Jeremiah Castille
Jeremiah Castille (born January 15, 1961 in Columbus, Georgia) is a former NFL and University of Alabama football cornerback and the director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at the University of Alabama.
Castille grew up in Phenix City, the 8th of nine children in a difficult home. He was frequently in trouble as a boy. A position coach on his Central High School football team encouraged him to channel his energy into athletics, where he stood a chance of being successful. He also turned toward church, and met his future wife, Jean.
Castille was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
Football career
Alabama
Castille played for four years under Bear Bryant at Alabama. He was a starting defensive back in 1981 and 1982, and also returned kicks as a junior. In 1981 he had 5 interceptions and broke up 6 passes. In 1982 he picked off 7 and deflected 12 more.
Castille's last game was also the last for Coach Bryant, the 1982 Liberty Bowl in Memphis. During halftime, Castille challenged his teammates, shouting "Whatever it takes tonight men, we have got to win this game for Coach Bryant!". His three interceptions proved invaluable toward securing a 21-15 win over the University of Illinois, and he was named the Bowl MVP.
Castille graduated Alabama in 1982 with a degree in broadcast journalism.
NFL
Out of college, Castille was drafted in the third round (72nd overall pick) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he played for four seasons, including his most disruptive as a defensive back when he recorded 7 interceptions in 1985. He was signed by the Denver Broncos in 1987 and played in two AFC championship seasons before retiring after 6 NFL seasons.
On January 17, 1988 Castille caused "The Fumble", one of the most notorious plays in the history of the Cleveland Browns. At the end of the AFC Championship Game he stripped the ball from Browns running back Earnest Bynar as he was closing in on the end zone, preventing the tying score and sending the Broncos to their second consecutive Superbowl.
Coaching
Castille began coaching in 1994 at a private high school in Columbus, Georgia. He later accepted a job as track coach and assistant football coach at Briarwood Christian High School and moved to Birmingham.
He and Jean founded Jeremiah Ministries, which mentors students at Hayes and L. Frazier Banks Middle Schools, as well as at several area football camps.
Castille's two oldest sons, Tim and Simeon, have both started for the Crimson Tide like their father.
References
- Stroud, Laurie (September 2002) "Jeremiah Castille: Change in the Tide." Birmingham Christian Family.