- Adalius Thomas
Adalius Donquail Thomas (born July 18, 1977 in Equality, Alabama) is an American football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League.
- Michael McCrary
Michael Curtis McCrary (born July 7, 1970 in Vienna, Virginia) is a former American Football defensive end who played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Baltimore Ravens for ten years between 1993 and 2002. McCrary was a two time Pro Bowler in 1998 and 1999. McCrary was inducted to the Ravens' Ring of Honor in 2004.
- Rob Burnett
Robert Barry Burnett (born August 27, 1967) is a former defensive end who played in the NFL for 14 seasons.
- Howie Long
Howard Michael "Howie" Long (born January 6, 1960 in Somerville, Massachusetts) is a former American football player who played as a defensive end, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000. Long has been married since June 27, 1982, to the former Diane Addonizio and they have three sons, one of whom, Christopher, plays football at the University of Virginia. The family resides in Charlottesville, Virginia.
- Reggie White
Reginald Howard "Reggie" White (December 19, 1961 - December 26, 2004) was a professional American football player. He was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee and attended Howard School. Nicknamed the "Minister of Defense", a dual reference to his football prowess and his Evangelical Christian ordination, White is one of the all-time leaders in sacks in NFL history. He was married to the former Sara Copeland, with whom he had two children, Jeremy and Jecolia.
- Leonard Little
Leonard Antonio Little (born October 19, 1974 in Asheville, North Carolina) is an American football Defensive End who currently plays for the St. Louis Rams of the NFL. He attended the University of Tennessee. After a drunken birthday in 1998, NFL star Leonard Little crashed into and killed another motorist, Susan Gutweiler. When tested, his blood alcohol level measured 0.19 percent. Little received 90 days, four years probation and 1000 hours of community service.
- Jason Taylor
Jason Paul Taylor (born September 1, 1974 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is an American football player who currently plays defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the NFL. He attended the University of Akron. Taylor has a total of 106 sacks (as of December 19, 2006), placing him third amongst currently active players, and is credited with 36 forced fumbles for his career. He has been selected to five Pro Bowls.
- Michael Strahan
Michael Anthony Strahan (born November 21, 1971, in Houston, Texas) is an American Football player who currently plays Defensive End for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He attended Texas Southern University and was drafted in the second round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. Strahan was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press in 2001, because of his record 22.5 sacks.
- Jack Youngblood
Herbert Jackson Youngblood III is a former American football defensive end who played for the Los Angeles Rams. Inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. Son of Herbert J. and Kay Youngblood, he has two sisters, Paula and Lynn. Married to Barbara and has a son, Robert (who played soccer at University of West Florida). Currently makes Orlando, Florida, his home which he enjoys sharing with the family pets——an 18-year old golden retriever named Jake, …
- Jeff Cross
Jeffrey Allen Cross (born May 25, 1966 in Riverside, California) is a former American football defensive end who played for the Miami Dolphins his entire career from 1988 to 1995. Selected in the 9th round of the 1988 NFL Draft, Cross only missed three games in his pro career. He was selected to his one and only Pro Bowl in 1990.
- Bruce Smith
Bruce Smith (born June 18, 1963 in Norfolk, Virginia) is a former NFL football player who currently holds the NFL record for most career quarterback sacks with 200. He was born in Norfolk, Virginia. He was named in honor of his fathers' idol, Bruce Brewington.
- Mario Williams
Mario Williams (born January 31, 1985) is an American football defensive end for the Houston Texans franchise of the National Football League. He attended North Carolina State from 2003 to 2005. He was selected first overall by the Texans in the 2006 NFL Draft, being the first Atlantic Coast Conference player chosen as the first overall pick.
- Simeon Rice
Simeon Rice (born February 24, 1974 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American football defensive end who currently plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He went to University of Illinois and was drafted in 1996 by Arizona. He attended Mount Carmel High School on Chicago's south side, the same school as current Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.
- Marquise Hill
Marquise Hill (August 7, 1982 - May 28, 2007) was an American football defensive end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. Hill attended De La Salle High School in New Orleans where he was named as an All-American and the best defensive lineman in the nation by many publications. Hill then played college football in Louisiana State University and was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft.
- Will Smith
Will Smith (born July 4, 1981 in Queens, New York) is an American football defensive end who currently plays for the New Orleans Saints of the NFL. He played college football at The Ohio State University.
- Richard Seymour
Richard Vershaun Seymour (born October 6, 1979 in Gadsden, South Carolina) is an American football defensive lineman for the New England Patriots of the National Football League.
- Kevin Carter
Kevin Louis Carter (born September 21, 1973 in Miami, Florida) is an American football defensive end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played collegiately at Florida.
- Elvin Bethea
Elvin Lamont Bethea is a former American football defensive end who played his entire career with the Houston Oilers. He was a three-time All-American when he played for North Carolina A&T State University and was the first person from that school to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. During his career in Houston, Bethea played in 210 games, including a stretch of 135 consecutive.
- Jevon Kearse
Jevon Kearse is an American football player who currently plays Defensive End for the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL. Due to his rare athleticism and threatening style of play, he is known throughout the league as “The Freak”. His cousin, Phillip Buchanon, currently plays cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Richard Dent
Richard Lamar Dent (born December 13 1960) is a former American football defensive end who played primarily for the Chicago Bears of the NFL. He was the MVP of Super Bowl XX. He was the first defensive lineman to win the award since 1978.
- Warren Sapp
Warren Carlos Sapp (born December 19, 1972 in Orlando, Florida) is a professional football player for the NFL's Oakland Raiders. Sapp is known for his intense and aggressive defensive plays.
- Demarcus Ware
Demarcus Ware (born July 31, 1982 in Auburn, Alabama) is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL. He was selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft out of Troy State University.
- Dwight Freeney
Dwight Jason Freeney (born February 19, 1980 in Hartford, Connecticut) is an American football player who currently plays defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts.
- Julius Peppers
Julius Frazier Peppers (born January 18, 1980 in Wilson, North Carolina) is a professional American football player. He currently plays defensive end for the Carolina Panthers. He and Donovan McNabb are the only people to ever play in both the NCAA men's basketball Final Four and the NFL's Super Bowl. He is named after legendary NBA players Julius Erving and Walt Frazier.
- Hugh Douglas
Hugh Lamont Douglas (born August 23, 1971 in Mansfield, Ohio), is a former American football defensive end. His playing career included stints with the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles (twice), and the Jacksonville Jaguars. In his first season in 1995, Douglas was named Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press. Hugh was cut by the Eagles prior to the 2005 season, but was resigned to the front office position of "Good-Will Ambassador" shortly after.
- Trevor Pryce
Trevor Pryce (born August 3, 1975 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American professional football player currently with the Baltimore Ravens. A 6'5", 295 -lb. defensive end from Clemson University, Pryce was selected by the Denver Broncos in the 1st round (28th overall) of the 1997 NFL Draft. While with the Broncos, Pryce won two Super Bowls and was selected to the Pro Bowl four times from 1999-2002. He was released by Denver after the 2005 season because of salary cap reasons.
- Jim Marshall
Jim Marshall (born December 30, 1937 Danville, Kentucky) played college football at Ohio State University. He left school before his senior year, and played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was then drafted in the 4th round of the 1960 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. Marshall played the 1960 season with the Browns. He played from 1961 to 1979 with the Minnesota Vikings.
- Bryant Young
Bryant Colby Young (born January 27, 1972 in Chicago Heights, Illinois) is an NFL player for the San Francisco 49ers. He plays the defensive end position. He was drafted by the 49ers in the 1st round (7th overall) in the 1994 NFL Draft. As of 2007, Young is the last remaining player on the 49ers' active roster who was a part of their 49ers' Super Bowl XXIX victory over the San Diego Chargers. He has 83 career sacks.
- Bobby Bell
Robert Lee Bell, Jr (born June 17, 1940, in Shelby, North Carolina, USA, is a former collegiate and professional American football linebacker/defensive end. He excelled in several sports at a then-segregated Cleveland High School. At the University of Minnesota, he was named an All-American and the winner of the 1962 Outland Trophy and the nation's outstanding interior lineman.
- Bo Schobel
Robert Edward Schobel (born March 24, 1981 in Columbus, Texas) is an American football defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL. He attended Texas Christian University. He is the cousin of Buffalo Bills defensive end Aaron Schobel and Philadelphia Eagles tight end Matt Schobel. He used to play for the Tennessee Titans.
- Marcus Spears
Marcus Raishon Spears (born March 8, 1983 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is an American football defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL. He was selected in the 1st round (20th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft out of Louisiana State University. He was initially recruited by LSU as a tight end, but was soon moved to the defensive side of the ball. He scored a touchdown on an interception return to help LSU defeat the Oklahoma Sooners in the Sugar Bowl, …
- Derrick Thomas
Derrick Vincent Thomas (January 1 1967 - February 8 2000) was an NFL linebacker who played his entire professional career for the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Willie Davis
William Delford Davis was born July 24 1934 in Lisbon, Louisiana. Willie, grew up in rural Louisiana and graduated from Grambling State University, The Cleveland Browns drafted Davis in the 15th round in the 1956 NFL Draft, and he was originally an offensive tackle, but didn't play up to his standards, but in 1959 Green Bay Packers GM/Head Coach Vince Lombardi saw talent in Davis.
- Chris Canty
Christopher Lee Canty (born November 10 1982 in The Bronx, New York) is an American football defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL. He was selected with the 31st pick of the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of the University of Virginia. Canty attended Charlotte Latin School in Charlotte, North Carolina where he led is team to the NCISAA State Championship in 1999 on his way to All-Conference and All-State honors. He also was a starter in basketball.
- Doug Atkins
Douglas Leon Atkins (born May 8, 1930, in Humboldt, Tennessee) is a former American Football defensive end who played for the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears and the New Orleans Saints. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- John Abraham
John Abraham (born May 6 1978 in Timmonsville, South Carolina) is an NFL defensive end currently playing for the Atlanta Falcons.
- Grant Wistrom
Grant Alden Wistrom, (born July 3, 1976 in Joplin, Missouri), is a former American Football defensive end who played for the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks during his 8 year career. In addition to his athletic pursuits, Grant has established the Grant Wistrom Foundation, a charitable organization for pediatric cancer patients and their families.
- Jarvis Green
Jarvis Green (born January 12, 1979 in Thibodaux, Louisiana) is an American football defensive end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He has an interactive web site at www.jarvisgreen.com
- Justin Tuck
Justin Tuck (born March 29 1983 in Kellyton, Alabama) is an American football player who currently plays defensive end for the New York Giants.
- Luis Castillo
Luis Alberto Castillo (born August 4, 1983 in Garfield, New Jersey), is an American football defensive end for the San Diego Chargers of the NFL. Currently he wears jersey #93 for the Chargers.