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Team / Players / Atari Bigby
 
S ATARI BIGBY #20
5' 11" 213 lbs. Central Florida

Exp: 4th NFL Season, 4th Packers Season
Age: 28
Acquired: Free Agent 2005
Current Status: Active Roster
2008 Bio:
  • Led team in interceptions with five in 2007, his first as a starter, and named NFC Defensive Player of the Month in December, when he had four of his five INTs
  • Ranked third on the team with 121 tackles in 2007, the most by a Packers defensive back since safety Mark Murphy recorded 128 in 1990
  • Allocated to NFL Europe’s Amsterdam Admirals for the 2006 season; led the team in tackles and helped earn a World Bowl berth
  • “Atari” is Japanese for a form of the word “attack”
  • Attended Miami (Fla.) High School with several future professional athletes, including former Green Bay safety Marquand Manuel and Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem
Pro Summary
  • After making the steady climb from practice-squad player to NFL starter, the aggressive, hard-hitting safety now must bounce back from an injury-plagued 2008
  • Battled ankle, hamstring and shoulder injuries at different times throughout the season, eventually landing on injured reserve in the final month
  • Sustained an ankle injury during training camp and then pulled a hamstring at Detroit in Week 2, forcing him to miss five games
  • Returned to the lineup but was less than full strength and eventually injured his shoulder in Week 13 vs. Carolina, ending his season
  • Now has 152 career tackles (115 solo) with six interceptions and 16 passes defensed, but all the injuries limited his opportunities to build on the impact he made in his first season as a starter in 2007
  • Led the team that year with five interceptions and 13 passes defensed, tied for the team lead with three forced fumbles, and ranked third with 121 tackles (95 solo)
  • His tackle total was the highest by any Packers defensive back since safety Mark Murphy recorded 128 in 1990
  • Beat out incumbent starter Marquand Manuel midway through training camp in 2007 with a series of big plays in the second preseason game vs. Seattle (Aug. 18) and never relinquished the job, playing 94.9 percent of the defensive snaps in 2007, tops on the team
  • Enjoyed the chance to show what he could do in training camp after missing much of it in 2006 with a broken hand suffered in the annual ‘Family Night’ scrimmage
  • Began that season on the practice squad with a cast, but eventually had it removed and showed how much he benefited from his NFL Europe experience the previous spring
  • Earned a midseason promotion to the active roster, playing in five games and contributing consistently on special teams with five tackles
  • Made his NFL debut on Christmas Day 2005 vs. Chicago, playing in one game after a promotion from the practice squad, and then was allocated to NFL Europe in spring 2006
  • Started all 10 games for the Amsterdam Admirals, who earned a berth in the World Bowl
  • Played with Packers teammate Tory Humphrey and led the team with 61 tackles, solidifying his reputation as a hard hitter
  • At Central Florida, registered 296 tackles, three interceptions and one sack during four letterman seasons
  • As a prep player at Miami (Fla.) Senior High School, played every position on the field other than lineman
  • Attended high school with Manuel, not to mention other professional athletes, such as Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem
  • Originally entered the league as a non-drafted free agent signed by the Dolphins in 2005
  • Spent most of ’05 training camp with the Jets and was waived in the final preseason roster reduction, before the Packers signed him to their practice squad two months later
2008 SeasonBack To Top
  • Played in seven games with six starts at strong safety, and posted 31 tackles (20 solo) and an interception
  • Was bothered all year by a left ankle injury originally suffered in preseason game at Denver (Aug. 22), and then pulled a hamstring in Week 2 at Detroit, forcing him to miss five games
  • Sustained a shoulder injury in Week 13 vs. Carolina and was placed on injured reserve Dec. 18
  • Vs. Minnesota (Sept. 8): Intercepted a Tarvaris Jackson pass with just over a minute remaining to seal the 24-19 win
  • At Detroit (Sept. 14): Left game late in first half after straining a hamstring trying to break up a pass in the end zone, and missed the next five contests
  • At Tennessee (Nov. 2): Returned to starting lineup and registered seven tackles, which tied him for the lead in the secondary
  • At Minnesota (Nov. 9): Led secondary with season-high eight tackles, including a tackle for loss when he stopped TE Visanthe Shiancoe on a reception for a 3-yard loss in the second quarter
  • Vs. Chicago (Nov. 16): Tied for lead in secondary with six tackles and broke up Kyle Orton’s deep pass intended for WR Marty Booker late in the first half
  • Vs. Carolina (Nov. 30): Did not start after being on injury report all week with ankle injury and saw very limited time in the first half before leaving the game with a sprained shoulder, which ended his season
2007 SeasonBack To Top
  • Started all 16 games in his first year as the starter (plus both playoff games), winning the job with an impressive run of big plays during preseason games
  • Playing a team-best 94.9 percent of the defensive snaps, ranked third on the team with 121 tackles (95 solo), tied for a team high with three forced fumbles, and led the team with five interceptions and 13 passes defensed
  • Recorded double-digit tackles in five games, and his season total was the highest by any Packers defensive back since Murphy recorded 128 in 1990
  • Earned NFC Defensive Player of the Month for December, picking off four passes in a span of four games
  • His five INTs ranked ninth in the NFL and fourth in the NFC
  • Vs. San Diego (Sept. 23): Posted a team- and career-high 14 tackles (11 solo)
  • At Minnesota (Sept. 30): In the first quarter, stripped the ball from fullback Jeff Dugan (recovered by Johnny Jolly); Brett Favre threw his record-setting 421st career TD pass to Greg Jennings on the following drive to give Green Bay a 7-0 lead. Made his first career interception in the fourth quarter, diving for a tipped pass with 1:06 left, sealing the Packers’ 23-16 victory. Also recorded five solo tackles
  • Vs. Oakland (Dec. 9): In the third quarter, intercepted a deep pass and returned it 22 yards; actually ran the pick back 70 yards for a touchdown, but the score was negated by an unnecessary roughness penalty
  • At St. Louis (Dec. 16): Had a career-high two interceptions, plus four solo tackles, and was named ‘GMC Defensive Player of the Week.’ In the second quarter, picked off a long Marc Bulger throw and made an 18-yard return. In the third quarter, caught a tipped pass on a Rams’ third-and-4 and returned it 8 yards; Green Bay converted a field goal on the ensuing drive
  • Vs. Seattle (Jan. 12): In NFC Divisional playoff, led the team with seven tackles (six solo), with one forced fumble and one pass defensed. Stopped Shaun Alexander for a 1-yard loss in the first quarter and then, on the Seahawks’ first play of the second quarter, forced Marcus Pollard to fumble (recovered by Aaron Kampman); Green Bay scored three plays later on a 2-yard Jennings touchdown catch and took a 21-14 lead
2006 SeasonBack To Top
  • Signed from the practice squad Nov. 15, played in five games and was inactive for the final three contests with a hamstring injury
  • A valuable contributor on special teams, where he collected five tackles, also played six snaps from scrimmage
  • Waived at the end of the preseason and re-signed two days later to the practice squad, where he spent the season’s first 10 weeks
  • Sidelined much of training camp after breaking his hand in the ‘Family Night’ intrasquad scrimmage (Aug. 5), underwent surgery and returned to practice early in the regular season with a cast
  • Signed to the active roster on Nov. 15
  • Vs. New England (Nov. 19): Saw his first 2006 action and collected two special teams tackles
  • Vs. N.Y. Jets (Dec. 3): Played on defense for the first time in his career, two snaps at free safety
  • At San Francisco (Dec. 10): Had two special teams tackles
2005 SeasonBack To Top
  • Played in one game and was inactive for one other after joining the Packers’ practice squad on Nov. 1
  • Promoted to the active roster Dec. 22 after more than seven weeks on the practice squad
  • Vs. Chicago (Dec. 25): Made his NFL debut, playing on special teams and recording one coverage tackle
  • 2005 Draft: Initially signed by the Miami Dolphins as a non-drafted free agent May 16, was waived July 25
  • Signed by the N.Y. Jets Aug. 11, was one of the team’s final cuts in its preseason roster reduction Sept. 3
CollegeBack To Top
  • Was a four-year letterman at Central Florida (2001-04) and two-time first-team All-Mid-American Conference pick
  • Registered 296 tackles, three interceptions and one sack
  • Earned a degree in liberal studies
  • Senior season (2004): Was injured for much of the season, but played in seven games and recorded 42 tackles and one interception
  • Junior season (2003): Collected 112 tackles and one sack, with a team-high 80 solo tackles
  • Sophomore season (2002): Had 104 tackles (58 solo) and an interception
  • Redshirt freshman season (2001): Played in 11 games and made 38 tackles (27 solo)
PersonalBack To Top
  • Given name Atari David Bigby
  • Born in Jamaica, moved to the U.S. at age 4
  • Married to Jill, the couple has two daughters, Michelle, 8, and Leenah, 5
  • Named Atari by his grandmother, who liked the name
  • “Atari” is Japanese for a form of the word “attack”
  • High school: Attended Miami (Fla.) Senior High with former Packers teammate Manuel, as well as Danny “Blue” Adams (former NFL, now CFL), Jamaal Jackson (Philadelphia), Andre Johnson (Houston), Roscoe Parrish (Buffalo) and Miami Heat forward Haslem
  • Was a three-year football letterman, at one time or another playing every position on the field with the exception of lineman
  • As a senior, posted 72 tackles, four forced fumbles and one interception
  • On offense, recorded 500 yards receiving, 315 yards rushing and nine touchdowns
  • Earned second-team Class 6A all-state honors and also was named All-Dade County
  • Played in the Dade-Broward All-Star Game
  • Lettered two years in track and one in soccer
  • Community involvement: Has made several community appearances at juvenile detention centers and hospitals and appeared at events to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Fox Valley
  • Has taken part in the Edgar Bennett Celebrity Bowl-A-Thon, Al Harris’ Stars and Strikes Celebrity Bowling Event, and the Brett Favre and Donald Driver Celebrity Softball Games
  • Also participated in a softball game to benefit the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin, attended a Halloween party for at-risk kids of the local Pals Program and their mentors, rang the Salvation Army bell during the holidays for donations, and finished shooting pictures for a billboard to support the Milwaukee Children’s Hospital
  • Hobbies/interests: After his football career, would like to be involved in housing development projects
  • Says soccer is his first love
  • In his free time, is learning how to play guitar and also enjoys bowling
  • Enjoys reggae music, especially Bob Marley
  • Residence: Miami
Player StatsBack To Top
TacklesSacksInterceptionsFumbles
Year GP GS Tot Solo Asst Sk Yds No Yds Lg TD PD FF FR Yds
2005 Green Bay 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2006 Green Bay 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2007 Green Bay  16 16 121 95 26 0 0 5 50 22 0 13 3 0 0
2008 Green Bay 7 6 31 20 11 0 0 1 7 7 0 3 0 0 0
NFL totals (four years) 29 22 152 115 37 0 0 6 57 22 0 16 3 0 0

TacklesSacksInterceptionsFumbles
PLAYOFFS GP GS Tot Solo Asst Sk Yds No Yds Lg TD PD FF FR Yds
2007 Green Bay  2 2 16 14 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0

NFL Europa GP GS Total UT AT Sacks Int PD FR FF
2006 Amsterdam Admirals 10 10 61 43 18 0 1 4 0 0
Recorded 5 tackles on special teams with Admirals in NFL Europa.

***

Additional statistics: Special teams tackles - 1 in 2005; 5 in 2006; 4 in 2007; NFL total: 10.

SINGLE-GAME CAREER HIGHS
Tackles
Total: 14, vs. SD (9/23/07)
Solo: 11, vs. SD (9/23/07)
Interceptions: 2, at StL (12/16/07)
Passes Defensed: 2, three times (last: at StL, 12/16/07)

NFL debut: vs. Chicago, 12/25/05
NFL first start: vs. Philadelphia, 9/9/07
First interception: at Minnesota, 9/30/07 (K.Holcomb)

CAREER TRANSACTIONS
2005: Signed by Miami Dolphins as non-drafted free agent, May 16...Waived by Dolphins, July 25...Signed by New York Jets as free agent, Aug. 11...Waived by Jets, Sept. 3...Signed by Green Bay Packers to practice squad, Nov. 1...Signed by Packers from practice squad to active roster, Dec. 22.
2006: Waived by Packers, Sept. 2...Re-signed by Packers to practice squad, Sept. 4...Signed by Packers from practice squad to active roster, Nov. 15.
2008: Re-signed by Packers as exclusive-rights free agent, March 20...Placed on injured reserve (shoulder), Dec. 18.
2009: Re-signed by Packers as restricted free agent, April 17.

CURRENT CONTRACT EXPIRATION: After 2009

ELIAS Game By Game Packers Stats
Game Date OppInterceptionsSacks
NoYdsAvgTD
Sep 11, 2005 @DET000.000
Sep 18, 2005 CLE000.000
Sep 25, 2005 TB000.000
Oct 3, 2005 @CAR000.000
Oct 9, 2005 NO000.000
Oct 23, 2005 @MIN000.000
Oct 30, 2005 @CIN000.000
Nov 6, 2005 PIT000.000
Nov 13, 2005 @ATL000.000
Nov 21, 2005 MIN000.000
Nov 27, 2005 @PHI000.000
Dec 4, 2005 @CHI000.000
Dec 11, 2005 DET000.000
Dec 19, 2005 @BAL000.000
Dec 25, 2005 CHI000.000
Jan 1, 2006 SEA000.000
2005 Totals000.000
Sep 10, 2006 CHI000.000
Sep 17, 2006 NO000.000
Sep 24, 2006 @DET000.000
Oct 2, 2006 @PHI000.000
Oct 8, 2006 STL000.000
Oct 22, 2006 @MIA000.000
Oct 29, 2006 ARI000.000
Nov 5, 2006 @BUF000.000
Nov 12, 2006 @MIN000.000
Nov 19, 2006 NE000.000
Nov 27, 2006 @SEA000.000
Dec 3, 2006 NYJ000.000
Dec 10, 2006 @SF000.000
Dec 17, 2006 DET000.000
Dec 21, 2006 MIN000.000
Dec 31, 2006 @CHI000.000
2006 Totals000.000
Sep 9, 2007 PHI000.000
Sep 16, 2007 @NYG000.000
Sep 23, 2007 SD000.000
Sep 30, 2007 @MIN111.000
Oct 7, 2007 CHI000.000
Oct 14, 2007 WAS000.000
Oct 29, 2007 @DEN000.000
Nov 4, 2007 @KC000.000
Nov 11, 2007 MIN000.000
Nov 18, 2007 CAR000.000
Nov 22, 2007 @DET000.000
Nov 29, 2007 @DAL000.000
Dec 9, 2007 OAK12222.000
Dec 16, 2007 @STL22613.000
Dec 23, 2007 @CHI000.000
Dec 30, 2007 DET111.000
2007 Totals55010.000
Sep 8, 2008 MIN177.000
Sep 14, 2008 @DET000.000
Sep 21, 2008 DAL000.000
Sep 28, 2008 @TB000.000
Oct 5, 2008 ATL000.000
Oct 12, 2008 @SEA000.000
Oct 19, 2008 IND000.000
Nov 2, 2008 @TEN000.000
Nov 9, 2008 @MIN000.000
Nov 16, 2008 CHI000.000
Nov 24, 2008 @NO000.000
Nov 30, 2008 CAR000.000
Dec 7, 2008 HOU000.000
Dec 14, 2008 @JAC000.000
Dec 22, 2008 @CHI000.000
Dec 28, 2008 DET000.000
2008 Totals177.000
Sep 13, 2009 CHI000.000
Sep 20, 2009 CIN000.000
Sep 27, 2009 @STL000.000
Oct 5, 2009 @MIN000.000
Oct 18, 2009 DET100.0000
Oct 25, 2009 @CLE000.000
Nov 1, 2009 MIN000.000
Nov 8, 2009 @TB000.000
Nov 15, 2009 DAL000.000
2009 Totals100.000
Packers Totals7578.100

Statistics provided by Elias Sports Bureau
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