Troy Darnell Vincent Sr. (born June 8, 1970) is an American sports executive and former professional football player who is the NFL's Executive Vice President of Football Operations. He played as a cornerback for 16 seasons for the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023. On September 28, 2011, Vincent was named as one of the preliminary nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2012 in his first year of eligibility and each year since.Modern-Era Nominees for the Class of 2012 www.profootballhof.com September 28, 2011
He was previously inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame for the Philadelphia Eagles and was entered into the Hall of Fame for the State of Pennsylvania, the University of Wisconsin and Pennsbury High School. Vincent is a past recipient of the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, one of the league's highest honors recognizing excellence on and off the field.
Early life Troy Vincent was born in Trenton, New Jersey. He spent his early childhood in east Trenton's Wilbur section, where he and his younger brother, Sam, were raised by their mother, Alma. His athletic interests at the time centered on basketball.
Alma moved the family to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, before Vincent's seventh-grade year. After a brief period in which Vincent returned to Trenton for his sophomore year, he returned to finish his secondary education at Pennsbury High School, where he was encouraged to try out for the football team and later starred for the Pennsbury Falcons. He also played recreationally with the Morrisville Little Bulldogs.
College career and education Vincent enrolled at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1988. He played cornerback for the Wisconsin Badgers and emerged as an All-American in 1991 under coach Barry Alvarez.
By the time he entered the NFL draft in 1992, Vincent had set Badgers' all-time records for passes defended in a season (13) and career (31). He finished his collegiate stint with 192 tackles, four interceptions and three punts returned for touchdowns, and was named team captain and MVP in his final season. He was inducted into the University of Wisconsin Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023.
Vincent studied urban planning and development at the University of Wisconsin. He completed his studies at Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts.
He also holds executive education and advanced business certificates from several institutions, including Harvard, Stanford and the University of Pennsylvania. In 2026, Franklin and Marshall College announced it would confer Vincent an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for his leadership in football and philanthropy.
Career achievements On November 22, 2017, Vincent was honored by the Big Ten Conference as the 2017 recipient of the Ford-Kinnick Leadership Award. The annual award recognizes Big Ten football student-athletes who have garnered significant success in leadership roles following their academic and athletic careers.2017 Ford Kinnick Leadership Award landof10.com He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on December 5, 2023.
Professional career Pre-draft Following his senior season, Vincent declared himself eligible for the 1992 NFL draft and was considered by the majority of analysts to be the top cornerback prospect. On January 19, 1992, Vincent participated in the East–West Shrine Bowl and was part of the East team that lost 14–6 to the West. He attended the NFL Scouting Combine and completed the majority of positional and combine drills. NFL draft analysts and scouts projected Vincent to be an early first round pick. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. had Vincent ranked as the top defensive back and the second best overall in the draft following defensive tackle Steve Emtman. Dr. Z of ‘’Sports Illustrated’’ had Vincent ranked as the top cornerback in the draft and projected him to be selected within the first five draft picks.
Miami Dolphins 1992 season The Miami Dolphins selected Vincent in the first round (7th overall) of the 1992 NFL draft. He was the second cornerback drafted after Terrell Buckley (5th overall). The Green Bay Packers immediately received criticism from the media and fans for their decision to draft Terrell Buckley from Florida State instead of Vincent from Wisconsin. The Dolphins acquired the draft pick used to select Vincent in a trade with the Phoenix Cardinals for wide receiver Randal Hill. Since the common NFL draft was established in 1967, Vincent became the second highest draft pick in the history of the University of Wisconsin, following Paul Gruber in 1988 (4th overall). Vincent also surpassed Richard Johnson to become the highest drafted defensive player from Wisconsin.
On August 8, 1992, the Dolphins signed Vincent to a four–year, $5.29 million rookie contract that included a signing bonus of $2.45 million.
He entered training camp slated as the No. 2 starting cornerback following the departure of Mike McGruder. Head coach Don Shula named J. B. Brown and Chris Green the starting cornerbacks to begin the season due to an injury to Vincent. He was inactive as the Dolphins had a 27–23 victory in their season-opener at the Cleveland Browns due to a hamstring injury he reaggravated during practice. The following week, Vincent made his professional regular season debut and recorded two solo tackles as the Dolphins defeated the Los Angeles Rams 26–10. Entering Week 3, defensive coordinator Tom Olivadotti promoted Vincent to the No. 2 starting cornerback, replacing Chris Green. On September 27, 1992, Vincent earned his first career start and made four solo tackles and two pass deflections during a 19–17 win at the Seattle Seahawks. In Week 5, he set a season-high with nine solo tackles and three pass deflections during a 27–10 win at the Buffalo Bills. On November 8, 1992, Vincent made two solo tackles, a pass deflection, and had the first interception of his career, picking off a pass Jeff George threw to wide receiver Jessie Hester during a 28–0 win at the Indianapolis Colts. He finished his rookie season with 60 combined tackles (58 solo), 12 pass deflections, and two interceptions in 15 games and 14 starts.
The Miami Dolphins finished first in the AFC East in the 1992 NFL season with a 11–5 record to clinch a first-round bye. On January 10, 1993, Vincent started in his first career playoff game in the AFC Divisional Round and recorded three solo tackles, led the team with five pass deflections, and intercepted two passes thrown by Stan Humphries during a 31–0 victory against the San Diego Chargers. On January 10, 1993, he started in the AFC Championship Game and recorded seven solo tackles as the Dolphins lost 29–10 to the Buffalo Bills.
1993 season He entered training camp slated as the de facto No. 1 starting cornerback. Head coach Don Shula named him and J. B. Brown the starting cornerbacks to begin the season. On September 5, 1993, Vincent started in the Miami Dolphins’ season-opener at the Indianapolis Colts and made two solo tackles, one pass deflection, and secured a 24–20 victory by intercepting a pass Jack Trudeau threw to Jessie Hester with 19 seconds remaining in the game. In Week 10, he set a season-high with seven combined tackles (four solo) during a 10–27 loss at the New York Jets. On November 25, 1993, Vincent recorded six combined tackles (five solo) and set a season-high with five pass deflections during a 16–14 win at the Dallas Cowboys. In Week 15, he recorded one solo tackle before exiting in the second quarter of a 20–21 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers after sustaining an injury to his leg. On December 16, 1993, the Miami Dolphins placed Vincent on injured reserve for the remainder of the season (Weeks 16–18) due to slight tears he sustained to his ACL and MCL in his right knee. He finished the 1993 NFL season with 60 combined tackles (51 solo), 13 pass deflections, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery in 13 games and 13 starts. Pro Football Reference listed Vincent recorded 68 solo tackles.
1994 season On September 4, 1994, Vincent started in the Miami Dolphins’ home-opener against the New England Patriots and recorded three combined tackles (two solo), two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Drew Bledsoe as they won 35–39. Vincent injured his knee and was inactive for the next three games (Weeks 2–4). In Week 6, he set a season-high with seven combined tackles (six solo) and made one pass deflection during a 11–21 loss at the Buffalo Bills. On November 27, 1994, Vincent made four combined tackles (three solo), a pass deflection, and helped lead a fourth quarter comeback victory by intercepting a pass Boomer Esiason threw to wide receiver Rob Moore to start the fourth quarter as the Dolphins were losing 14–24. His interception led to a 28–yard touchdown pass from Dan Marino to Mark Ingram and the Dolphins would win 28–24 at the New York Jets. On December 12, 1994, Vincent recorded six combined tackles (four solo), made two pass deflections, one interception, and scored the first touchdown of his career as the Dolphins defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 28–45. His touchdown occurred in the third quarter, after free safety Gene Atkins intercepted a pass thrown by Steve Bono and lateralled the ball to Vincent for a 56–yard touchdown return. In Week 17, he recorded five solo tackles and set a season-high with four pass deflections during a 27–20 victory against the Detroit Lions. He finished the season with 52 combined tackles (41 solo), 17 pass deflections, five interceptions, and scored one touchdown in 13 games and 12 starts.
The Miami Dolphins finished atop the AFC East with a 10–6 record to clinch a playoff berth. On December 31, 1994, Vincent started in the AFC Wild-Card Game and recorded six combined tackles (four solo) and had a pass deflection as the Dolphins defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 27–17. The following week, the Dolphins were eliminated from the playoffs after losing 21–22 at the San Diego Chargers in the Divisional Round.
1995 season He returned as the No. 1 starting cornerback to start the regular season alongside J. B. Brown for the fourth consecutive season under defensive coordinator Tom Olivadotti. On September 3, 1995, Vincent started in the Miami Dolphins’ home-opener against the New York Jets and recorded one solo tackle, set a season-high with three pass deflections, set a season-high with two interceptions, and made the first pick-six of his career as the Dolphins routed the Jets 14–52. His first interception returned for a touchdown in his career occurred in the third quarter after he intercepted a pass by Boomer Esiason and returned it 69–yards for a touchdown. In Week 15, he set a season-high with seven solo tackles, had one pass break-up, and intercepted a pass Steve Bono threw to wide receiver Keith Cash as the Dolphins defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 6–13. He started in all 16 games throughout the 1995 NFL season for the first time in his career and recorded 62 combined tackles (52 solo), 12 pass deflections, five interceptions, and one touchdown.
The Miami Dolphins finished the season third in the AFC East with a 9–7 record, qualifying for a Wild-Card position. On December 30, 1995, Vincent started in the AFC Wild-Card Game and made one solo tackle, two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass Jim Kelly threw to wide receiver Bill Brooks during a 22–37 loss at the Buffalo Bills.