Troy Vincent

Troy Darnell Vincent Sr. (born June 8, 1970) is an American sports executive and former professional football player who played cornerback for the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL).

Vincent enrolled at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1988.

He played cornerback for the Wisconsin Badgers and emerged as an All-American in 1991 under coach Barry Alvarez.

He was selected by the Dolphins as the seventh overall pick in the 1992 NFL Draft.

He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023.

By the time he entered the NFL draft in 1992, Vincent had set Badgers' all-time records for passes defended in a season (13) and career (31).

He finished his collegiate stint with 192 tackles, four interceptions and three punts returned for touchdowns, and was named team captain and MVP in his final season.

Vincent was drafted by the Miami Dolphins out of the University of Wisconsin–Madison as the seventh pick in the first round of the 1992 NFL Draft.

He became the Dolphins' starting left cornerback, and helped the Dolphins reach the AFC Championship Game his rookie year.

During his time in Miami, he intercepted 14 passes and was among the team leaders in tackles.

Vincent signed with his hometown team the Philadelphia Eagles in 1996, where he spent eight more seasons.

Vincent shares the record for the longest interception in Eagles history against the Dallas Cowboys in 1996; after teammate James Willis intercepted Troy Aikman four yards into the end zone, he ran 14 yards before lateraling to Vincent, who returned the interception 90 yards for a 104-yard touchdown.

Vincent made five consecutive Pro Bowls from 1999 to 2003.

In 2002, Vincent was the recipient of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

Prior to the 2004 NFL season, Vincent signed a free agent contract with the Buffalo Bills with the departure of cornerback Antoine Winfield.

During his time in Buffalo, Vincent transitioned from the cornerback position, which he had played all his career, to free safety.

In his first season as full-time safety in 2005, he had 66 tackles and a team-high four interceptions.

Vincent and starting strong safety Matt Bowen suffered injuries during the team's 2006 season opener.

In order to clear a roster spot, the Bills placed him on injured reserve on September 10 as he was expected to miss up to two months.

Once he was cleared to play, the Bills granted Vincent his release on October 13.

On October 16, Vincent signed a three-year contract with the Washington Redskins.

On November 5, 2006, against the rival Dallas Cowboys, Vincent recorded six tackles and had a crucial block on a 35-yard field goal attempt by kicker Mike Vanderjagt as time expired.

The block, along with a 15-yard face mask penalty, allowed the Redskins to return the ball into field goal range for kicker Nick Novak and win the game 22–19 with no time.

The improbable win is known as the "Hand of God" game.

He completed his studies at Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts.

He also holds executive education and advanced business certificates from several institutions, including Harvard, Stanford and the University of Pennsylvania.

In 2007 Vincent was named to the Philadelphia Eagles 75th Anniversary Team.

On February 22, 2007, the Redskins released Vincent.

He was inducted into the University of Wisconsin Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023.

Vincent studied urban planning and development at the University of Wisconsin.

On September 28, 2011, Vincent was named as one of the Preliminary Nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 in his first year of eligibility and each year since.

He was previously inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame for the Philadelphia Eagles and was entered into the Hall of Fame for the State of Pennsylvania, the University of Wisconsin and Pennsbury High School.

Vincent is currently the executive vice president of football operations for the NFL.

Troy Vincent was born in Trenton, New Jersey.

He spent his early childhood in east Trenton's Wilbur section, where he and his younger brother, Sam, were raised by their mother, Alma.

His athletic interests at the time centered on basketball.

Alma moved the family to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, before Vincent's seventh-grade year.

After a brief period in which Vincent returned to Trenton for his sophomore year, he returned to finish his secondary education at Pennsbury High School, where he was encouraged to try out for the football team and later starred for the Pennsbury Falcons.

He also played recreationally with the Morrisville Little Bulldogs.

Vincent announced the Philadelphia Eagles 2nd Round Draft Pick at the 2011 NFL Draft.