Davin Joseph

Davin Joseph

Joseph on a United Service Organizations tour in Afghanistan in 2013
No. 75
Position:	Offensive guard
Personal information
Born:	(1983-11-22) November 22, 1983 Hallandale, Florida
Career information
College:	Oklahoma
NFL draft:	2006 / round: 1 / pick: 23
Career history
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2006–2013)
Career highlights and awards
2× Pro Bowl (2008, 2011)
Career NFL statistics as of 2013
Games played: 98 Games started: 97

Davin Joseph (born November 22, 1983) is a free agent American football guard of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Oklahoma. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round (23rd overall) in the 2006 NFL Draft.

Early years

Joseph was born in Hallandale, Florida and is of Haitian descent. He played high school football at Hallandale High School. While there he was a four-year starter at both guard and defensive line and played in a school-record 532 plays. During his senior year he was the Broward County Defensive Player of the Year and was awarded All-State after recording 100 tackles and 24 sacks. He was also a two-time 2A state and a national wrestling champion at heavyweight in Florida.

College career

Joseph played college football at Oklahoma. During his freshman year he was named Freshman All-Big 12 by The Sporting News. As a senior he was a consensus First-Team All-Big 12 selection. He finished his career playing in 50 games with 29 starts at guard and 11 starts at left tackle.

Professional career

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Joseph was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23rd overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. During his rookie season he started 12 of 13 games at right guard. In his second season in the NFL he became a full-time starter, starting all 16 games at right guard for the buccaneers. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl after the 2008 season as a substitute. On Jul 28, 2011, Joseph agreed to terms with the "Bucs" on a seven-year, $53 million contract including $19 million guaranteed. He was selected to his second Pro Bowl during the 2011 season.

In the third preseason game against the New England Patriots in 2012, Joseph hurt his knee when teammate Donald Penn blocked defensive end Chandler Jones into his knee. Joseph was later placed on injured reserve, ending his season.

Joseph was released by Tampa Bay on March 8, 2014.

Philanthropy

In 2011, Davin Joseph established the Davin Joseph Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization devoted to enhancing the athletic and performing arts programs in three Title-One public schools in Tampa and Hallandale, Florida, respectively. By instituting structured student programs designed to improve their athletic programs, the organization aims to encourage greater community involvement centered on supporting its youth. The focus of the foundation provides inner city schools and community based clubs with the support they need to enhance their athletic and performing arts programs designed to improve youth participation, health, and educational performance. Thus far, the Foundation has adopted three high schools and has implemented several programs aimed at student development.

Awards

Davin Joseph won several awards such as :

• Induction in the Broward County Athletic Association Wrestling Hall of Fame (2013)
• Byron “Whizzer” White Award (2012)
• City of Hallandale Beach, FL and its Mayor proclaimed July 12-14 forever recognized as Davin Joseph Football Week (2012)
• Featuring on Fox13, Tampa’s local news station for “What’s Good in Tampa Bay?” segment (2012)
• Cover story in “Focus Magazine”, recognizing his commitment to the community of Tampa, FL (2011)

External links

• Official website
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers bio