45°
Wootton, a football defensive end in the NFL, turns 30 Thursday.
Wotton, was born in Rutherford, N.J., on June 22, 1987.
He played high school football at Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, N.J.
He played college football at Northwestern University where as a junior he garnered first team All-Big Ten Conference honors.
Wootton entered the 2010 NFL Draft and was selected 109th overall in the 4th round by the Chicago Bears.
During a game against the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 20, 2010, Wotton recorded his first career sack where he brought down quarterback Brett Favre. The sack forced Favre to leave the game due to a concussion.
The concussion eventually sidelined Favre for the remaining two games of his final season in the NFL.
In Week 9 of 2012 against the Tennessee Titans, Wootton scored his first career touchdown off a blocked punt, which had been blocked by former Northwestern teammate Sherrick McManis.
Wootton ended the 2012 season appearing in all 16 games with seven starts and seven sacks.
In 2013, after injuries sustained to Henry Melton and Nate Collins, Wootton was shifted to defensive tackle in week five against the New Orleans Saints.
On March 20, 2014, it was reported Wootton had signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings.
On May 14, 2015, Wootton signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Rutherford and receive free news updates.
