Thomas DeCoud

Thomas DeCoud (/deɪˈkuː/ day-KOO;^[1][2] born March 19, 1985) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft.

Thomas DeCoud

DeCoud in 2013
No. 21, 28
Position:	Safety
Personal information
Born:	(1985-03-19) March 19, 1985 (age 40) Oakland, California, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	196 lb (89 kg)
Career information
High school:	Pinole Valley (Pinole, California)
College:	California
NFL draft:	2008: 3rd round, 98th pick
Career history
Atlanta Falcons (2008–2013) Carolina Panthers (2014)
Career highlights and awards
Pro Bowl (2012)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 425 Sacks: 3.0 Forced fumbles: 4 Fumble recoveries: 3 Interceptions: 15 Defensive touchdowns: 1 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

DeCoud attended Glencove Elementary School and Hogan Senior High School in Vallejo, California, then attended Pinole Valley High School in Pinole, California and was a letterman in football and basketball. In football, as a senior, he was an All-ACCAL selection. In basketball, he was an All-ACCAL selection. DeCoud graduated from Pinole High School in 2003.

Professional career

Atlanta Falcons

DeCoud was selected with the 98th overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft.^[3]

Playing primarily on special teams in 10 games as a rookie, DeCoud recorded 6 tackles (5 solo). He had a breakout season the next year as he started all 16 games at free safety and compiled 68 tackles (57 solo), 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 7 pass deflections and 3 interceptions. After the season, DeCoud received recognition from USA Today, which listed him on its annual "All-Joe" team.^[4]

In a SportsCenter interview on September 27, 2012, Decoud played the "Meow Game" from the movie Super Troopers.^[5]

Decoud was released from the Falcons on March 11, 2014.^[6]

Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers signed DeCoud to a two-year deal on April 10, 2014.^[7] DeCoud made his first start for the Panthers in a 20-14 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 1.^[8] During the home opener in a 24-7 win against the Detroit Lions in week 2, DeCoud recorded 3 tackles and was responsible for a pass deflection deep downfield against Calvin Johnson which led to an interception by Melvin White.^[8][9] During the Panthers week 5 victory over the Chicago Bears, DeCoud recorded his first interception for the Panthers against Jay Cutler to go along with 4 tackles and a pass deflection.^[10] He was released on February 17, 2015.^[11]

NFL career statistics

Legend
	Led the league
Bold	Career high

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Tackles					Interceptions					Fumbles
		GP	GS	Cmb	Solo	Ast	Sck	TFL	Int	Yds	TD	Lng	PD	FF	FR	Yds	TD
2008	ATL	10	0	6	5	1	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2009	ATL	16	16	68	57	11	2.0	3	3	25	0	15	7	2	1	0	0
2010	ATL	16	16	75	57	18	0.0	0	1	0	0	0	4	2	0	0	0
2011	ATL	16	15	86	67	19	0.0	2	4	77	0	49	6	0	0	0	0
2012	ATL	16	16	76	62	14	1.0	4	6	42	0	24	9	0	1	0	0
2013	ATL	15	15	65	44	21	0.0	1	0	0	0	0	2	0	1	30	1
2014	CAR	15	11	49	34	15	0.0	0	1	35	0	35	3	0	0	0	0
		104	89	425	326	99	3.0	10	15	179	0	49	31	4	3	30	1

Playoffs

Year	Team	Games		Tackles					Interceptions					Fumbles
		GP	GS	Cmb	Solo	Ast	Sck	TFL	Int	Yds	TD	Lng	PD	FF	FR	Yds	TD
2008	ATL	1	0	3	3	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2010	ATL	1	1	4	3	1	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2011	ATL	1	1	9	7	2	0.0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2012	ATL	2	2	11	7	4	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0
2014	CAR	1	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
		6	4	27	20	7	0.0	2	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0

Personal life

DeCoud last coached football at California High School.