Jonathan Polynice Vilma was born on the 16th April 1982 in Coral Gables, Florida USA, to Haitian parents, and is a retired American Football linebacker, who spent 10 seasons in the National Football League, playing for New York Jets (2004-2007), and New Orleans Saints (2008-2014).
Have you ever wondered how rich Jonathan Vilma is, as of early 2017? According to authoritative sources it has been estimated that Vilma’s net worth is as high as $11 million, an amount earned largely through his successful career in the NFL. During his career he had several sponsorship deals which also improved his wealth, and after he retired, Jonathan became a college football commentator and studio analyst on ESPN.
Jonathan Vilma Net Worth $11 Million
Jonathan is the son of Fritz Vila and Nelly Banatte, Haitian immigrants who settled in the USA in the ‘70s. He went to G.W. Carver Middle School, after which he received his high school education at Coral Gables High School, playing football for the high school’s team, together with future Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore. After high school he enrolled at the University of Miami on an athletic scholarship, and played football for the Miami Hurricanes Football team, coached firstly by Butch Davis and then Larry Coker. During his college career, Jonathan received several honors and awards, including the Jack Lambert Trophy in 2003, he was the BCS national champion in 2001 and in 2003 was named into the First-team All-Big East.
He declared for the 2004 NFL Draft, and was selected by the New York Jets as the 12th overall pick, which marked the start of his professional career and his net worth. He played for the Jets until 2008 when he was traded to the New Orleans Saints for two draft-picks.
In his rookie season, Jonathan was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press, and posted a total of 107 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions, one of which led to a touchdown. His second season was the best in his career, as he posted a total of 169 tackles, accompanied with 0.5 sacks, one interception, four forced fumbles and also had one fumble recovery. Thanks to his great performance he was selected for his first Pro Bowl appearance, although as a replacement to injured Zach Thomas.
Jonathan continued in the same rhythm in 2006 season, passing 100 tackles, with one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Unfortunately, his good form was cut down in 2007, as he suffered a knee injury in game seven, after which he didn’t return for the season. He was then traded to the Saints, and in the first season with his new team was the leader of the Saints’ week defense with 132 tackles, one sack, one interception, and two forced fumbles. In 2009, he signed a contract with the Saints worth $34 million over five years, which increased his net worth. That year, the Saints won the Super Bowl against the Indianapolis Colts, and Jonathan was one of the key players of the match, making several successful defensive plays including a deflected pass in the fourth quarter. During the regular season, Jonathan had 110 tackles with two sacks and three interceptions, which led to his second Pro Bowl appearance. He had one more good season, before his career began to decline, culminating in 2012 with the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal, accused of paying players to intentionally injure players from other teams, as a result he was suspended in 2012 and played in only 11 games, posting the lowest numbers in his entire career. Things became worse in 2013 when he underwent knee surgery, which limited him to only one game, and for the 2014 season he was cut by the Saints. He officially retired on the 6th December 2015.
Regarding his personal life, Jonathan’s most intimate details regarding his marital status and number of children are unknown in the media.
He is a well-known philanthropist; he has started the Jonathan Vilma Foundation, following the earthquake that hit Haiti in 2010, in order to support rebuilding, concentrating mostly on schools. Furthermore, he is a spokesman for Under Armour and also WaterBank of America USA Inc.
