Nathanial DeWayne Vasher (born November 17, 1981 in Wichita Falls, Texas) is an American football cornerback who plays for the Chicago Bears.

An all-state selection at both cornerback and wide receiver at Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas, Vasher was recruited by the University of Texas at Austin. He started at strong safety for the Longhorns in 2001 and at cornerback in 2002 and 2003. He intercepted 17 passes in his college career, tying the school record. He also returned punts and earned All-America honors as a punt returner in 2001.

The Bears selected Vasher in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He immediately made an impact in the NFL, leading the team with five interceptions as a rookie. He returned a Ken Dorsey pass 71 yards for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers.

Despite his defensive prowess, Vasher might be best known for engineering the longest play in NFL history on November 13, 2005 - a play made, once again, against the 49ers. The Bears were hosting San Francisco during an extremely windy day in which any airborne ball was thrown completely off-course. On the final play of the first half, San Francisco kicker Joe Nedney attempted a 52-yard field goal. The wind blew the football short and wide, and Vasher caught it eight yards deep in his own end zone. He ran left about 20 yards, then cut back to the right behind a convoy of blockers and took it up the sideline 108 yards for a touchdown.

At the end of the 2005 season, Vasher was chosen to represent the NFC in the Pro Bowl after intercepting eight passes and returning one for a touchdown.

External links

• Official biographical page from Bears website
• Nathan Vasher Highlight Videos
• A clip of Nathan Vasher's Historic 108 yard Return
• Current Stats

1981 births | Living people | American football cornerbacks | Chicago Bears players | People from Texas | Texas Longhorns football players | NFC Pro Bowl players