From Samford to the NFL
Before Samford University joined the SoCon in 2008, the Bulldogs competed in the Ohio Valley Conference. Between 2002 and 2005, Cortland Finnegan was the heart of Samford’s defense. A three-time All-American and the OVC Defensive Player of the Year in 2003, Finnegan’s collegiate career was marked by intensity, leadership, and consistency.
He led the Bulldogs in tackles for three consecutive seasons, showcasing the tenacity that would define his professional career. Despite his smaller stature and lack of major recruiting attention, Finnegan’s drive was unmatched. He chose Samford because he wanted to play immediately rather than redshirt at a bigger school, a decision that allowed him to grow both as a player and as a person.
That foundation of character and perseverance became the bedrock of his NFL journey.
Draft Day and the Road to the Pros
Finnegan’s path to the NFL was anything but conventional. He wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine, but he turned heads during a pro day at UAB, where his speed and competitiveness drew attention from scouts. Ten NFL teams brought him in for private workouts, and on draft day, his work paid off.
The Tennessee Titans selected Finnegan in the seventh round (215th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft, making him only the third player ever drafted from Samford and the first in 37 years.
Over the next decade, Finnegan built a reputation as one of the league’s most fearless and fiery cornerbacks. His NFL résumé includes:
- 10 seasons in the NFL
- 663 total tackles
- 18 interceptions, including 4 returned for touchdowns
- Teams: Tennessee Titans (6 seasons), St. Louis Rams (2), Miami Dolphins (1), Carolina Panthers (1)
The Carolina Comeback: 2015–2016 Season
After briefly retiring, Finnegan returned to the league in November 2015 when the Carolina Panthers, then undefeated at 12–0, signed him to a one-year, $870,000 contract. The team needed depth after cornerback Charles Tillman suffered a knee injury, and Finnegan’s experience proved invaluable.
In the final five games of the regular season, he recorded 18 tackles, helping the Panthers secure the NFC’s top seed. His postseason performance was even more impressive. In the Divisional Round against the Seattle Seahawks, Finnegan intercepted Russell Wilson, adding six tackles and a pass deflection in a 31–24 victory.
That play helped propel Carolina to Super Bowl 50, marking the pinnacle of Finnegan’s career.
Super Bowl 50
Played on February 7, 2016, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Super Bowl 50 was historic—not only as the first to use Arabic numerals but also as the final game of Peyton Manning’s illustrious career.
The Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24–10, powered by a dominant defense led by Von Miller, who earned MVP honors with two strip-sacks that led to touchdowns. Despite the loss, Finnegan’s performance was solid. He tallied four tackles (two solo, two assisted).
Though he came up one win short of a championship, Finnegan’s journey from a small school to the NFL’s biggest stage remains a remarkable story.
SoCon Legacy in the Pros
The Southern Conference has long served as a breeding ground for elite athletes who rise to prominence in professional sports. Finnegan’s success story underscores how SoCon programs, even those that joined later like Samford, continue to produce players capable of competing at the highest level.
His career serves as a reminder that the SoCon’s influence extends far beyond college athletics—it shapes the character, work ethic, and resilience of its athletes long after they leave campus.
The Point After
On February 7, 2016, as Cortland Finnegan took the field under the bright lights of the NFL’s biggest stage, he carried with him not only the pride of the Carolina Panthers, but also the enduring legacy of Samford University. His journey to Super Bowl 50 was more than a football story—it was a testament to perseverance, faith, and how athletes from the smaller ranks of college sports continue to leave a lasting mark on the professional game.
