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PLAYER BIO5-10 | 208 | OHIO ST. | 6TH YEAR | BORN 7.24.85 | CLEVELAND, OHACQUIRED FA IN ‘11 | GLENVILLE HS, CLEVELAND, OHA physical presence in the defensive backfield, Donte Whitnerspent his first five NFL seasons as the Buffalo Bills starting strongsafety before joining the 49ers in 2011. Whitner was originally selected8th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft by Buffalo and went on tohelp the Bills finish in the top 10 in pass defense in three of his fiveyears (7th in ‘06, 2nd in ‘09, 3rd in ‘10) with the team.// TRANSACTIONSOriginally a 1st-round (8th overall) draft choice by Buf. in the 2006NFL Draft...Signed as an unrestricted free agent by SF on 8/6/11.// AWARDS & HONORS2006: Defensive Rookie of the Month (September), All-Rookie Team// GOLDMINE• Upon his arrival to the 49ers in August, it didn’t take long for Donteto reconnect with a familiar face. Both Donte and WR Ted Ginn Jr. attendedGlenville High School in Cleveland, playing for Ginn’s father,Ted Ginn Sr. Donte graduated from high school alongside former49ers QB Troy Smith, while Ted Jr. followed close behind a year later.• When Buffalo drafted Donte in 2006, he was just 20 years old. Hehad left for the NFL following his junior year in college, only aftergraduating several months early from high school to attend Ohio St.• Watching Donte sprint from sideline to sideline on Sundays makesit hard to believe there were doubts on whether he would be ableto walk again after suffering a near fatal accident as a youth. At theage of 6, Donte was run over by a car after darting into the middleof the street after a ball. For the next three months, Donte’s mother,Deborah, carted her son around their Cleveland neighborhood ina wagon. Donte, who suffered multiple fractures to both legs, wasforced to wear a body cast and doctors cautioned Deborah that herson might not be able to walk normally again. Obviously, Donte hassince proved the doctors wrong.// 2010 (BUFFALO)• Totaled a career-high 138 tackles to go along with a career-high 7PDs.• Led all defensive backs with 11 tackles, while recovering a fumblethat led to a Bills TD vs. Jax. (10/10).• Posted a career-high 18 tackles vs. Pit. (11/28).• Recorded first INT of season at Min. (12/5), adding 7 tackles and 1 PD.// 2009 (BUFFALO)• Recorded a career-high 2 INTs (one returned for TD).• Posted a 76-yd. INT return for a TD off QB Byron Leftwich vs. TB(9/20).// 2008 (BUFFALO)• Voted a team captain.• Recorded first career sack at StL. (9/28) for a loss of 13 yds. as thetakedown helped stall a Rams drive and lead to a missed FG attempt.• Forced a fumble at Den. (12/21) that was recovered by the Bills tohelp set up a Buffalo FG.// 2007 (BUFFALO)• Was the only Bills defender to take every snap (999) through thefirst 15 games. Streak came to an end in Week 17 due to illness (flu).• Recorded his first career FF on a Kevin Faulk pass recept. in the 2ndquarter vs. NE (11/18).• Posted second career INT vs. Mia. (12/9), with the turnover leadingto a WR Lee Evans TD.// 2006 (BUFFALO)• Started 14 of 15 games played in his rookie campaign, finishing secondon the team in tackles with 107, while posting 5 PDs and 1 INT.• Named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month (September).• In his first professional game, recorded an INT during 4th quarter togive Buffalo a chance to win the game at NE (9/10).• Made his first career start at strong safety at Mia. (9/17) and brokeup a crucial two-point conversion in the 4th quarter.• Led team with 14 tackles vs. Ten. (12/24).// COLLEGEStarted 18 of 35 games for the Buckeyes, registering 164 tackles, 5sacks, 13 TFLs, 9 PDs, 5 INTs, 2 FFs and 1 blocked punt returned fora TD. Earned First-Team All-Big Ten Conference honors as a juniorin 2005 after starting every game at strong safety and totaling 73tackles, 4 sacks, 9 TFLs, 6 PDs, 1 FF and 2 INTs (one returned for TD).Helped team rank 5th in the nation in total defense. (281.33 ypg.).Played in 10 games (6 starts) as a junior, sitting out contests afterundergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS \\167// MEDIA GUIDE