Jessie Bates

CAREER

• Has started all 130 games he has played in the NFL, recording 809 tackles (533 solo), 70 passes defensed and 27 interceptions over eight seasons for the Falcons and Bengals.
• Started all 17 games and was named second-team AP All-Pro after recording 98 tackles (57 solo), six passes defensed, three interceptions and two quarterback hits in 2025.
• Intercepted a pass and brought it back for a 34-yard touchdown with 8:42 remaining in the second quarter of Week 17 of 2025, his fourth career pick six and third as a Falcon. Bates is the fourth Falcon to record at least three pick-sixes (Deion Jones, Kevin Mathis and Deion Sanders). 
• Became the only player in the NFL to record a pick-six in each of the last three seasons (2023-25). 
• Totaled nine tackles (six solo), two passes defensed, one forced fumble and one interception, his second of the season, in Week 10 of the 2025 season. His 26 interceptions rank fourth amongst active players.
• Bates' interceptions in Weeks 9-10  of the 2025 season marked the fourth time in his career, and third as a Falcon, he had an interception in back-to-back games.
• Started all 17 games in 2024 and recorded 102 tackles (62 solo), 10 passes defensed, four interceptions, one fumble recovery, a career-high four forced fumbles and one sack. 
• Was the only player in the league in 2024 to have four forced fumbles and four interceptions. 
• Became the sixth player in Falcons history to record a pick-six two-or-more times in their career.
• Started all 17 games in 2023, recording single-season career highs in tackles (132), interceptions (six) and forced fumbles (three), while adding 11 passes defensed, three tackles for loss and one quarterback hit.
• Led the team in tackles and became the first player in franchise history to record at least 100 tackles (132) and six interceptions in a season.
• Started 16 games in 2022, registering 71 tackles (38 solo), eight passes defensed, four interceptions, one forced fumble and one tackle for loss.
• Started 15 games in 2021, tallying 88 tackles (67 solo), four passes defensed, three tackles for loss, one interception, one quarterback hit and one fumble recovery.
• Started 16 games in 2020, recording 107 tackles (76 solo), a single-season career-high 15 passes defensed, three interceptions, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one quarterback hit.
• 2020 marked his third consecutive season with 100-or-more total tackles.
• Started all 16 games in 2019, posting 100 tackles (71 solo), nine passes defensed, three interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
• In his rookie season in 2018, he registered 111 tackles (73 solo), seven passes defensed, three interceptions and one defensive touchdown, the first of his career.

HONORS

• Pro Bowl Selection (2023)
• NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 2, 2024)
• NFC Defensive Player of the Week (2x - Week 1, 2023; Week 12, 2023)
• 2x Second-team AP All-Pro (2020, 2023, 2025)
• Players' All-Pro Team via NFLPA (2023)
• PFWA All-NFL Team (2023)
• PFWA All-NFC Team (2023)
• Sporting News NFL All-Pro Team (2023)
• PFWA All-Rookie Team (2018)

COLLEGE

• Played three seasons (2015-17) at Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, N.C.
• In 24 games at Wake Forest, he posted 179 tackles (120 solo), 9.5 tackles for losses, six interceptions, nine passes defensed and two forced fumbles.
• Averaged 32.5 return yards on six career interceptions and his 195 total return yards were the third-most in school history.
• Posted 26 career punt returns for 234 yards (9.0) and a touchdown.
• In 2017, he played in 11 games, totaling 77 tackles (49 solo), six passes defensed, six tackles for loss, one interception and one forced fumble.
• Had a 59-yard punt return for a touchdown in the Belk Bowl, the first punt return for a touchdown in Wake Forest bowl history.
• In his redshirt freshman year in 2016, he recorded single-season career highs in total tackles (100), interceptions (five) and touchdowns (two), while adding four passes defensed and 3.5 tackles for loss.
• Named a consensus Freshman All-American and earned first-team Freshman All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America, USA Today, Campus Insiders, ESPN, Athlon and Sports on Earth.
• Runner-up for ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year after finishing second in the ACC with five interceptions.
• Only freshman in the country to return two interceptions for touchdowns in 2016.

PERSONAL

• Born in Fort Wayne, Ind.
• Attended Snider HS in Fort Wayne, Ind.
• Team captain as a senior.
• A two-time first-team all-state selection by the Associated Press in 2013 and 2014.
• Earned first-team all-state honors from USA Today in 2014.
• Recorded nine interceptions as a senior, tying the mark of NFL Hall of Famer Rod Woodson.
• Played point guard for the Snider basketball team.
• Son of Theresa Ladd.