Jan. 9, 2008
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Former UCF cornerback Asante Samuel will make his first appearance in Hawaii at the NFL's Pro Bowl this season on Sunday, Feb. 10 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. Samuel will start at cornerback for the AFC along with veteran Champ Bailey of the Denver Broncos.
Samuel and the New England Patriots capped off the first undefeated regular season in the NFL since the 1972 Miami Dolphins with a victory over the New York Giants on the final Saturday in December.
The Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., native had four tackles in that contest and finished the season with six interceptions and 44 tackles. He holds the NFL record for most interception returns for a touchdown in the playoffs with three as the Patriots prepare to face Jacksonville this Saturday, Jan. 12 in Divisional Round play. Samuel shares that distinguished record with former Oakland Raider great Willie Brown.
Samuel finished his UCF career with 127 tackles, eight interceptions and a school-record 38 passes defended. The former Knight introduced the starting line-ups for the UCF defense on the ESPN broadcast prior to the team's victory over Tulsa in the Conference USA Championship Game.