Muhammad Wilkerson
A dominant and disruptive force on the defensive line, whose peak seasons with the New York Jets redefined interior pressure.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American football player·Birthday: October 22·Millennials
Biography
Muhammad 'Mo' Wilkerson emerged from the trenches of North Jersey and Temple University to become one of the NFL's most formidable defensive ends. Drafted in the first round by the New York Jets in 2011, he quickly established himself as the anchor of a fearsome defensive front. At his best, Wilkerson was a rare blend of brute strength and surprising agility for a man his size, capable of collapsing the pocket from the interior and swallowing up running backs. His 2015 season was a masterpiece: 12 sacks, a Pro Bowl selection, and a First-Team All-Pro nod, cementing his status as a premier player. While later years were marred by injuries and inconsistency, the image of Wilkerson in his prime—a relentless, game-wrecking presence in green and white—remains indelible for Jets fans.
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.
Muhammad was born in 1989, 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 Muhammad Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Muhammad's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected to the Pro Bowl and named a First-Team All-Pro in 2015 after recording 12 sacks.
- Recorded a career total of 44.5 sacks over 123 games played in the NFL.
- Was a key pillar of the New York Jets' top-ranked defensive unit in 2015.
- Started 95 games for the New York Jets from 2011 to 2017.
Did You Know?
He was a standout high school basketball player in New Jersey.
He wore number 96 throughout his NFL career.
He played his final NFL season with the Green Bay Packers in 2018.
He majored in criminal justice at Temple University.
“Disruption in the backfield starts with controlling your gap.”
