Pierson Prioleau
Encyclopedia
Pierson Olin Prioleau [PEER-sun PRAY-low] (born August 6, 1977 in Charleston, South Carolina
) is an American football
safety for the New Orleans Saints
of the National Football League
. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers
in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Virginia Tech
. He received a degree from Virginia Tech in interdisciplinary studies, graduating on May 14, 2011.
Prioleau has also played for the Buffalo Bills
, Washington Redskins
and Jacksonville Jaguars
.
at Virginia Tech
. As a freshman, he appeared in 11 games on special teams and as a reserve cornerback
and finished that season with 24 tackles (15 solo). As a sophomore, he started
every game at rover position, appeared in 809 total plays and finished with 71 tackles (41 solo). As a junior, he was named first-team All-Big East
and third-team All-America
by Sporting News. He posted 81 tackles (41 solo) and two sacks that year. As a senior, he started every game for the defense that led the Big East with only 12.9 points per game allowed. He finished with 61 tackles (41 solo) and two interceptions.
by the San Francisco 49ers
. While with the 49ers for the 1999 and 2000 seasons, Prioleau started 11 of 28 games he played in as a safety and corner, accumulating 81 tackles and one interception.
on November 7, 2001 but was inactive for first three games after joining the team. Prioleau was impressive when he saw action in the final six games. In his first full season with the Bills in 2002
, Prioleau started all 16 games at free safety for the first time in his NFL career. He finished fifth on the team with a career-best 86 tackles and also had 10 stops on special teams. In 2003, Prioleau appeared in all 16 games with six starts in his second full season in Buffalo. He posted 37 tackles, .5 sacks, four quarterback pressures and one forced fumble. In 2004, Prioleau played in all 16 games with two starts in final season with Buffalo. He totaled 37 tackles on the year.
in 2005
, Prioleau played in 15 games, had 43 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble.
On opening day 2006
, while playing in a game versus the Minnesota Vikings
, Prioleau injured himself during the opening kickoff
and spent the rest of the season on Injured reserve
.
on March 26, 2009. He re-signed with the Saints on March 5, 2010 and again on July 29, 2011.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
) is an American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
safety for the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
of the National Football League
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...
. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft
1999 NFL Draft
The 1999 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 17-18, 1999...
. He 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...
at Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech Hokies football
The Virginia Tech Hokies football team is a college football program that competes in NCAA Division I-FBS, in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They have more wins in team history than any other program in the ACC. Their home games are played at Lane Stadium which seats over...
. He received a degree from Virginia Tech in interdisciplinary studies, graduating on May 14, 2011.
Prioleau has also played for the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
and Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
College career
Prioleau played college footballCollege 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...
at Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech Hokies football
The Virginia Tech Hokies football team is a college football program that competes in NCAA Division I-FBS, in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They have more wins in team history than any other program in the ACC. Their home games are played at Lane Stadium which seats over...
. As a freshman, he appeared in 11 games on special teams and as a reserve cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
and finished that season with 24 tackles (15 solo). As a sophomore, he started
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
every game at rover position, appeared in 809 total plays and finished with 71 tackles (41 solo). As a junior, he was named first-team All-Big East
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
and third-team All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
by Sporting News. He posted 81 tackles (41 solo) and two sacks that year. As a senior, he started every game for the defense that led the Big East with only 12.9 points per game allowed. He finished with 61 tackles (41 solo) and two interceptions.
San Francisco 49ers
Prioleau was drafted in the 1999 NFL Draft1999 NFL Draft
The 1999 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 17-18, 1999...
by the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. While with the 49ers for the 1999 and 2000 seasons, Prioleau started 11 of 28 games he played in as a safety and corner, accumulating 81 tackles and one interception.
Buffalo Bills
Prioleau signed with the Buffalo BillsBuffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on November 7, 2001 but was inactive for first three games after joining the team. Prioleau was impressive when he saw action in the final six games. In his first full season with the Bills in 2002
2002 NFL season
The 2002 NFL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Football League.The league went back to an even number of teams, expanding to 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans. The clubs were then realigned into eight divisions, four teams in each...
, Prioleau started all 16 games at free safety for the first time in his NFL career. He finished fifth on the team with a career-best 86 tackles and also had 10 stops on special teams. In 2003, Prioleau appeared in all 16 games with six starts in his second full season in Buffalo. He posted 37 tackles, .5 sacks, four quarterback pressures and one forced fumble. In 2004, Prioleau played in all 16 games with two starts in final season with Buffalo. He totaled 37 tackles on the year.
Washington Redskins
In his first season with the Washington RedskinsWashington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
in 2005
2005 Washington Redskins season
The 2005 Washington Redskins began with the team trying to improve on their 6-10 record from 2004. The Redskins placed 2nd in the NFC East. Washington earned their first playoff berth since 1999.-Offseason:...
, Prioleau played in 15 games, had 43 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble.
On opening day 2006
2006 Washington Redskins season
The 2006 Washington Redskins began with the team trying to improve on their 10-6 record from 2005.-Offseason:After the end of the 2005 season, the Redskins were reported to be $20 million over the salary cap...
, while playing in a game versus the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
, Prioleau injured himself during the opening kickoff
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
and spent the rest of the season on Injured reserve
Injured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
.
New Orleans Saints
Prioleau signed a one year deal with the New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
on March 26, 2009. He re-signed with the Saints on March 5, 2010 and again on July 29, 2011.