Darrelle Revis
A shutdown cornerback so dominant that his side of the field became a no-fly zone, redefining the value of a defensive star in the NFL.
Born 1985 (age 41)·American football player·Birthday: July 14·Millennials
Biography
Darrelle Revis didn't just cover receivers; he erased them, earning the nickname 'Revis Island' for the lonely exile he imposed on the league's best wideouts. Drafted by the New York Jets in 2007, he combined rare athletic gifts with obsessive film study and technical precision, blanketing opponents without needing safety help. His peak seasons forced a recalculation of a cornerback's worth, leading to record contracts and a high-stakes trade to Tampa Bay. A serious knee injury in 2012 tested him, but he returned to win a Super Bowl with New England, proving his brilliance was rooted in intellect as much as physicality. His career stands as a masterclass in defensive artistry.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Darrelle was born in 1985, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Darrelle Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Darrelle's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2003Could vote
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Turned 21
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won Super Bowl XLIX with the New England Patriots in the 2014 season.
- Selected to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 2010s.
- Named First-Team All-Pro four times (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014) and to seven Pro Bowls.
- Recorded 29 career interceptions and 139 passes defended over 11 seasons.
Did You Know?
He was drafted 14th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft out of the University of Pittsburgh.
His 'Revis Island' nickname was popularized by Jets broadcaster and former player Ray Lucas.
Revis briefly played for the Kansas City Chiefs in his final NFL season before retiring in 2018.
He is a cousin of former NFL wide receiver Sean Gilbert.
“I'm on an island by myself. I wouldn't have it any other way.”
