Quintin Mikell Quintin Perry Mikell ( born September 16 , 1980 ) is an American football safety for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He played college football for Boise State University . Mikell was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2003 . Early years . Mikell played high school football for the Willamette Wolverines in Eugene , Oregon . He also played basketball and ran track . His younger brother Darrian played AAU basketball for the Trotters . Quintin ' s youngest brother , Devyn , is a top ranked track & field recruit in Indiana . College career . Mikell attended the Boise State University , and played for the Boise State Broncos football team . He finished his career ranked second on the school ' s all - time tackles list ( 401 ) . Professional career . Philadelphia Eagles . After being undrafted in the 2003 NFL Draft , Mikell signed with the Philadelphia Eagles . He has posted a team - leading 108 special teams tackles since joining the Eagles , including a career - high 35 in 2006 . As such , Mikell has been voted by his teammates as the Eagles special teams MVP in 2005 and 2006 . On defense , Mikell replaced the injured Sean Considine as the starting strong safety in 2007 and remained in that role through 2010 . On November 28 , 2004 , Mikell notched his first career interception , outjumping tight end Jeremy Shockey in the end zone for a pass thrown by quarterback Eli Manning late in the first half vs . the New York Giants . The play helped the Eagles preserve a 7 - 6 lead at halftime , and Philadelphia went on win , 27 - 6 , to clinch their fourth consecutive NFC East title . Mikell was a backup safety behind Pro Bowl ers Michael Lewis and Brian Dawkins for the 2004 NFC Championship team and played in Super Bowl XXXIX . His most significant contribution on special teams came on October 23 , 2005 , when , with the Eagles trailing the San Diego Chargers , 17 - 13 , late in the fourth quarter , he blocked a field goal attempt by placekicker Nate Kaeding ( who to that point had not missed a field goal all season ) , which teammate Matt Ware returned 65 yards for a touchdown to secure a 20 - 17 win . It was the first time in Eagles history that a blocked field goal was returned for a touchdown . In a Christmas Day win at Dallas in 2006 , Mikell propelled the Eagles with a key tackle for loss of running back Marion Barber on fourth down to finish off a goal - line stand . On February 27 , 2007 , Mikell inked a four - year contract with the Eagles , who prevented him from testing the free agent market . On January 9 , 2009 , Mikell was voted as a member of the 2008 NFL All - Pro Second - Team Defense . Mikell was named to the 2010 Pro Bowl after Adrian Wilson got hurt and Roman Harper could not play due to the Saints making it to Super Bowl XLIV . St . Louis Rams . Mikell was signed by the St . Louis Rams on July 29 , 2011 . The team released him on March 11 , 2013 . Carolina Panthers . Mikell was signed by the Carolina Panthers on September 2 , 2013 to a one - year contract . Safety Haruki Nakamura was placed on injured reserve to open up spot on the 53 - man roster . Mikell is expected to compete for the starting job at strong safety . Personal . Mikell returned to his native New Orleans , Louisiana , after Hurricane Katrina for the first time on October 13 , 2006 , the day before the Philadelphia Eagles would play the New Orleans Saints . He was heartbroken by the vast devastation and conditions of disaster still remaining at his grandmother ' s home and in her neighborhood one year after the hurricane . Philadelphia NBC 10 profiled his visit on an October 14 , 2006 , telecast .