Darrelle Revis

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Lore & Background

Revis's arrival in New York was immediate and impactful, driven by a contract negotiation that required his mother to fly from Pittsburgh to expedite the process before he signed on August 15, 2007. Head coach Eric Mangini likened Revis's talents to Ty Law, expecting him to contribute immediately as the first Jets rookie cornerback starter since Ray Mickens in 1996. By his second season, Revis had become the NFL's preeminent lockdown corner, drawing comparisons to legends Deion Sanders and Rod Woodson. In a pivotal moment against the Arizona Cardinals, he intercepted two Kurt Warner passes, returning one 32 yards for his first NFL touchdown. His presence was so formidable that opposing teams often attacked rookie cornerback Dwight Lowery instead of testing Revis's side of the field, even as the Jets' overall pass defense struggled to rank higher than 28th.

In Their Own Story

The atmosphere shifted in Week 5 of the 2009 season when Revis faced the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football. In a rare blemish on his otherwise stellar year, he was beaten by wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. for a 53-yard touchdown reception during a 31–27 loss. However, this isolated incident did not diminish his reputation. Earlier that season, in a matchup against the New England Patriots, Revis matched up against Pro-bowl receiver Randy Moss and limited him to just four receptions for 24 yards, a stark contrast to the 14 catches for 141 yards Moss had recorded the week prior. Revis also secured an interception against Tom Brady, helping the Jets defense become the first team since 2006 to stop the Patriots from scoring a touchdown. Former head coach Rex Ryan repeatedly declared Revis the "best" cornerback in the NFL and the best he had ever worked with.

Reader's Guide

Fans can trace Revis's rise through specific game moments that defined his career. In his rookie season opener against the New England Patriots, he recorded seven tackles and held Wes Welker to six catches for 61 yards in a 38–14 loss. He made his first interception during a Week 8 matchup against the division-rival Buffalo Bills. His college dominance at Pitt foreshadowed this success; during the 2006 Backyard Brawl, he executed a dynamic 73-yard punt return that was voted the best College Football Play of the Year and nominated for an ESPY Award. In the pros, his signature moments include preserving a 20–14 victory against the Miami Dolphins in 2008 by intercepting Chad Pennington in the end zone with five seconds remaining. These plays cemented his status as a player who could single-handedly alter game outcomes through coverage and special teams prowess.

Did You Know?

• Revis was the first Jets rookie cornerback to start since Ray Mickens in 1996.
• His college punt return of 73 yards against West Virginia in 2006 was voted the best College Football Play of the Year.
• In his senior year of high school, Revis averaged 25.2 points per game while leading Aliquippa to a WPIAL basketball championship.
• Revis intercepted Chad Pennington with five seconds remaining in a 2008 game against Miami to preserve a 20–14 victory.
• He was unable to participate in NFL Scouting Combine drills due to a strained hamstring but impressed scouts at Pitt's Pro Day.