.
• Enjoys speaking at schools and visiting children’s hospitals.
• Born William Cordell Witherspoon on Aug. 19, 1980 in San Antonio, Texas.