Avonte Maddox

Avonte Maddox's Biography

Avonte Michael Maddox is a celebrated American professional football cornerback demonstrating his talent and skills in the National Football League (NFL). Born on March 31, 1996, he currently represents the esteemed Philadelphia Eagles, leaving an indelible mark with his exceptional performance on field.

Maddox’s early years in sports saw him inclined towards baseball as he devoted his first two years in high school mastering the game. Nevertheless, his passion for football eventually outshone other pursuits. Despite receiving only a couple of Power Five scholarship offers, from Purdue and Pittsburgh, Maddox’s dedication towards football remained unaffected. Interestingly, his sports career could have veered in a different direction had he accepted the tempting offer to join the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft after finishing his high school.

Maddox’s college years at Pittsburgh witnessed his relentless determination, as he started at cornerback for all four years. His concerted efforts led to him being named Honorable Mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference in his sophomore year and Third-team in his senior year. Battling through adversities, Maddox missed two games each in his junior and senior years due to injuries.

The 2018 NFL draft marked a significant milestone in Maddox’s professional career when he was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the 125th overall during the fourth round. His debut on the NFL scene during the league season opener against the Atlanta Falcons on September 6, 2018, saw him playing on the special teams. His inaugural career interception came when he picked off a pass from the Tennessee Titans’ quarterback, Marcus Mariota, in a game that ended in a 26–23 overtime loss on September 30. His second interception of the season brought down quarterback Jared Goff during a victorious game against the Los Angeles Rams.

In 2019, a dramatic incident during a game against the Green Bay Packers led Maddox to be carted off the field when his helmet collided with his teammate Andrew Sendejo during an attempted tackle of Jamaal Williams. While the situation seemed grave, the Eagles announced that Maddox had movement in all extremities and was taken to the hospital overnight for precautionary measures.

The year 2020 brought more challenges for Maddox and his career. During Week 3’s course against Cincinnati Bengals, he incurred an injury that made him miss the subsequent three games until he was re-activated on Week 7. A knee injury in Week 14’s winning game against the New Orleans Saints resulted in Maddox’s placement on season-ending injured reserve. Despite the hurdles, he made a significant achievement that year with 40 tackles and three pass deflections, playing in 10 games and starting in eight.

Maddox’s performance was undeterred during the last season of his rookie contract in 2021. Leading the Eagles with nine tackles in their 32–6 win over the Atlanta Falcons, he showed his merit. In October, against the Las Vegas Raiders, Maddox registered his third career interception during the 33–22 loss. Maddox signed a $22.5 million contract extension for three years with the Eagles in November 2021, reflecting the team’s faith in his capabilities.

During the course of 2022, despite battling with a hamstring injury which led him to an involuntary break, and a ‘significant’ toe injury that ruled him out for the rest of the regular season, Maddox showcased his talent as he secured seven tackles during Super Bowl LVII.

In 2023, a pec injury landed Maddox on injured reserve list once again, but not before delivering a strong performance in the first two games. After recovering, Maddox returned to the field only to be released by the Eagles in March 2024. However, his talent was indispensable, leading to his re-signing within a month. Throughout his dynamic career, Maddox continues to be a paragon of resilience and unwavering determination in the face of adversity.