Kindle Vildor

BIOGRAPHY

Kindle Lee Vildor, an esteemed American professional football player, was born on December 11, 1997. With an impressive resume in the National Football League (NFL) that spans various teams, Vildor currently graces the field as a cornerback for the Detroit Lions. Amid the numerous teams he has served, Vildor’s name strikes a strong association with the Detroit Lions, the Chicago Bears, and the Tennessee Titans.

Born and brewed in the DeKalb County section of the Atlanta, Georgia, Vildor’s roots are firmly planted in College Park, Georgia. His passion for football started burgeoning early in his life which eventually led him to represent North Clayton High School as a promising 2-star cornerback recruit. Embarking on his collegiate journey, Vildor chose to nurture his talent at Georgia Southern, rejecting proposals from various other reputed institutions, such as Troy, Tulane, Western Kentucky, and Wyoming, to name a few.

Delving into his collegiate career, Vildor really came into his own in the last three seasons. Exhibiting talent and skill beyond his years, he executed an impressive 42 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss. Vildor’s proactive sportsmanship led to him breaking up 11 passes and intercepting four, earning the top spot within his team. His exceptionally splendid performance did not go unnoticed but rather earned him the prestigious title of the first-team All-Sun Belt Conference during his junior year.

Vildor’s senior year saw him living up to his previous reputation and exceeding it. Once again named the first-team All-Sun Belt, he also received a nod as a Pro Football Focus All-American. His dazzling track record boasted 27 tackles, two interceptions, and resounding prevention of six passes.

In 2020, Vildor’s professional career leapfrogged, as he was called on by the Chicago Bears as the 163rd pick in the fifth round of the NFL draft. On July 21, Vildor inked a four-year rookie contract with the Bears, mainly serving on special teams for the 2020 season. On their Week 15 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Vildor debuted as an NFL start at cornerback. His stint with the Bears saw him playing all 16 games, providing a steady defense in one starting game with 17 combined tackles and a pass defended. In 2021, his prominence continued to rise as Vildor recorded his first career sack against Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback Tyler Huntley.

As he embraced the 2022 season, Vildor came onboard as a starting cornerback accompanying Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon. On week 5, he chronicled another milestone by intercepting his first career throw off of Kirk Cousins in a game against the Minnesota Vikings. After eleven games and nine starts, Vildor had amassed 34 tackles, defended five passes, and intercepted one. However, Vildor had to halt his journey after a Season-ending ankle injury in late November.

Despite overcoming the physical adversities, the Bears released Vildor in 2023. The following day, however, the Tennessee Titans claimed him off waivers, where he remained until his release on October 14, 2023. His sojourn continued with a short tenancy at the practice squad of the Philadelphia Eagles, where he stayed from October 20, 2023, to November 13, 2023.

On November 14, 2023, the Detroit Lions welcomed Vildor to their practice squad. By December 5, he was enlisted in the active roster, steering towards the end of the season. During the final game where the Lions faced a defeat against San Francisco, Vildor missed a near-interception from Brock Purdy. Brock’s long pass hit Kindle directly on the facemask of his helmet, deflected upward to Brandon Aiyuk, led to a touchdown, and resulted in a surprising 49er comeback drive in the NFC Championship loss. Come April 3, 2024, Vildor decided to persist with his journey with the Lions by signing a renewal contract.