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CB WILL BLACKMON #27

6' 0" • 206 lbs. • Boston College

Exp: 4th NFL Season, 4th Packers Season
Age: 25
Acquired: Draft 2006 (4b)
Current Status: Injured Reserve

2008 Bio:

With three career punt returns for touchdowns, is tied with Desmond Howard for the franchise record
In 2008, became only the fourth player in team history to return multiple punts for touchdowns in the same season. Also led the team in special teams tackles with 18, giving him 29 in 29 career games, along with four TDs, all on special teams
Scored his first two NFL touchdowns in the same game in 2007, returning a punt 57 yards and recovering a fumble on a punt return vs. Oakland (Dec. 9) to earn ‘NFC Special Teams Player of the Week’. Marked first time a Packers player scored two special teams TDs in the same game in 38 years
A versatile athlete, lined up at cornerback (2002-04) and wide receiver (2005) at Boston College in addition to serving as the team’s return specialist
Registered 2,700 career kickoff return yards at BC, 222 yards shy of the Division I-A all-time mark, and earned all-conference honors in his final three seasons (Big East – 2003-04; ACC –2005)
Participated in the 2002 U.S. Army All-American game as a senior at Bishop Hendricken High School (R.I.) along with 10 other 2006 NFL Draft picks
Wears No. 27, his Pop Warner and high school number, after wearing No. 1 in college

Pro Summary

Dynamic athletic talent finally was on full display in his third season after injuries hampered his first two years
Became a special-teams standout in 2008 as both a return specialist and coverage player, running back two punts for touchdowns – only the fourth player in franchise history to accomplish that in one season – and leading the team with 18 special teams tackles, all of which landed him a spot on USA Today’s All-Joe Team, which recognizes productive players who get little fanfare
Ranked fourth in the NFC and ninth in the NFL with an 11.1-yard average on punt returns last season while also handling kickoff return duties
His combined 1,555 punt and kick return yards in 2008 ranks as the second-highest single-season total in franchise history
Also made an impact as a nickel and dime cornerback, posting 17 tackles and forcing two fumbles, by far his most extensive action on defense in three years
In 29 career games, has 29 special teams tackles and four touchdowns, all on special teams
His three career punt returns for touchdowns ties him for the franchise record with Desmond Howard
Had landed kickoff and punt return job with big runbacks in the second preseason game in 2007 vs. Seattle (Aug. 18), but suffered a thumb injury in the next game and began the regular season with a cast on his hand, relegating him to reserve corner duty
Then broke his foot Oct. 3, the same foot he broke as a rookie in mini-camp, and missed seven games
Resumed punt-return duties when healthy and scored his first two NFL touchdowns in the same game, returning a punt 57 yards for a score and recovering a fumble in the end zone to mark the first time a Packers player scored two special teams TDs in the same game in 38 years, but re-aggravated the foot injury in regular-season finale and missed both playoff games
Impressed early in mini-camps as a rookie before breaking his foot on one of the last plays of the final May camp
Suffered a setback in his rehab, in addition to a subsequent rib injury in Week 10, that limited him to just four games in 2006
Ability to make things happen with the ball is no surprise, having made the switch to wide receiver as a college senior to shore up a depleted receiving corps at Boston College
Prior to the 2006 NFL Draft, worked out with future teammate Greg Jennings and childhood hero Deion Sanders
A fourth-round selection in 2006, was the 14th BC player to be drafted by the Packers, the first since QB Matt Hasselbeck in 1998, and one of two defensive backs chosen by Green Bay in 2006
Born Oct. 27, 1984, was the youngest player on the league’s youngest team in 2006

2008 Season

Played in every game with one start
Ranked fourth in the NFC and ninth the NFL with a 11.1-yard avg. on 36 punt returns
One of only five players in the NFL to return two-or-more punts for touchdowns in 2008, and one of only four in Packers history, joining Howard (three in 1996), Billy Grimes (two in 1950) and Willie Wood (two in 1961)
Also had a 21.0-yard avg. on 55 kickoff returns
His 398 punt return yards tied for the third-highest single-season total in team history, his 1,157 kickoff return yards rank fourth, and his combined return yardage total of 1,555 is second in franchise annals
Recorded 17 tackles (16 solo), two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery on defense, seeing time as nickel and dime back, and led the team with a career-high 18 special teams stops
Was on the field for 326 of the team’s 472 special teams plays (69.1 percent), which ranked third on the team, and landed a spot as a returner on USA Today’s All-Joe Team, which recognizes productive players who receive little fanfare
Vs. Minnesota (Sept. 8): Earned ‘NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors’ for the second time in his career as he returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter, a career long. Fielded the low kick from Chris Kluwe at the 24, started down the left sideline, just keeping his feet in bounds, before cutting across the field and running down the right sideline for the score
Vs. Dallas (Sept. 21): Saw time at nickel back after CB Al Harris left game in second quarter with spleen injury. Forced a fumble on a Marion Barber run in the fourth quarter and recovered the ball. Led team with three special teams tackles
At Tampa Bay (Sept. 28): Posted a 17-yard punt return and a 36-yard kickoff return and tied for team lead with two special teams stops. Served as nickel back with Tramon Williams taking Harris’ spot in the starting lineup and registered three tackles and a pass defensed
Vs. Atlanta (Oct. 5): Posted season-long 45-yard kickoff return in second quarter. Registered two tackles as nickel back and an additional stop on special teams
Vs. Indianapolis (Oct. 19): Started first game of season as team opened up in nickel package, matching up with WR Marvin Harrison much of the afternoon and holding him to just two receptions for 11 yards, his lowest yardage output of the season. Also recorded season-high four tackles
At Minnesota (Nov. 9): Returned Kluwe’s punt 65 yards for a touchdown with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter to give the Packers their first lead of the game at 24-21. The touchdown was his second of the season and he became the first NFL player since Cowboys WR Wane McGarity (vs. Arizona, 2000) to post a punt return for a score against the same team in two different games in a season. Also had a 31-yard kickoff return out to the Green Bay 41 late in the fourth quarter
At New Orleans (Nov. 24): Returned three punts for 50 yards, including a game-long 27-yard return down to the New Orleans 37 to set up Green Bay’s first touchdown of the contest. Had season-high eight kickoff returns for 159 yards (19.9 avg.) and led team with two special teams tackles
Vs. Houston (Dec. 7): Served as nickel back with Williams starting and Charles Woodson at strong safety, and matched season high with four tackles. Tied for team lead with three special teams tackles and had 99-yard kick return for touchdown in the second quarter nullified by holding penalty
At Jacksonville (Dec. 14): Saw limited action as nickel back and forced a fumble on a run by QB David Garrard in the fourth quarter that Garrard recovered at the Green Bay 2
At Chicago (Dec. 22): Led team with a career-high four tackles on special teams and posted two 32-yard kickoff returns, including one out to midfield late in the fourth quarter with score tied at 17

2007 Season

Played in nine games with one start and listed as inactive for the other seven contests plus both playoff games
On defense, had three solo tackles and two passes defensed, plus eight tackles on special teams and two touchdowns, both in the same game
Returned eight punts for 106 yards and a TD
After winning return job with big preseason showing vs. Seattle (Aug. 18), suffered a thumb injury in the next preseason contest vs. Jacksonville (Aug. 23) and began the season with a cast on his hand, unable to perform in return role
Saw action in the first four games, broke his foot during Oct. 3 practice and missed seven contests, returned for final five games of regular season, but aggravated foot injury and missed postseason
At Minnesota (Sept. 30): Filled in at nickel for Jarrett Bush when Harris went out for several plays with a hand injury, coming away with his first pass defensed of the season and his first career solo tackle; PBU was nearly an interception, but cast prevented him from catching the ball. In the third quarter, downed a 54-yard Jon Ryan punt on the Minnesota 7-yard line
Vs. Oakland (Dec. 9): Earned ‘NFC Special Teams Player of the Week’ for his two-touchdown outing. Fielded a second-quarter punt on the run, and returned it 57 yards for his first career touchdown. On a third-quarter Packers punt, Jason Hunter forced PR Tim Dwight to fumble, and the ball was inadvertently kicked. Eventually landed on it in the end zone for his second score. It was the first time the same Packers player recorded two special teams touchdowns in a game since Travis Williams at Pittsburgh on Nov. 2, 1969
Vs. Detroit (Dec. 30): Made his first career start, filling in for Woodson (coach’s decision), recording one solo tackle. Left the game in the second quarter after aggravating his prior foot injury and was inactive for both playoff games

2006 Season

Spent the first 11 weeks on the 53-man roster, playing in four games while inactive for seven before being placed on injured reserve Nov. 25
Saw most of the action during his rookie season in ‘nickel’ and ‘dime’ packages, in addition to special teams duty
Was in on 11 snaps and posted one pass defensed, in addition to three special teams stops
Missed all of training camp after breaking his right foot during a May 21 mini-camp practice and was unable to practice until Sept. 4, three days after the preseason finale
Suffered additional setback in Week 2 practice and remained inactive until returning to practice Oct. 10 during bye week
At Miami (Oct. 22): Made pro debut, seeing action mostly on special teams with 10 snaps at left cornerback, posting one pass defensed and one special teams tackle
At Minnesota (Nov. 12): Played exclusively on special teams, tallying two special teams tackles, but suffered a rib injury and ultimately landed on injured reserve Nov. 25
2006 Draft: Second of the Packers’ two selections in the fourth round (115th overall), taken with choice from Philadelphia acquired with the Eagles’ sixth-round selection (185) for Green Bay’s fourth-round choice (109)

College

A three-year starter (2003-05), played in 48 games, including 34 starts
Spent his first three years at cornerback (22 starts) before switching to wide receiver as a senior and proceeded to lead team in catches and receiving yards
Earned all-conference distinction his final three seasons
Finished his career with 141 tackles (104 solo), eight interceptions among 22 passes broken up, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two tackles for loss at cornerback; recorded 3,995 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns as a wide receiver and return specialist
Fell just 222 yards shy of the NCAA Division I-A kickoff-return yardage record, a mark set by Tulane’s Jeff Liggon (1993-96)
Also established a number of school records, including career kickoff-return yardage (2,700), career kickoff returns (110), single-season kickoff-return yardage (922) and single-season kickoff returns (36)
Earned B.A. in English
Senior season (2005): Started all 12 games at wide receiver but saw action on both sides of the ball
Earned All-ACC second-team honors at WR
Led team in receptions (51) and receiving yards (763); his four touchdown catches ranked second on the team
Posted three 100-yard receiving games
Returned 22 kickoffs for 489 yards (22.2-yard average) and 15 punts for 132 yards (8.8-yard average)
Amassed a career-high 1,405 all-purpose yards and finished with two solo tackles in limited action at cornerback
In his final home game, against North Carolina State (Nov. 12), notched three receptions for a career-high 151 yards, including a career-long 61-yard reception
In the MPC Computers Bowl vs. Boise State (Dec. 28), had five receptions for 144 yards, including a 35-yard TD reception
Junior season (2004): Played in all 12 games, starting nine at cornerback, and became first player in school history to return both a punt and kickoff for a TD in the same season
A second-team All-Big East selection, finished with 46 tackles (30 solo), three interceptions among six passes broken up and forced a fumble
Returned 28 kickoffs for 762 yards (27.2-yard average) and 23 punts for 261 yards (11.3-yard average)
In season opener at Ball State (Sept. 2), returned kickoff a career-long 96 yards for a TD in the second quarter
At West Virginia (Nov. 13), ran back a punt 71 yards for a score
In the Continental Tire Bowl vs. North Carolina (Dec. 30), registered four solo tackles and five kickoff returns for a career-high 165 yards
Sophomore season (2003): Started all 13 games at cornerback
Earned second-team All-Big East honors
Recorded career highs in tackles (64), solo stops (50), interceptions (four), passes defensed (14), tackles for loss (two) and kickoff-return yardage (922 yards, a school record)
Also had a forced fumble and one fumble recovery
At Connecticut (Sept. 13), tallied career highs in tackles (14), solos (nine), and interceptions (two) while breaking up four passes and returning a kickoff 47 yards; awarded Big East Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts
Freshman season (2002): Saw action in 11 games, posting 29 tackles (22 solo), one interception among two passes broken up, one forced fumble and a recovered fumble
Made an immediate impact on special teams, returning 24 kickoffs for 527 yards (22.0-yard average) and three punts for 26 yards (8.7-yard average)
Registered 114 yards on four kickoff returns in his collegiate debut, vs. Stanford (Sept. 7)
In the Motor City Bowl vs. Toledo (Dec. 26), had five solo tackles, his first career interception and returned four kickoffs for 103 yards

Personal

Given name William Edwards Blackmon
Born in Providence, R.I.
Married to pop-star Shauna Danielle who is currently working on the release of her solo debut album through SRB/WARNER BROTHERS/SONY records
Father, Wayne, played football in junior college and was offered a tryout by the New York Jets
High school: Earned 2001 All-America first-team honors from USA Today, ESPN.com, SuperPrep and PrepStar as a senior at Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, R.I., which retired his No. 27 in 2008
Three-year letterman was selected to participate in the 2002 U.S. Army All-American Game played at San Antonio’s Alamodome
Starred for the East team on defense by registering four tackles, two recovered fumbles and an interception returned for 32 yards
Game featured 10 picks from the 2006 NFL Draft, including first-round selections Vince Young (Tennessee), Haloti Ngata (Baltimore) and Kamerion Wimbley (Cleveland)
Named Gatorade Rhode Island Player of the Year after his senior season, in which he rushed for 1,618 yards and 24 touchdowns
Also had 100 tackles and three interceptions
Chosen as the top player in New England by SuperPrep and PrepStar
A two-time all-state and three-time all-city honoree
Recorded 13 career interceptions
Lettered in track three years, winning the 100-meter dash in the Rhode Island state meet (10.87)
Trained with Sanders, his all-time favorite player, in preparation for the 2006 NFL Draft; also trained with other 2006 draft picks, including eventual teammate Jennings and Devin Hester (Chicago Bears)
Community involvement: Has funded and started a Pop Warner football team called the Providence Packers, which his father manages
Helped distribute 28,200 cans of soup to 30 Wisconsin area food pantries, as part of Campbell’s Chunky soup’s ‘Click for Cans’ online food drive
Has participated in the Edgar Bennett Celebrity Bowl-A-Thon and the United Way Hometown Huddle project, helping spread woodchips to complete a new playground area for local Beaumont Elementary School students
Also helped refurbish the Green Bay West H.S. football field as part of the Home Depot Neighborhood MVP program, in honor of teammate Daryn Colledge winning weekly MVP award
Rang the Salvation Army bell during the holidays to solicit donations and attended the team’s annual holiday party for families of children with cancer
Attended the Professional Athletes Outreach conference this past February; PAO is a ministry created for professional athletes and their families
Hobbies/interests: Worked as a reporter for local CBS affiliate, WFRV, in the week leading up to the 2007 NFL Draft, a career path he is considering once his playing days are over
Enjoys skateboarding, naming Chris Haslam as his favorite professional skateboarder
Also enjoys reading non-fiction novels (including books by Rick Warren, a pastor from California), surfing the Internet, cooking (especially Italian food), playing Wii, and watching Fuel TV and Curb Your Enthusiasm
Is also involved with his clothing line – which he and his best friend Pat Dipippo created – called Dirty Couture
Residence: Los Angeles, Calif.

Player Stats

			Tackles			Sacks		Interceptions					Fumbles
Year	GP	GS	Tot	Solo	Asst	Sk	Yds	No	Yds	Lg	TD	PD	FF	FR	Yds
2006 Green Bay	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
2007 Green Bay	9	1	3	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0
2008 Green Bay	16	1	17	16	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	1	0
NFL totals (three years)	29	2	20	19	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	2	1	0

		Kickoff Returns				Punt Returns
Year	No	Yds	Avg	Lg	TD	No	FC	Yds	Avg	Lg	TD
2006 Green Bay	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0
2007 Green Bay	1	3	3.0	3	0	8	0	106	13.3	57t	1
2008 Green Bay	55	1,157	21.0	45	0	36	11	398	11.1	76t	2
NFL totals (three years)	56	1,160	20.7	45	0	44	11	504	11.5	76t	3

Inactive for Packers' two games during 2007 playoffs

Additional statistics: Special teams tackles - 3 in 2006, 8 in 2007, 18 in 2008; NFL total: 29. Fumbles-lost - 4-0 in 2008. Miscellaneous fumble recoveries - 3 in 2008.

SINGLE-GAME CAREER HIGHS
Kickoff Returns
Returns: 8, at NO (11/24/08)
Yards: 159, at NO (11/24/08)
Long: 45, vs. Atl. (10/5/08)
Punt Returns
Returns: 4, at Sea. (10/12/08)
Yards: 78, vs. Min. (9/8/08)
Long: 76t, vs. Min. (9/8/08)

NFL debut: at Miami, 10/22/06
NFL first start: vs. Detroit, 12/30/07
First return touchdown: vs. Oakland, 12/9/07 (57 yards)
Additional touchdowns (3): vs. Oakland, 12/9/07 (special teams fumble recovery in end zone); vs. Minnesota, 9/8/08 (76-yard PR); at Minnesota, 11/9/08 (65-yard PR).

CAREER TRANSACTIONS
2006 Selected by Green Bay Packers as second of two fourth-round choices (115th overall) of '06 NFL Draft, April 30...Signed first contract, July 14...Placed on injured reserve (rib), Nov. 25.

CURRENT CONTRACT EXPIRATION: After 2009

ELIAS Game By Game Packers Stats
Game Date	Opp	Sacks	Kick Returns				Punt Returns
Game Date	Opp	Sacks	No	Yds	Avg	TD	No	Yds	Avg	TD
Sep 10, 2006	CHI	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Sep 17, 2006	NO	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Sep 24, 2006	@DET	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Oct 2, 2006	@PHI	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Oct 8, 2006	STL	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Oct 22, 2006	@MIA	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Oct 29, 2006	ARI	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Nov 5, 2006	@BUF	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Nov 12, 2006	@MIN	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Nov 19, 2006	NE	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Nov 27, 2006	@SEA	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Dec 3, 2006	NYJ	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Dec 10, 2006	@SF	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Dec 17, 2006	DET	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Dec 21, 2006	MIN	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Dec 31, 2006	@CHI	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
2006 Totals		0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Sep 9, 2007	PHI	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Sep 16, 2007	@NYG	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Sep 23, 2007	SD	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Sep 30, 2007	@MIN	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Oct 7, 2007	CHI	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Oct 14, 2007	WAS	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Oct 29, 2007	@DEN	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Nov 4, 2007	@KC	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Nov 11, 2007	MIN	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Nov 18, 2007	CAR	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Nov 22, 2007	@DET	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Nov 29, 2007	@DAL	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Dec 9, 2007	OAK	0	0	0	0.0	0	3	63	21.0	1
Dec 16, 2007	@STL	0	0	0	0.0	0	3	30	10.0	0
Dec 23, 2007	@CHI	0	1	3	3.0	0	1	8	8.0	0
Dec 30, 2007	DET	0	0	0	0.0	0	1	5	5.0	0
2007 Totals		0	1	3	3.0	0	8	106	13.3	1
Sep 8, 2008	MIN	0	3	69	23.0	0	3	78	26.0	1
Sep 14, 2008	@DET	0	4	99	24.8	0	2	4	2.0	0
Sep 21, 2008	DAL	0	5	79	15.8	0	2	12	6.0	0
Sep 28, 2008	@TB	0	5	95	19.0	0	2	21	10.5	0
Oct 5, 2008	ATL	0	4	110	27.5	0	0	0	0.00	0
Oct 12, 2008	@SEA	0	3	75	25.0	0	4	39	9.8	0
Oct 19, 2008	IND	0	0	0	0.0	0	3	26	8.7	0
Nov 2, 2008	@TEN	0	2	57	28.5	0	3	27	9.0	0
Nov 9, 2008	@MIN	0	3	65	21.7	0	2	75	37.5	1
Nov 16, 2008	CHI	0	2	28	14.0	0	1	3	3.0	0
Nov 24, 2008	@NO	0	8	159	19.9	0	3	50	16.7	0
Nov 30, 2008	CAR	0	4	85	21.3	0	3	23	7.7	0
Dec 7, 2008	HOU	0	4	73	18.3	0	2	8	4.0	0
Dec 14, 2008	@JAC	0	3	53	17.7	0	1	5	5.0	0
Dec 22, 2008	@CHI	0	2	64	32.0	0	2	7	3.5	0
Dec 28, 2008	DET	0	3	46	15.3	0	3	20	6.7	0
2008 Totals		0	55	1157	21.0	0	36	398	11.1	2
Sep 13, 2009	CHI	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Sep 20, 2009	CIN	0	5	113	22.6	0	0	0	0.00	0
Sep 27, 2009	@STL	0	2	49	24.5	0	2	11	5.5	0
Oct 5, 2009	@MIN	0	3	71	23.7	0	1	0	0.00	0
Oct 18, 2009	DET	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Oct 25, 2009	@CLE	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
Nov 1, 2009	MIN	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0.0	0
2009 Totals		0	10	233	23.3	0	3	11	3.7	0
Packers Totals		0	66	1393	21.1	0	47	515	11.0	3

Statistics provided by Elias Sports Bureau