Troy Apke: A Rising Star in the NFL
If you are a fan of American football, you may have heard of Troy Apke, a cornerback for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He is one of the fastest and most versatile players in the league, and he has a bright future ahead of him. But who is Troy Apke, and what makes him special? In this article, we will explore his life, his career, and his achievements.
Troy Apke
Who is Troy Apke?
Troy Apke is a 28-year-old professional football player who plays for the Washington Commanders. He was born on April 11, 1995, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He comes from a family of athletes: his father, Steve Apke, was a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and his mother was a track and field runner for the Panthers. He has two sisters, Kelly and Katie, who also played sports in college.
Early life and high school career
Troy Apke grew up in Mt. Lebanon Township, a suburb of Pittsburgh. He attended Mt. Lebanon High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, and track and field. He was a three-year starter for the football team, playing wide receiver and safety. He had 1,776 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns on offense, and 68 tackles and three interceptions on defense in his junior and senior seasons. He was also a WPIAL champion in the 100-meter dash in 2014, with a time of 10.81 seconds.
College career at Penn State
Troy Apke was a three-star recruit who committed to Penn State University over offers from other schools such as Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, and Toledo. He played for the Penn State Nittany Lions from 2014 to 2017 as a safety. He played in 44 games, starting nine of them. He recorded 110 total tackles, two interceptions, six pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in his college career. He also graduated with a degree in telecommunications.
NFL career with Washington Commanders
Troy Apke was drafted by the Washington Redskins (now the Washington Commanders) in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the 109th overall pick. He signed a four-year contract worth $3.1 million with the team. He made his NFL debut on September 9, 2018, against the Arizona Cardinals. He played mostly on special teams in his rookie season, recording six tackles in nine games.
In his second season, he played in 15 games, starting two of them. He had 25 tackles and one pass deflection on defense, and six tackles on special teams. He also recovered a fumble by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and returned it for a touchdown on October 29, 2019.
In his third season, he played in 14 games, starting eight of them. He had 38 tackles, two pass breakups, and one interception on defense. He also had four tackles on special teams.
What makes Troy Apke special?
Troy Apke is not just an ordinary football player. He has some unique qualities that make him stand out from the crowd.
His speed and athleticism
Troy Apke is one of the fastest players in the NFL. He ran a blazing 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2018, which was the fastest among all safeties and tied for. the fourth-fastest among all players. He also has a 41-inch vertical jump and a 131-inch broad jump, which show his explosive power and agility. He can cover a lot of ground and close the gap on receivers and ball-carriers quickly. He can also leap high and contest passes in the air.
His versatility and intelligence
Troy Apke is not limited to one position or role on the field. He can play both safety and cornerback, as well as contribute on special teams. He can line up in different formations and coverages, depending on the situation and the opponent. He can also switch from man-to-man to zone defense, or vice versa, seamlessly. He has a good understanding of the game and the schemes, and he can read and react to the plays accordingly. He can also communicate well with his teammates and coaches, and make adjustments on the fly.
His work ethic and leadership
Troy Apke is a hard-working and dedicated player who strives to improve his skills and performance every day. He is always willing to learn from his coaches and mentors, such as former Redskins safety D.J. Swearinger, who taught him how to study film and prepare for games. He is also always ready to take on new challenges and responsibilities, such as playing cornerback in 2020 when the team was dealing with injuries in the secondary. He is a leader by example, who shows up early, stays late, and gives his best effort on every play.
What are Troy Apke's goals and achievements?
Troy Apke has some impressive goals and achievements in his football career so far.
His personal and team goals
Troy Apke's personal goal is to become a Pro Bowl player in the NFL, which is an honor given to the best players in each conference every year. He also wants to win a Super Bowl championship with his team, which is the ultimate goal of every NFL player. He believes that he has the potential and the opportunity to achieve both of these goals, as long as he keeps working hard and staying healthy.
Troy Apke's team goal is to help the Washington Commanders become a dominant force in the NFC East division and the NFL as a whole. He wants to be part of a defense that is feared and respected by other teams, and that can make big plays and win games. He also wants to be part of a culture that is positive, supportive, and competitive, and that fosters camaraderie and trust among the players.
His awards and honors
Troy Apke has received some awards and honors for his football achievements at different levels. Here are some of them:
Level
Award/Honor
Year
High School
All-State Class AAAA First Team (Pennsylvania)
2013
College
Academic All-Big Ten
2015, 2016, 2017
NFL
NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 7)
2020
His charitable and community involvement
Troy Apke is not only a football player, but also a good citizen who cares about his community and society. He has been involved in various charitable and community activities, such as:
Participating in the Redskins' annual "4th & Life High School Football Forum", where he spoke to high school students about preparing for life after football.
Volunteering at the Redskins' annual "Harvest Feast", where he helped distribute Thanksgiving food baskets to families in need.
Supporting the Redskins' "Salute to Service" initiative, where he visited military bases and hospitals to thank service members and veterans for their sacrifices.
Donating $10,000 to his alma mater Mt. Lebanon High School's athletic department, which was used to purchase new equipment for the football team.
Partnering with "Athletes for Animals", a nonprofit organization that advocates for animal welfare and adoption.
Conclusion
Troy Apke is a rising star in the NFL who plays for the Washington Commanders. He is a fast, versatile, and intelligent player who can play both safety and cornerback, as well as contribute on special teams. He is also a hard-working and dedicated player who strives to improve his skills and performance every day. He is also a good citizen who cares about his community and society. He has some impressive goals and achievements in his football career, and he is determined to reach them. He is a player to watch and admire, and a role model for many young athletes.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Troy Apke:
What is Troy Apke's height and weight?
Troy Apke is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 200 pounds.
What is Troy Apke's jersey number?
Troy Apke wears the number 30 on his jersey.
What is Troy Apke's contract situation?
Troy Apke is under contract with the Washington Commanders until 2022. He will become an unrestricted free agent after that season.
What is Troy Apke's net worth?
Troy Apke's net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Is Troy Apke married or dating?
Troy Apke is not married, but he is dating a woman named Lauren, who often posts pictures of them on her Instagram account.
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