26 DESHEA TOWNSEND

 

2006 (16-12): Started 12 games while seeing action in all 16…finished with 47 tackles, including two sacks…also had two interceptions and forced two fumbles…9/7 vs. Miami: Started at RCB and logged 59 snaps…did not record a tackle…9/18 at Jacksonville: Started at RCB and registered six solo tackles and two pass defenses while logging 65 plays…9/24 vs. Cincinnati: Had one of the best games of his career…recorded eight solo tackles and a pass defense while logging 56 snaps…forced a fumble when he sacked Bengals QB Carson Palmer for a loss of nine yards…collected his 15^th career interception…10/8 at San Diego: Registered four solo tackles while logging 72 snaps…started his 50^th career game at RCB…10/15 vs. Kansas City: Did not start…logged 20 plays despite suffering a hamstring injury early in the week…logged three solo tackles and two pass defenses…10/22 at Atlanta: Saw 19 snaps in the nickel package and recorded one solo tackle…10/29 at Oakland: Returned as RCB starter after a hamstring injury limited him to play in the nickel packages…logged 46 plays and recorded one solo tackle and a pass defense...tipped a pass that would be intercepted by teammate Joey Porter...held the Raiders to 17 yards passing…11/5 vs. Denver: Logged 54 snaps…recorded three solo tackles and two pass defenses…11/12 vs. New Orleans: Logged 33 snaps before suffering a concussion and ankle injury…left the game and did not return…finished with one solo tackle, giving him 300 on his career…11/19 at Cleveland: Logged 23 snaps and recorded one solo tackle and one pass defense…11/26 at Baltimore: Started at LCB for the first time on the season…logged 55 snaps and recorded two solo tackles…12/3 vs. Tampa Bay: Started at RCB and collected five solo tackles and one pass defense…recorded one sack for a loss of eight yards…logged 58 snaps…12/7 vs. Cleveland: Collected three solo tackles in 44 snaps…12/17 at Carolina: Played 56 snaps and collected five solo tackles and one pass defense…12/24 vs. Baltimore: Helped the Steelers record two turnovers with a forced fumble and an interception, which led to the Steelers' late touchdown at the end of the first half…posted two solo tackles and one pass defense…12/31 at Cincinnati: Logged 30 plays and recorded two tackles (one solo) and one pass defense.

2005 (16-15/4-4): Finished with 55 tackles (43 solo), which was the second-highest total in his eight-year career…had 13 pass breakups to rank second behind only Ike Taylor on the team…totaled three sacks…also posted a sack in the Super Bowl and finished the postseason with 17 tackles…9/11 vs. Tennessee: Started at cornerback and played 47 defensive snaps…made six tackles (four solo)…9/18 at Houston: Played 58 defensive snaps and recorded five tackles (three solo) and one sack…9/25 vs. New England: Started at cornerback and played 72 snaps…finished with two solo tackles…10/10 at San Diego: Started and played 61 snaps…defensed two passes…10/16 vs. Jacksonville: Started at right corner before leaving the game with a hamstring injury…had two solo tackles in 24 snaps…10/23 at Cincinnati: Saw limited play due to a hamstring injury…logged 25 snaps and recorded three tackles (two solo) and a pass defense…10/31 vs. Baltimore: Totaled two tackles (one solo) and forced a fumble on the Ravens' Jamal Lewis deep in Baltimore's territory, which led to a field goal by K Jeff Reed…registered 75 plays…11/6 at Green Bay: Played 66 snaps and recorded five tackles (four solo) and a pass defense…11/13 vs. Cleveland: Logged 55 snaps and recorded four tackles (three solo) and two passes defensed…11/20 at Baltimore: Had his biggest game of the season…had his first interception of the season and returned it 26 yards…recovered a fumble and defensed two passes…finished with three tackles (two solo) on 81 snaps…11/28 at Indianapolis: Posted his second sack of the season and finished with four tackles on 62 snaps…12/4 vs. Cincinnati: Recorded a season-high seven tackles (six solo) on 64 snaps…12/11 vs. Chicago: Logged 30 snaps and recorded two solo tackles and a game-high three passes defensed in the first half...left the game late in the second quarter with a neck injury…12/18 at Minnesota: Started at RCB and recorded two solo tackles and two passes defensed…logged 50 defensive snaps…had a key interception in the end zone to prevent a Vikings' score at the end of the first half…12/24 at Cleveland: Recorded three solo tackles…had one sack for a loss of 12 yards…logged 48 plays…1/1 vs. Detroit: Started at RCB and played 59 snaps…recorded five tackles (three solo)…AFC Wild Card Game 1/8 at Cincinnati: Recorded six tackles (five solo) and defensed two passes…AFC Divisional Game 1/15 at Indianapolis: Recorded two solo tackles…AFC Championship Game 1/22 at Denver: Started at RCB and recorded three tackles (two solo)…Super Bowl XL 2/5 vs. Seattle: Started at RCB and recorded six tackles (five solo)…also recorded his first career postseason sack of Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck for a loss of five yards to end a late Seattle drive.

2004 (15-15/2-2): Recorded 59 tackles (47 solo), four sacks, four interceptions and 14 passes defensed...forced and recovered a fumble...his four interceptions were a career high while his 15 passes defensed led the team…9/12 vs. Oakland: Finished with four total tackles (two solo)…recorded his first interception of the season and the ninth of his pro career…also was credited with one pass defense…played 64 defensive snaps...9/19 at Baltimore: Played all 64 defensive snaps…recorded his first sack of the season…finished with seven total tackles (five solo)...9/26 at Miami: Recorded his second interception of the season, the 10th of his career…finished with five total tackles (four solo) and his second sack of the season…also was credited with two passes defensed...played all 61 defensive snaps...10/3 vs. Cincinnati: Finished with five total tackles—all solo…also was credited with two passes defensed…logged 66 defensive plays...10/10 vs. Cleveland: Led the team with three passes defensed…finished with three solo tackles…was credited with one quarterback hurry/pressure…played 58 defensive snaps...10/17 at Dallas: Finished with six total tackles (four solo)…also registered his third sack of the season…played all 63 defensive snaps...10/31 vs. New England: Recorded his team leading third interception of the season and returned it 39 yards for his second career TD…finished with two total tackles (one solo)…also was credited with three passes defensed….played 54 defensive snaps...11/7 vs. Philadelphia: Finished with two solo tackles…logged 37 defensive plays...11/14 at Cleveland: Registered his fourth sack of the season…finished with four total tackles (three solo) and caused a fumble...also recovered a fumble (forced by James Farrior)...11/21 at Cincinnati: Finished with three solo tackles and one quarterback hurry/pressure…logged all 46 defensive plays...11/28 vs. Washington: Recorded his fourth interception of the season, matching a career high…finished with four total tackles (three solo)…also was credited with two passes defensed...12/5 at Jacksonville: Finished with seven total tackles (six solo)…played 65 defensive snaps...12/12 vs. N.Y. Jets: Registered two solo tackles and one pass defense...12/18 at N.Y. Giants: Finished with one solo tackle…played 45 defensive snaps...12/26 vs. Baltimore: Registered four total tackles (three solo)…suffered a broken hand late in the fourth quarter…logged 49 defensive snaps...1/2 at Buffalo: Missed his first game of the season because of a broken hand...AFC Divisional Playoff Game 1/15 vs. N.Y. Jets: Returned to action despite his broken hand and made his second postseason start (2002)…finished with four total tackles (two solo)...AFC Championship Game 1/23 vs. New England: Finished with two solo tackles…also led the team with two passes defensed and a forced fumble.

2003 (16-8): Ended the season as the team's starting right corner and performed superbly…moved to left corner when Chad Scott was placed on the reserved/injured list…started the final eight games (four at each corner)…finished the season with 42 total tackles (36 solo) and a team-high 12 passes defensed…established a new career mark with three interceptions, all in the last two games…also was credited with a sack, one forced fumble, a fumble recovery and five special teams tackles (two solo)...11/9 vs. Arizona: Earned his first start of the season—the ninth of his career…had his first sack of the season…registered his first forced fumble on a sack that was recovered by Kimo von Oelhoffen and led to a Steelers TD…finished with five total tackles—all solo…also was credited with a quarterback hurry/pressure and one pass defense...12/14 at N.Y. Jets: Was credited with four total tackles (all solo)…played all 62 defensive snaps...led the team with three passes defensed…12/21 vs. San Diego: Produced the best day of his pro career...led the team with nine total tackles (eight solo) and accounted for three turnovers—two interceptions and a fumble recovery…returned his second interception of the game 25 yards for his first career TD…played all 66 defensive snaps...12/28 at Baltimore: Collected his third interception in two games in season finale...finished with two solo tackles and two passes defensed…played all 63 defensive snaps.

2002 (16-3/2-1): Had another solid season for the Steelers...finished with 31 total tackles (26 solo)...also had three interceptions...collected the first postseason interception of his career...also registered 15 special teams tackles (11 solo) and had eight passes defensed...9/9 at New England: Had one solo tackle in season-opener...9/15 vs. Oakland: Played 46 defensive snaps…finished with three solo tackles and one pass defense…was credited with one special teams tackle...9/29 vs. Cleveland: Played 31 defensive snaps…finished with two solo tackles…also had one pass defense...10/6 at New Orleans: Logged 19 defensive plays…finished with one solo tackle…also was credited with one pass defense...10/13 at Cincinnati: Collected his first interception of the season…played 44 defensive snaps…finished with one defensive tackle and two solo special teams tackles...10/21 vs. Indianapolis: Finished with five solo tackles…also was credited with a quarterback hurry/pressure and one special teams assist...10/27 at Baltimore: Collected his second interception of the season…finished with one tackle…also was credited with two quarterback hurries/pressures and two passes defensed...11/3 at Cleveland: Finished with two solo tackles…also was credited with a quarterback hurry/pressure and one solo special teams tackle...11/10 vs. Atlanta: Registered three total tackles (one solo)…nailed Michael Vick for a 14-yard loss…logged 39 defensive plays...11/17 at Tennessee: Finished with one tackle…was credited with two quarterback hurries/pressures...11/24 vs. Cincinnati: Recorded two solo tackles…played 36 defensive snaps...12/1 at Jacksonville: Had one quarterback hurry/pressure…played 26 defensive snaps...12/23 at Tampa Bay: Had increased playing time due to the injury to Chad Scott…finished with three solo tackles…also was credited with one pass defense...12/29 vs. Baltimore: Earned his first start of the season and responded admirably…recorded a big interception in end zone during the first quarter to thwart a potential Baltimore scoring drive…finished with four total tackles (three solo) and one pass defense...AFC Wild Card Game 1/5 vs. Cleveland: Earned his first start in the postseason…finished with seven total tackles (six solo)…also was credited with two passes defensed...AFC Divisional Playoff Game 1/11 at Tennessee: Collected his first career postseason interception…finished with three solo tackles.

2001 (16-1/2-0): Had one of the best games of his pro career in the last game of the season when he collected the first two interceptions of his career…finished with 21 total tackles (19 solo)...also recorded two sacks and nine passes defensed...9/9 at Jacksonville: Started the fifth game of his NFL career for the injured Chad Scott in season-opener…logged 53 defensive plays…finished with three solo tackles, one pass defense, and a quarterback hurry/pressure...10/14 at Kansas City: Logged 21 defensive plays…had one tackle...10/21 at Tampa Bay: Registered his first sack of the season…logged 35 defensive plays…finished with one solo tackle...10/29 vs. Tennessee: Logged 21 plays…finished with one solo tackle…also was credited with one pass defense...11/4 vs. Baltimore: Played eight defensive snaps…was credited with two tackles, including his second sack of the season, which forced a fumble...11/11 at Cleveland: Logged 19 defensive plays…finished with one tackle…was credited with one quarterback hurry/pressure and one pass defense...11/18 vs. Jacksonville: Played 24 defensive snaps…was credited with one tackle, one quarterback hurry/pressure and two passes defensed…1/6 vs. Cleveland: Collected the first two interceptions of his career…also registered four total tackles (three solo)...AFC Divisional Playoff Game 1/20 vs. Baltimore: Finished with one solo tackle...AFC Championship Game 1/27 vs. New England: Recorded one solo tackle…also was credited with one special teams tackle.

2000 (16-0): Finished the season with 20 total tackles, including 18 solo stops…also recorded a then career high 3.5 sacks…was credited with nine pass defenses and 14 special teams tackles…9/3 vs. Baltimore: Logged 10 defensive plays…was credited with a special teams assist...10/1 at Jacksonville: Logged a season-high 51 defensive snaps…finished with three solo tackles…also was credited with his first career sack...10/8 at N.Y. Jets: Logged 25 defensive snaps…was credited with four solo tackles and two pass defenses...10/15 vs. Cincinnati: Had a particularly strong game on special teams…led the team with three special teams tackles (two solo)…logged 22 defensive plays…registered one tackle and one pass defense...11/26 at Cincinnati: Logged 17 plays…was credited with a sack for seven yards...12/3 vs. Oakland: Played 24 defensive snaps…finished with one tackle…was credited with one quarterback hurry/pressure, one pass defense and two special teams tackles...12/24 vs. Washington: Played 18 defensive snaps…finished with one tackle...12/24 at San Diego: Logged 20 defensive plays...recorded 1.5 sacks.

1999 (16-4): Started four games for the Steelers in place of the injured Chad Scott…finished the season with 31 total tackles, including 23 solo tackles…also had nine passes defensed and a forced fumble…was a solid special teams player, contributing nine special teams tackles…was a key component in the nickel and dime defenses…9/12 at Cleveland: Played mostly in passing situations and special teams in the season-opener…was credited with one pass defense...9/19 at Baltimore: Played in the Steelers nickel and dime defenses…tipped a pass that was intercepted by Dewayne Washington on the Ravens' initial drive of the game…finished with one total tackle, a pass defense and one special teams tackle...9/26 vs. Seattle: Played on 18 snaps…credited with one solo tackle...11/14 vs. Cleveland: Was forced into active duty when Scott suffered a right knee injury…suffered a concussion a few plays after Scott's injury that forced him from the game…finished with two solo tackles...11/21 at Tennessee: Made his first career start at left corner for the injured Scott...played on every defensive snap but one…finished with four total tackles (three solo) and one pass defense...11/28 vs. Cincinnati: Started his second straight game…finished with six total tackles, including three solo tackles...12/2 at Jacksonville: Finished with seven total tackles, including five solo tackles…also downed a punt at the Jacksonville one-yard line...12/12 vs. Baltimore: Started his fourth straight game but was replaced by Scott after suffering a mild ankle sprain.

1998 (12-0): Played in 12 games as a rookie and recorded 12 tackles (10 solo) and four passes defensed. 9/6 at Baltimore: Looked good early in his rookie debut in the season opener, but a sprained knee ligament forced him out of action for the game...10/18 vs. Baltimore: Returned to active duty for the first time since the season-opener...played 21 snaps, registering two tackles and a pass defense...nearly intercepted an Eric Zeier pass on the Ravens' final series of the game...11/1 vs. Tennessee: Registered two solo tackles, while seeing his most action of the season due to an ankle injury to Carnell Lake (33 plays)...11/9 vs. Green Bay: Played solidly in some key situations to help contain Green Bay's explosive passing attack...was credited with one pass defense...also had one tackle...11/15 at Tennessee: Registered one assist in his limited playing time...11/22 vs. Jacksonville: Was credited with one solo tackle and one special teams stop...12/6 vs. New England: Took 11 defensive snaps...12/20 vs. Cincinnati: Had two solo tackles...played on 19 defensive downs...12/26 at Jacksonville: Registered one solo tackle and a special teams tackle in the season finale.

COLLEGE: Started since his freshman year in college. 1997: Recorded 34 tackles and one sack during his senior season. 1996: Recorded 39 tackles, one sack, two interceptions and 14 passes defensed as a junior...named first-team All-Southeast Conference by the Associated Press and The Birmingham News...was voted second-team All-SEC in coaches' poll...returned six punts for 25 yards. 1995: Recorded 25 tackles and four interceptions as a sophomore...returned 13 punts for 75 yards...was a second-team All-SEC selection by the Associated Press...returned a blocked field goal 90 yards for a touchdown vs. Georgia. 1994: Started every game during his freshman year...had 31 solo tackles (39 total), one sack and one interception...returned 12 punts for 151 yards...majored in business management.

PERSONAL: Played both offense and defense in high school...accounted for 1,800 yards of offense and 18 touchdowns as a senior quarterback while leading South Panola High School to the 5A state championship in 1992...is the son of Willie and Lena Townsend...Full name: Trevor Deshea Townsend.