Antwan Odom
Team: Cincinnati Bengals
No. 98
Position: Defensive End
Personal information
Date of birth: September 24, 1981 (age 28)
Place of birth: Bayou La Batre, Alabama
Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight: 280 lb (127 kg)
Career information
College: Alabama
NFL Draft: 2004 / Round: 2 / Pick: 57
Debuted in 2004 for the Tennessee Titans
Career history
As Player:
- Tennessee Titans (2004–2007)
- Cincinnati Bengals (2008-present)
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards: AFC Defensive Player of the Month (September 2009)
Born in the Bayou, Antwan Deon Odom was born on September 24, 1981, in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. Odom first gained recognition for his football talents while playing for his hometown high school, Alma Bryant High School, where he highlighted at the Defensive End position. After graduating from high school, Odom furthered his academic and athletic skills as he became a part of the Crimson Tide at the University of Alabama. His professional career began in 2004 when he was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the NFL Draft.
College Career
Odom compiled quite a healthy record while sporting the Crimson colors during his five years of collegiate play for the University of Alabama. In his recorded 39 games of play, Odom earned 98 tackles, 21 sacks, and 26 tackles for losses.
His first year at Alabama earned him an honorable mention by Rivals.com for Freshman All-American. As a freshman, Odom started two games and made appearances in every game his first season. Odom’s sophomore year of collegiate play was ended abruptly due to a torn labrum. He commenced his second year of play as a red shirt with a boom, not missing a game of the season and recording 42 tackles and 10 sacks on the year.
Odom was named to the All-Southeastern Conference after registering 40 tackles, 8 sacks, and 9.5 tackles for loss during his junior season. Later, he received the team's Dwight Stephenson Most Valuable Lineman Award.
Professional Career
Odom began his professional career in 2004 when he was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans. Chosen to fulfill the key defensive lineman position for the Titans, Odom was the third pick for the “Rocky-top” team and 57th overall pick in the draft.
Starring for the Titans, Odom completed four seasons and highlighted some of his best moments in his NFL career, to date. In the 2007-2008 season, Odom recorded a total of 8.0 sacks, ultimately helping the Titans advance to the playoffs; this marked their first playoff appearance since 2002.
After posting several impressive records as part of the Titan lineup, Odom became one of the fourteen free agents that emerged from the Titans in 2008. It was during his free agency that Odom emerged as a Cincinnati Bengal. Odom’s first season with the Bengals was limited as he struggled with several injuries. However, not too long into the 2009 season, Odom quickly began rebuilding his outstanding statistical repertoire by tying the Bengals franchise record when he sacked the Green Bay Packers quarterback five times in a single game.
Most recently, ESPN broadcasted that Odom would be out for the rest of the season due to the tearing of his Achilles tendon during the week six match versus the Houston Texans.
Personal Life
Odom is the loving father of four boys and a daughter. In his spare time, Odom enjoys fishing and hunting. He is also a NASCAR racing and pro-wrestling enthusiast.
Odom earned a degree in Human Environmental Studies upon completing his course work at the University of Alabama.