Zack Bowman Zackary Bowman ( born November 18 , 1984 ) is an American football cornerback , for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Bears in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft . He played college football at Nebraska . Early years . Bowman attended Batesburg - Leesville High in Batesburg , South Carolina and later attended Bartlett High School in Anchorage , Alaska and graduated in 2003 . College career . After Bowman attended New Mexico Military Institute , he attended University of Nebraska - Lincoln . In his two seasons at Nebraska Bowman had a total of 56 tackles , 20 pass break ups , 3 interceptions , and he played in 22 games , 9 of which he started . Bowman had to redshirt the 2006 season due to torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on the third day of fall practice and missed the season . Professional career . First stint with Chicago Bears . The Chicago Bears selected in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft . He made the team ' s opening day roster but was relegated to the practice squad to make room for guard Dan Buenning , who was acquired in a trade . The Bears signed Bowman off the practice squad in week seven , after their top three cornerbacks were ruled out of a game against the Minnesota Vikings due to injuries . Bowman played a crucial role in the Bears victory over the Vikings by recovering a fumbled punt in the endzone for a touchdown . Bowman sustained an injury in the fourth quarter , which should have left him sidelined for the remainder of the game , but he insisted on returning due to the Bears shallow depth at the cornerback position . He recorded his first career interception upon returning , which also prevented the Vikings from engineering a last second touchdown drive . Bowman required surgery to repair the injury he sustained during the game , and was placed on the team ' s injury reserve for the remainder of the season . His efforts during the week merited him the " NFC Special Teams Player of the Week " Award . In training camp 2009 , coaches were very impressed with Bowman ' s abilities and play on the practice field . Despite missing most of the preseason with a hamstring injury , Bowman was expected to be a key part of the Bears secondary in 2009 with teammates Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman . In Week 2 of the regular season , Bowman took over Vasher ' s starting spot at cornerback . He recorded 66 tackles , six interceptions , and one forced fumble over the course of the season . During the Bears 2010 mini camp , head coach Lovie Smith announced that Bowman would replace Charles Tillman as the team ' s left side cornerback . In a typical Cover 2 defense , team ' s will usually place their best cornerback on the left side of their defensive formations . Minnesota Vikings . Bowman signed a one year deal with the Minnesota Vikings on March 26 , 2012 . On September 2 , 2012 , he was waived to make room for A . J . Jefferson . Second stint with Chicago Bears . Bowman was later resigned by the Bears . In Week 16 against the Arizona Cardinals , Bowman recovered Beanie Wells ' fumble in the endzone for a Bears touchdown , as the Bears won 28 - 13 . In 2013 , Bowman was an unrestricted free agent , but signed a one - year deal with the Bears . Personal . Bowman was married to wife , Alicia until their divorce in 2012 . Bowman was a sociology major and earned his degree in December 2007 .