- 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.
- Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Julius Taylor (born February 4, 1959, in Williamsburg, Virginia), commonly referred to as LT, is a retired Hall of Fame American football player. Taylor played his entire professional career as a linebacker for the New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL). He is often considered to be one of the greatest defensive players in the history of football, and has been called the greatest defensive player of all time by media members, …
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Deacon Jones
David D. "Deacon" Jones (born December 9, 1938 in Eatonville, Florida) nicknamed "Secretary of Defense" is an American athlete and actor. Born in Eatonville, Florida, Jones played professional football and is considered to be one of the greatest defensive ends of all time. Jones specialized in quarterback sacks, a term attributed to him. An extremely durable player, Jones missed only six games of a possible 196 regular-season encounters in his 14 NFL seasons.
- Quentin Groves
Quentin Groves (born July 5, 1984 in Greenville, Mississippi) is an American football defensive end playing collegiately for the Auburn Tigers in the Southeastern Conference. Groves has been named to the Chuck Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and Ted Hendricks Award watchlists for the 2007 college football season. Groves is a sack specialist and, with 23 already recorded, is approaching the Auburn career record of 26.
- Derrick Burgess
Derrick Lee Burgess (born August 12, 1978 in Lake City, South Carolina) is a defensive end who plays for the Oakland Raiders. Burgess was originally a third round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2001 after going to college at Ole Miss. He appeared in all 16 games as a rookie and had 6 quarterback sacks. In 2002, however, he broke his foot in the first game of the season and missed the rest of the year. He then missed all of 2003 due to a torn achilles tendon.
- Mark Gastineau
Marcus Dell Gastineau (born November 20, 1956) is a former American football player who was a leading defensive end for the New York Jets from 1979 to 1988. A five-time Pro Bowler, he was considered one of the quickest and most-feared pass-rushers of his generation, with 100.5 quarterback sacks in only his first hundred starts in the NFL. Mark Gastineau turned self-promotion into an art form with his dance ritual that accompanied quarterback sacks in the early 1980s.
- Ronde Barber
Jamael Orondé Barber is an American football player who currently plays cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL. He is the identical twin brother of former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber. On December 11, 2005, in a game against the Carolina Panthers, he became the first cornerback in the history of the NFL to record at least 20 interceptions and 20 sacks in his career. He became the seventh member of the 20/20 club, joining linebackers Seth Joyner, …
- Mike Jones
Michael Anthony Jones is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. During his NFL career, which started in 1991 and ended after 2002, Jones played on three teams: the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, the St. Louis Rams, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jones attended college at the University of Missouri, where he originally played as a running back. He was converted to the linebacker position when he signed with the Raiders as a rookie free agent.
- John Randle
John Randle (born December 12, 1967) is a former NFL defensive tackle who played for the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks. Born in Hearne, Texas, Randle was raised poor, and worked odd jobs when he was young. His brother Ervin Randle played as a linebacker for eight years. Randle started his college playing career at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas, before transferring to Texas A&I in Kingsville.
- Daniel Ruettiger
Daniel Eugene "Rudy" Ruettiger (b. August 23, 1948 in Joliet, Illinois) is a motivational speaker best known as the inspiration for the motion picture "Rudy". Ruettiger grew up in a middle class household; the third of fourteen children. He attended Joliet Catholic High School, where he played for legendary coach Gordie Gillespie and led the team in tackles his junior and senior years.
- Larry Foote
Lawrence Edward Foote, Jr. (born June 12, 1980 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL. He attended college at the University of Michigan and was a fourth round draft pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. Larry graduated from Pershing High School. Foote was a role player for much of his early career, but he had a breakout year in 2005. He started all 16 regular season games for the Steelers, …
- Rocky Bernard
Rocky Bernard (born April 19, 1979 in Baytown, Texas) is a current American defensive tackle who has played for the Seattle Seahawks since 2002. Bernard was drafted by the Seahawks in the 5th round of the 2002 NFL Draft after a college career in Texas A&M. Bernard was mostly used as a backup in his first three seasons in the league before becoming the starting defensive tackle in 2005, …
- Lofa Tatupu
Mosiula Mea'alofa Tatupu (born November 15, 1982 in Plainville, Massachusetts) is an American football linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks. He was selected in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of the University of Southern California. As a rookie in 2005, he was named to the Pro Bowl, while leading the NFC Champion Seahawks in tackles, with 104. He also had four sacks and three interceptions, …
- Oshiomogho Atogwe
At Stanford: A starter the past two seasons and 22 consecutive games, Atogwe enters the 2004 campaign as one of the best safeties in college football and a legitimate honors candidate ... He was the Cardinal's starter at strong safety in 2002 and team's starter at free safety in 2003 ... He is an active, aggressive, …
- Vonnie Holliday
Dimetry Giovonni "Vonnie" Holliday (born December 12, 1975 in Camden, South Carolina) is an American football defensive tackle who currently plays for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the first round (19th overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at North Carolina.
- Aaron Smith
Aaron Douglas Smith (born April 9, 1976 in Colorado Springs, Colorado) is a professional football player with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League. He plays left Defensive End in a 3-4 defensive alignment. Smith played college football at the University of Northern Colorado. While there he was the team captain for two straight years and set a university career record with 44 sacks.
- Jared Gaither
Jared Gaither (born March 18, 1986 in White Plains, Maryland) is an American football offensive tackle who currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Ravens in the fifth round of the 2007 Supplemental Draft. He played collegiately at The University of Maryland.
- Adrian Wilson
Adrian Wilson (born on October 12, 1979 in High Point, North Carolina) is a Strong Safety for the National Football League's Arizona Cardinals. He was selected by the Cardinals in the 3rd round of the 2001 NFL draft.
- Casey Hampton
Casey Hampton (born September 3 1977 in Galveston, Texas) is an American Football nose tackle who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. Hampton (#98) was selected out of the University of Texas in the first round with the 19th overall choice of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Steelers. He quickly emerged as a solid player in the middle of the defensive line while logging considerable time as a rookie.
- Pat Swilling
Patrick Travis Swilling (born October 25, 1964 in Toccoa, Georgia), is a former New Orleans Saints linebacker who turned his popularity as a versatile, speedy pass rusher into a seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives. A Democrat, Swilling is no longer a legislator. He had stated an interest in seeking the position of sheriff of Orleans Parish. He earned five Pro Bowl appearances. New Orleans fielded fierce defenses in 1991 and 1992, …
- Keith Traylor
Byron Keith Traylor (born September 3, 1969 in Little Rock, Arkansas) is an American football defensive tackle who currently plays for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round (61st overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at Central Oklahoma.
- Adam Seward
Adam Seward (Born:June 15, 1982 in Las Vegas, Nevada) is an National Football League inside linebacker who currently plays for the Carolina Panthers of the NFL. He was a native from West Wood. Seward was drafted by Carolina in the 5th round (149th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft. Seward attended college in his hometown of Las Vegas for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he played four years for the Rebels.
- Trev Alberts
Trev Alberts is entering his third season as a game and studio analyst for CBS College Sports Network. Alberts, a former NFL first-round draft choice, serves as a studio and game analyst for the network. He was previously at ESPN from 2002-2005, and CNN from 1997-2001. Born and raised in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Alberts went on to become a star linebacker at the University of Nebraska.
- Ryan Nece
Ryan Clint Nece (born February 24, 1979 in San Bernardino, California) is a professional American football player who plays for the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as one of their starting linebackers. He is the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott of the San Francisco 49ers. The Buccaneers signed him as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2002. He's considered a very intelligent, athletic and speedy linebacker, with the ability to deliver the big hit.
- Chuck Howley
Chuck Howley (born June 28, 1936 in Wheeling, West Virginia) was an American football linebacker who spent most of his career with the Dallas Cowboys.
- Marty Lyons
Martin A. Lyons (born January 15, 1957) is a former American Football defensive tackle who played his whole eleven year career from 1979 to 1989 with the New York Jets in the National Football League. He was part of the famed New York Sack Exchange, a dominant Jets front four in 1981 and 1982 that featured Mark Gastineau and Joe Klecko. Lyons is also known for the incident that ended Hall of Famer Dwight Stephenson's career, …
- Jeremy Newberry
Jeremy David Newberry (born on March 23, 1976 in Antioch, California) is an National Football League (NFL) center with the Oakland Raiders. He was drafted by the 49ers in the 2nd round (58th overall) in the 1998 NFL Draft. He went to University of California, Berkeley. He's widely considered as one of the best centers in the league. Newberry has gained recognition as one the toughest players in the league because he has played through numerous injuries.
- Gary Baxter
Gary Wayne Baxter (born November 24, 1978) is an American Football player for the Cleveland Browns. His size, listed at six feet two inches, 215 pounds, has given him the ability to play both safety and cornerback in the NFL. Baxter was drafted out of Baylor University in the second round, with the 62nd overall pick of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. After playing in a situational and reserve role for Baltimore during his rookie season, …
- Evan Mathis
Evan Mathis (born November 1, 1981 in Homewood, Alabama) is an American football guard who currently plays for the Carolina Panthers of the NFL. Mathis was selected in the 3rd round (79th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played four seasons on the offensive line for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. His first three years he played right tackle, before shifting to left guard as a senior.
- Michael Dean Perry
Michael Dean Perry (born August 27, 1965 in Aiken, South Carolina) is a former american football defensive lineman and the younger brother of William Perry. He played football at Clemson University and set the school record of 28 sacks (tied by defensive end Gaines Adams in 2006). He was later drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft. He played in the Pro Bowl 6 times and played for the Browns, the Denver Broncos, …
- 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.
- Grover Covington
Grover Covington was a Canadian Football League defensive end for the Hamilton Tigercats. He often led the league in quarterback sacks and was a division All-Star seven times. He won the Schenley Award for Most Outstanding Defensive Player once and also lead the Tigercats to a Grey Cup victory in 1986. He finished his career with 157 sacks, a CFL record. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
- David Thornton
David Dontay Thornton (born November 1, 1978 in Goldsboro, North Carolina) is a starting outside linebacker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. Thornton played college football at the University of North Carolina where he was teammates with Julius Peppers, and Ryan Sims. In his senior year, Thornton was named second team All-ACC and team MVP. He was drafted in the fourth round in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.
- William Fuller
William Fuller (born March 8, 1962 in Norfolk, Virginia) is a retired American football player who played defensive end for 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Fuller played collegiately for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) and professionally for the Philadelphia Stars of the United States Football League (USFL), and the Houston Oilers, Philadelphia Eagles, and San Diego Chargers of the NFL.
- Chris Zorich
Christopher Robert Zorich (born March 13, 1969 in Chicago) is a retired American football player. He was a defensive tackle. An only child of African American and Croatian descent, Zorich was raised by his mother on the South Side of Chicago, where he attended Chicago Vocational High School. He received a scholarship to play football for the University of Notre Dame in 1987, and he would win multiple accolades during his tenure with the Fighting Irish, …
- Kenoy Kennedy
Kenoy Kennedy (born November 15, 1977 in Dallas, Texas) is a strong safety for the Detroit Lions in the National Football League. Kennedy played college football for the University of Arkansas before he entered the 2000 NFL Draft. He was drafted in the second round, 14th pick, by the Denver Broncos. He became a free agent in 2005, and was signed by the Detroit Lions. As of the end of the 2006 season, …
- Tim Anderson
Tim Anderson (born on November 22, 1980, in Clyde, Ohio) is a defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. Wearing number 77, he is 6'3" and weighs 304 pounds. Anderson played high school football in Clyde, Ohio. After being named to the All-Ohio team, he attended the Ohio State University, where he was a starter for three years. As a freshman, Anderson played behind Ryan Pickett on the depth chart.