Jan. 9, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Former Samford football standout Cortland Finnegan was named to the Associated Press' NFL All-Pro team when the team was announced on Friday.

The All-Pro honor is the first of Finnegan's career. Finnegan is one of 15 players making their All-Pro team debut.

Finnegan, currently in his third season with the Tennessee Titans and his second as a starter, has 70 total tackles this season. He has 58 solo tackles and five interceptions.

Finnegan was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after collecting seven tackles (six solo), a career-high two interceptions and three passes defended in the Titans' 17-10 victory on opening day against Jacksonville.

Finnegan also set a franchise record with a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown against Houston on Sept. 21.

Earlier this season, Finnegan was named to the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl, which will be played Feb. 8, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Finnegan and the Titans will play the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL playoffs on Saturday.

Finnegan played at Samford from 2002 to 2005. He was a three-time All-America selection, three-time All-Ohio Valley Conference honoree and he was named the OVC's Defensive Player of the Year in 2003.

For his Samford career, Finnegan had 338 tackles, including 176 solo stops. He also had nine interceptions in his Samford career. He led Samford in tackles in each of his last three seasons, and he was the OVC's leading tackler in 2003 with 108 tackles.