Troy Vincent

Troy Darnell Vincent Sr. (born June 8, 1970) is an American sports executive and former professional football player. He played as a cornerback for the Miami Dolphins, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Buffalo Bills and the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Dolphins as the seventh overall pick in the 1992 NFL draft. He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023. On September 28, 2011, Vincent was named as one of the preliminary nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2012 in his first year of eligibility and each year since.

He was previously inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame for the Philadelphia Eagles and was entered into the Hall of Fame for the State of Pennsylvania, the University of Wisconsin and Pennsbury High School.

Vincent is a past recipient of the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, one of the league's highest honors recognizing excellence on and off the field. In 2025, Sport for Impact named Vincent to its inaugural Walter Payton Man of the Year Ring of Honor, citing his ongoing "selfless and exceptional contributions to society and community.”

Vincent is currently the executive vice president of football operations for the NFL.

Early life

Troy Vincent was born in Trenton, New Jersey. He spent his early childhood in east Trenton's Wilbur section, where he and his younger brother, Sam, were raised by their mother, Alma. His athletic interests at the time centered on basketball.

Alma moved the family to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, before Vincent's seventh-grade year. After a brief period in which Vincent returned to Trenton for his sophomore year, he returned to finish his secondary education at Pennsbury High School, where he was encouraged to try out for the football team and later starred for the Pennsbury Falcons. He also played recreationally with the Morrisville Little Bulldogs.

College career and education

Vincent enrolled at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1988. He played cornerback for the Wisconsin Badgers and emerged as an All-American in 1991 under coach Barry Alvarez.

By the time he entered the NFL draft in 1992, Vincent had set Badgers' all-time records for passes defended in a season (13) and career (31). He finished his collegiate stint with 192 tackles, four interceptions and three punts returned for touchdowns, and was named team captain and MVP in his final season. He was inducted into the University of Wisconsin Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023.

Vincent studied urban planning and development at the University of Wisconsin. He completed his studies at Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts.

He also holds executive education and advanced business certificates from several institutions, including Harvard, Stanford and the University of Pennsylvania.

Professional career

Miami Dolphins

Vincent was selected by the Miami Dolphins out of the University of Wisconsin–Madison as the seventh pick in the first round of the 1992 NFL draft. He became the Dolphins' starting left cornerback, and helped the Dolphins reach the AFC Championship Game his rookie year. During his time in Miami, he intercepted 14 passes and was among the team leaders in tackles.

Philadelphia Eagles

Vincent signed with his hometown team the Philadelphia Eagles in 1996, where he spent eight more seasons. Vincent made five consecutive Pro Bowls from 1999 to 2003. In 2002, Vincent was the recipient of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. In 2007 Vincent was named to the Philadelphia Eagles 75th Anniversary Team. Vincent announced the Philadelphia Eagles 2nd Round Draft Pick at the 2011 NFL draft.

Vincent shares the record for the longest interception in Eagles history against the Dallas Cowboys in 1996; after teammate James Willis intercepted Troy Aikman four yards into the end zone, he ran 14 yards before lateraling to Vincent, who returned the interception 90 yards for a 104-yard touchdown.

Buffalo Bills

Prior to the 2004 NFL season, Vincent signed a free agent contract with the Buffalo Bills with the departure of cornerback Antoine Winfield. During his time in Buffalo, Vincent transitioned from the cornerback position, which he had played all his career, to free safety. In his first season as full-time safety in 2005, he had 66 tackles and a team-high four interceptions.

Vincent and starting strong safety Matt Bowen suffered injuries during the team's 2006 season opener. In order to clear a roster spot, the Bills placed him on injured reserve on September 10 as he was expected to miss up to two months. Once he was cleared to play, the Bills granted Vincent his release on October 13.

Washington Redskins

On October 16, Vincent signed a three-year contract with the Washington Redskins.

On November 5, 2006, against the rival Dallas Cowboys, Vincent recorded six tackles and had a crucial block on a 35-yard field goal attempt by kicker Mike Vanderjagt as time expired. The block, along with a 15-yard face mask penalty, allowed the Redskins to return the ball into field goal range for kicker Nick Novak and win the game 22–19 with no time. The improbable win is known as the "Hand of God" game.

On February 22, 2007, the Redskins released Vincent.

Career achievements

On November 22, 2017, Vincent was honored by the Big Ten Conference as the 2017 recipient of the Ford-Kinnick Leadership Award. The annual award recognizes Big Ten football student-athletes who have garnered significant success in leadership roles following their academic and athletic careers. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on December 5, 2023.

Vincent was honored by '' Ebony Magazine'' at their February 4, 2017, Celebration of Champions Super Bowl event, where he received the Ebony Pathfinder Award.

NFL statistics

NFL executive

Executive Vice President of Football Operations (2014-present)

Vincent was named the NFL's executive vice president of football operations in 2014, four years after joining the league office. His role includes oversight of game operations, officiating, on-field discipline, in-game analytics, personnel development and growth, policies and procedures related to NFL games, and other areas that affect the business of football. He also is involved in the league's inclusion initiatives, leading pipeline programs for coaches and front office executives of color.

As part of his role as the NFL's head of football operations, Vincent is a member of the American Football Coaches Association, an organization that represents coaches across the United States and is often consulted by the NCAA and the media regarding rule changes and developments occurring in college football, and serves as a non-voting member of the NFL's competition committee. In an October 24, 2017, feature article in The Root publication, Vincent discussed his role as "bridge-builder" in the ongoing debate about players taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem.

In the January 2018 issue of Monarch Magazine, Vincent talks about the "Game of Giving" and his commitment to American football. Vincent's leadership and impact on the game of football and social issues was detailed in Jarrett Bell's column in USA Today.

Flag Football Expansion and Advocacy

In 2022, Vincent and International Federation of American Football president Pierre Trochet were named co-chairs of Vision28, a group that lobbied for flag football's inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Their efforts led to the International Olympic Committee adding flag football to the LA Summer Games.

Vincent has also advocated for the expansion of flag football in the U.S., citing the demand created by a spike in participation among girls and young women. He has described flag as "football for all" due to the sport's greater accessibility for women, people with disabilities, and others to play in a non-contact format and earn opportunities such as college scholarships. Vincent has met with aspiring flag football players in high schools, introduced flag to U.S. colleges through a partnership with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, and published op-eds arguing for states such as California, New York and Colorado to approve flag football as a varsity sport statewide.

Deflategate Involvement

After the 2014 AFC Championship Game, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that 11 of the Patriots' 12 game footballs were underinflated by at least two pounds each.

Mortensen's report later turned out to be false, and according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Mortensen got his false info from NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent. Florio noted that it's "unclear" whether Vincent "deliberately lied" to Mortensen, however, Vincent was the one who handed out the initial four-game suspension to Brady in May 2015, suggesting a conflict of interest behind NFL walls as it investigated Brady.

Sr. Vice President of Player Engagement (2010-2014)

Vincent joined the NFL's league office in February 2010 as vice president of player development, leading support programs for players and their families, such as the Rookie Symposium and life skills initiatives. He was promoted to senior vice president of player engagement in 2013.

During his tenure as head of development and engagement, Vincent expanded the league's services, helping to launch programs such as NFL Total Wellness for current and former players. Vincent also started the peer-to-peer NFL Legends community and has been credited with recruiting hundreds of former NFL players as ambassadors for the league's various support initiatives.

Vincent estimated that monthly participation increased from "probably 200, 300 players" when he joined the NFL office to around 20,000 active and retired players by 2014.

NFLPA career

Vincent was president of the NFL Players Association from March 29, 2004, until March 18, 2008. He was replaced by Kevin Mawae. During his time with the Players Association, Vincent helped negotiate and implement three collective bargaining agreement extensions.

On February 26, 2009, the Players Association announced they were investigating whether during his tenure as president Vincent disclosed confidential personal and financial information about a number of player agents. It is alleged Vincent emailed this information to his longtime business partner Mark Magnum for the benefit of a financial services firm co-owned by the two men. However, the Associated Press uncovered no evidence to support the contention that Vincent, by forwarding an NFLPA e-mail to his business partner, used agents' personal information to build his financial services company.

NFL Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program

While playing for the Buffalo Bills, Vincent approached the Wharton School with an idea to create educational programs to help fellow players prepare for life after football. This led to the formation of the NFL Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program led by Vincent and former NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw. Jason Wingard of the ''New York Daily News'' spoke to Vincent's vision and the need for those entering the NFL to prepare for retirement from football.

Community involvement and philanthropic efforts

Vincent has served on numerous boards over his career and served on the board of directors for the University of Wisconsin Foundation, and the State of New Jersey After 3 Program. He became the first active NFL player to serve on the National Board of Directors for Pop Warner Little Scholars Football.

As a player, Vincent was recognized for his humanitarian work with the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. He was inducted into Sport for Impact's Walter Payton Man of the Year Ring of Honor in 2025.

Domestic violence and sexual assault awareness

A national advocate for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, Vincent shared his family's own story of experiencing domestic violence in a February 19, 2017, guest editorial in the Naples Daily News prior to his February 20 keynote address at The Naples Shelter for Abused Women and Children's annual event. In multiple forums, Vincent has advocated for an end to domestic violence. He has also challenged men to "stand beside women as leaders in the fight against domestic violence and sexual assault."

In 2023, Troy Vincent and his wife Tommi Vincent, chair of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, launched the Vincent Commission in partnership with Niagara University to study and address gender-based violence. Vincent has been honored by organizations such as Womanspace, Women Against Abuse and the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation for his work to advance domestic violence awareness.

Love Thy Neighbor

Vincent and his family founded the Love Thy Neighbor Community Development and Opportunity Corporation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering positive change in young people's lives through character, athletics and academics. Since its founding in Trenton, N.J., in the 1990s, Love Thy Neighbor has provided college scholarships and mentoring programs for high school students, and school supplies for elementary students in inner cities, among other initiatives.

Each year ahead of the Super Bowl, Love Thy Neighbor holds a virtual fundraiser and the "Vincent Country Safe Zone Activity Day" for students at an under-resourced elementary school in the game's host city. The seventh annual activity day in 2024, held at Matt Kelly Elementary School in Las Vegas, Nevada, included sports, games, food and resources. Students received free eye exams and glasses, health screenings, and haircuts provided by former NFL star Steven Jackson, co-founder of the Original Barber School in Las Vegas.

Other community involvement

The Vincent family donated funds to help restore a park in Trenton, N.J., where Troy Vincent played basketball growing up. The city later renamed the park in memory of his grandfather, Jefferson Vincent.

In 2011, Vincent returned to another one of the communities he grew up in; the Pennsbury School District in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. His visit was in support of the Fuel Up To Play 60 program at Edgewood Elementary School. During this visit, Vincent spent time with the students, teachers, and parents.

Vincent, whose grandfather served as an infantryman in World War II, has also been an outspoken supporter of veterans, promoting the leadership qualities they bring to football, the military academies, and civilian life.

Personal life

Vincent and his wife Tommi, a cousin to drag racer Antron Brown, have five children – three sons and two daughters. His son Taron Vincent is a defensive tackle who played college football at Ohio State and signed with the Los Angeles Rams in 2023.

Vincent is a Christian.

References

External links

Official website

I am Trenton Community Foundation

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vincent, Troy
1970 births
Living people
20th-century African-American sportsmen
21st-century African-American sportsmen
American football cornerbacks
American football safeties
Buffalo Bills players
College Football Hall of Fame inductees
Miami Dolphins players
National Conference Pro Bowl players
NFL executives
National Football League Players Association presidents
Pennsbury High School alumni
Philadelphia Eagles players
Players of American football from Mercer County, New Jersey
Players of American football from Trenton, New Jersey
Trade unionists from New Jersey
Washington Redskins players
Wisconsin Badgers football players