Jeremiah Castille
Encyclopedia
Jeremiah Castille is an American
professional football player. A 5'10", 175-lb. defensive back
from the University of Alabama
, Castille was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
in the third round of the 1983 NFL Draft
. He played in six seasons in the NFL
from 1983–1988 for the Buccaneers and Denver Broncos
. Castille's best season as a pro was in 1985, when he recorded 7 interceptions. He finished his career with 14 interceptions, which he returned for 207 yards, and 3 fumble recoveries.
Castille played college football
for the Alabama Crimson Tide
and was on the last team coached by the legendary Bear Bryant
. Castille was a pallbearer at Bryant's funeral on January 28, 1983. Castille played for Alabama from 1979–1982, recording a school record 16 interceptions and making the College Football All-America Team
in 1982. In the 1982 Liberty Bowl
at the end of the season, Castille intercepted three passes in a 21–15 win and was selected as the game's MVP.http://www.rolltide.com/fls/8000/files/football/records/All_Americans.pdf
While playing for the Broncos during the 1987 AFC Championship Game
versus the Cleveland Browns
, Castille will forever be remembered for stripping the ball from Browns' running back
Earnest Byner
in a play called "The Fumble
". He also recorded an interception in Super Bowl XXII
, although this is not as widely remembered because his team ended up losing 42–10.
Two of Castille's sons, Tim
and Simeon
, also played in the NFL after playing college football at Alabama.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional football player. A 5'10", 175-lb. defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
from the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
, Castille was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
in the third round of the 1983 NFL Draft
1983 NFL Draft
The 1983 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 26–27, 1983...
. He played in six seasons in the NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
from 1983–1988 for the Buccaneers and Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Castille's best season as a pro was in 1985, when he recorded 7 interceptions. He finished his career with 14 interceptions, which he returned for 207 yards, and 3 fumble recoveries.
Castille played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
and was on the last team coached by the legendary Bear Bryant
Paul Bryant
Paul Bryant may refer to:* Bear Bryant , American football coach* Paul Bryant , , British disc jockey* Cubby Bryant , American radio personality...
. Castille was a pallbearer at Bryant's funeral on January 28, 1983. Castille played for Alabama from 1979–1982, recording a school record 16 interceptions and making the College Football All-America Team
College Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
in 1982. In the 1982 Liberty Bowl
Liberty Bowl
The Liberty Bowl is an annual U.S. American college football bowl game played in December of each year from 1959 to 2007 and in January in 2009 and 2010. The Liberty Bowl was sponsored by AXA Financial and was known as the AXA Liberty Bowl from 1997 to 2003...
at the end of the season, Castille intercepted three passes in a 21–15 win and was selected as the game's MVP.http://www.rolltide.com/fls/8000/files/football/records/All_Americans.pdf
While playing for the Broncos during the 1987 AFC Championship Game
AFC Championship Game
The American Football Conference Championship Game is one of the two final playoff matches of the National Football League, the largest professional American football league in the United States. The game is played on the penultimate Sunday in January and determines the champion of the American...
versus the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Castille will forever be remembered for stripping the ball from Browns' running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Earnest Byner
Earnest Byner
Earnest Alexander Byner is a former American football running back in the National Football League and is currently a running backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars...
in a play called "The Fumble
The Fumble
In American football, The Fumble refers to a specific incident in the AFC Championship Game between the Cleveland Browns and the Denver Broncos on January 17, 1988 at Mile High Stadium...
". He also recorded an interception in Super Bowl XXII
Super Bowl XXII
Super Bowl XXII was an American football game played on January 31, 1988 at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California to decide the National Football League champion following the 1987 regular season...
, although this is not as widely remembered because his team ended up losing 42–10.
Two of Castille's sons, Tim
Tim Castille
Timothy Nehemiah Castille is an American football fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Alabama.-Arizona Cardinals:Castille was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as...
and Simeon
Simeon Castille
Simeon Castille is an American football cornerback who is currently playing for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
, also played in the NFL after playing college football at Alabama.