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free safety

American

noun

Football.

a member of a secondary, usually the deepest-playing defender, with no specific assignment at the snap of the ball, but often covering the area of the field across from the weak side of the opponent's offensive line against runs and long pass plays.

Example Sentences

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free safety

He suspected he changed his mind because the Bruins had said from the start they were recruiting him to play free safety while Michigan wanted him as a quarterback, his other high school position.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 15, 2025

She plays free safety and it’s tough for any big plays to happen with her defending the field.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 13, 2024

Additionally, CSU provides an app linking students to the university's police department and offers a free safety escort service for campus and nearby student housing.

From BBC ● Apr. 26, 2024

The reality is, Adams already was largely playing a linebacker-type role — of his 518 snaps last year, just 85 were at free safety, according to Pro Football Focus.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 21, 2024

It’s also possible that rising sophomore Adrian Wilson could move over from free safety next fall.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 5, 2024

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023