Born on June 23, 1972, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Larry Whigham made a name for himself in the NFL not through flashy headlines or gaudy stat lines, but by becoming one of the most feared and respected special teams players of his era. On his birthday, it’s only fitting to recognize the legacy of a player who made an outsized impact in football’s most overlooked phase.
Whigham’s football journey began at Hattiesburg High School, a program rich in tradition in the heart of Pine Belt country. Known for his athleticism and raw speed, he played defensive back and special teams while also excelling in track. Though lightly recruited, Whigham’s versatility and football instincts drew attention from junior colleges across the region.
After High School Whigham went down the road to Pearl River Community College, where he stood out as a hard-hitting, athletic defensive back. He later transferred to Northeast Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Monroe), where his speed and instinct caught the attention of NFL scouts. In the 1994 NFL Draft, Whigham was selected in the 4th round (110th overall) by the Seattle Seahawks, though he would never play a down for them. Before the season began, he was traded to the New England Patriots — a move that would shape the course of his career.
It was in New England where Whigham made his biggest mark. Though officially listed as a safety, he carved out his reputation as a tenacious gunner and special teams ace. Over seven seasons with the Patriots (1994–2000), Whigham appeared in 111 games, helping New England reach the Super Bowl in the 1996 season. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1997 as a special teamer, earning First-Team All-Pro honors that same year. That season, he also produced one of his signature career moments: picking off Dolphins legend Dan Marino and returning it 60 yards for a touchdown, a play that became a fan favorite in Foxborough. In fact, three of his four career interceptions came against Marino
One of his most underrated contributions came during the 1997 AFC Championship Game against Jacksonville, when Whigham tackled the Jaguars’ punter at his own 4-yard line on a busted fake — a pivotal moment that set up a Patriots touchdown and swung momentum in New England’s favor. Moments like that defined his role: the unglamorous but essential backbone of field position battles and sudden game swings.
In 2001, Whigham signed with the Chicago Bears, bringing his leadership and special teams prowess to the Windy City. Over two seasons with the Bears, he played in 30 games and was again named to the Pro Bowl in 2001, this time representing the NFC. His relentless effort and field awareness helped Chicago secure a 13-3 season and the NFC Central title — the franchise’s best regular-season record in over a decade at that time.
Across his nine-year NFL career, Whigham played in 136 games, recording 184 total tackles, five sacks, four interceptions (one for a touchdown), three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. While those stats may not leap off the page, his true value came in the moments that don’t always make the box score — the sprinting tackles on kickoff coverage, the blocked punt setups, the constant field-flipping plays that gave his teams an edge.
Today, Larry Whigham remains one of the most respected special teamers of the modern era — a two-time Pro Bowler, All-Pro, and member of the Patriots’ All-1990s Team. His intensity, humility, and football IQ made him beloved by teammates and feared by opponents. Off the field, Whigham settled in Houston, Texas, with his wife Kenyatta, where he has continued to inspire through coaching and community outreach.
In July 2021, Larry Whigham was enshrined in the Hattiesburg High School Hall of Fame, joining the ranks of the city’s most distinguished alumni. As a standout for the Tigers, Whigham helped lead Hattiesburg High to a South State championship and became one of the school’s most celebrated athletes
In February 2023, Hattiesburg celebrated the unveiling of its “Generations Strong: Inspiring African Americans of Hattiesburg” commemorative wall at the Historic Eureka School in Downtown Hattiesburg. Whigham was one of the athletes honored with a plaque on the wall.
On his birthday, we wanted to honor one of the greatest special teams players the NFL has ever seen — a hometown hero whose journey from Hattiesburg High to Pearl River Community College, to Pro Bowl glory with the Patriots and Bears, is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and pride in one’s roots. Larry Whigham didn’t just play football — he changed the field position battle every time he stepped on it, earned the respect of teammates and opponents alike, and became a symbol of what it means to rise from Mississippi to the highest levels of the sport.
Happy Birthday, Larry Whigham — a Pine Belt legend.
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