Number 23 will be missed
A Washington native, and alumni of Washington State University, Marcus Trufant was drafted by his hometown team Seattle Seahawks in the 1st round of the 2003 draft.
There’s nothing more fulfilling as a sports fan than seeing one of the local products getting drafted and making an impact on the local pro sports team. And Marcus Trufant definitely made an impact with the Seahawks.
Trufant had played his whole career with the Seahawks, a total of nine years, but all of that came to an end on Wednesday.
The Seahawks cut the veteran CB after he missed much of last year with an injury.
On Wednesday via Twitter Seahawks coach Pete Carroll had this to say:
Marcus Trufant has been a great player in this organization for years, and we’re so grateful for his class & commitment to this community
— Pete Carroll (@PeteCarroll) March 7, 2012
Pretty hefty words of encouragement for a player he just cut, but that is what Trufant meant to Seattle as a member of the Seahawks.
And with that said, I give you the top five moments in time for Marcus Trufant as a member of the Seattle Seahawks.
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Number 23 Will Be Missed.
#1. Draft day
Marcus Trufant was selected #11 overall by the Seahawks in the 2003 draft. As a local boy makes good kind of story, Trufant played as well as any other corner back in the history of the Seahawks.
With 21 career interceptions (6th all time) and 541 solo tackles (7th all time), he was a man on the move in the Seahawks secondary. And will go down as one of the greatest defensive backs to ever wear a Seahawks uniform.
#2. 2008 Pro Bowl starter
Trufant was named a starter for the 2008 Pro Bowl representing the Seahawks along with four other Seahawk starters for the NFC. During the season leading up to the ’08 Pro Bowl, Trufant had a career high 7 interceptions, and recorded 85 tackles.
#3. Member of the Seahawks 35th anniversary team
This is an honor of a lifetime to many players, but I’m sure it felt that much sweeter for Trufant, being a Washington native. Trufant joined eleven current and past teammates on the commemorative roster that marked the franchises first 35 years in Seattle.
#4. The 78 yard interception return in the playoffs
By far his biggest play for the Seahawks, Trufant returned a interception against the Washington Redskins in the 2008 playoffs.
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Forever A Seahawk! Thanks Marcus!
Trufant was just in the right place at the right time on the badly over-thrown pass, and got a couple of key blocks before turning on the burners and reaching the end zone.
#5. Trufant Family Foundation
Ever since he arrived in Seattle as a member of the Seahawks, Trufant and his family wanted to give back to the communities of Seattle and Tacoma for being so supportive of him on his quest to become a NFL player.
In 2003, the Trufant Family Foundation was created. The foundation gives a number of different scholarships in Trufant’s name to local students wanting to further their education.
As well as the scholarships, the foundation also offers donation programs, sponsor a child for summer camp programs, and the Tru-Fitness For Life program.
It’s always nice to see a player perform well on the field, and Trufant didn’t disappoint us fans there, but it’s even more impressive to see a player give back to his community by offering all of these amenities to the youth of the area.
Marcus Trufant has always been a class act, and I hope that he continues his career in the same fashion that he played here in Seattle. So long Marcus, it has been an honor watching you play.
Please don’t go play for a NFC West team.
Check out >> Marcus Trufant remembered here in our NW Athlete Profile…