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The free safety for the NFL's New England Patriots turns 29 today.
McCourty, of Nyack, was born Aug. 13, 1987. He played college football for Rutgers University and was drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 2010 National Football League draft.
Listed as a defensive back on the Patriots' roster, McCourty has played both cornerback and safety during his career and has been named to the Associated Press All-Pro second team at both positions (cornerback in 2010, safety in 2013).
McCourty attended St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, N.J., where he played cornerback and free safety and was an all-league selection in his final two seasons. As a senior, he had 50 tackles and three interceptions. He also played basketball as a point guard.
McCourty attended Rutgers on a scholarship and played for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team beginning in 2005.
He was named an All-Big East Conference academic selection in his first two seasons.
McCourty started 13 games at cornerback in his 2008 junior season, picking up 57 tackles, one interception and a blocked punt. In his final season at Rutgers in 2009, McCourty started 13 games at cornerback, while still also working on special teams units.
He had a career-high 80 tackles and recorded one interception and 10 pass deflections. He also averaged 25.4 yards on kickoff returns and had a 98-yard kickoff return, third-longest in school history. Following the season, he was named to the All-Big East first team.
McCourty graduated from Rutgers with a bachelor's degree in sociology.Click here to follow Daily Voice Clarkstown and receive free news updates.
