Russell Maryland

Russell Maryland
No. 67, 97
Position: Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1969-03-22) March 22, 1969
Chicago, Illinois
Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight: 308 lb (140 kg)
Career information
High school: Chicago (IL) Young
College: Miami (FL)
NFL Draft: 1991 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Sacks: 24.5
Tackles: 375
Forced fumbles: 9
Interceptions: 1
Touchdowns: 1
Player stats at NFL.com

Russell James Maryland (born March 22, 1969) is a former professional American football player. He played defensive tackle for ten seasons for the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Cowboys first overall in the 1991 NFL Draft. He played college football for the University of Miami Hurricanes.

Early years

Maryland was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, where he played high school football at Whitney Young High School. He was not highly recruited and the only major college program to offer him a scholarship was the University of Miami.

In 1989, he was named third team All-American. As a senior in 1990, he registered 96 tackles and 10½ quarterback sacks for the Hurricanes. He was named All-American, College Football Lineman of the Year by the UPI and became the first Hurricane player ever to receive the Outland Trophy for the best lineman in college.[1]

Maryland finished his college career with 279 tackles, 25 tackles for losses and 20.5 quarterback sacks, while helping his team win two national championships, four bowl games, a perfect home record and a 44-4 overall record.

Prior to his graduation from Miami, Russell was inducted into the Iron Arrow Honor Society, the highest honor bestowed by the university.[2]

Maryland was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011 and to the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

He was the first overall pick in the 1991 NFL Draft, by the Dallas Cowboys, after the initial No. 1 prospect Raghib Ismail decided to sign with the Toronto Argonauts.[3] After the New England Patriots failed to sign Ismail, the Cowboys attempted to do so by trading for the first overall pick, sending the Patriots Eugene Lockhart, Ron Francis, David Howard, a 1991 first round pick (#11 Pat Harlow) and a 1991 second round pick (#41 Jerome Henderson).

Maryland started as a rookie defensive tackle and from the beginning showed the relentless motor and effort that he would be known for. He was especially stout against the run and helped the team win three Super Bowls. In 1993 he was named to his only Pro Bowl.

Oakland Raiders

In 1996 he signed as a free agent with the Oakland Raiders and played for the team until the end of the 1999 season when he was waived.

Green Bay Packers

In 2000 he was signed as a free agent by the Green Bay Packers where he played only one year.

During his 10-year career he started 140-of-154 games, had 375 tackles, 24.5 sacks and forced nine fumbles.

NFL statistics

YearTeamGamesCombined TacklesTacklesAssisted TacklesSacksForced FumblesFumble Recoveries
1991DAL160004.500
1992DAL140002.502
1993DAL164332112.502
1994DAL16302823.001
1995DAL13312562.010
1996OAK165241112.000
1997OAK167955244.510
1998OAK154835132.000
1999OAK165133181.511
2000GB163718190.000
Career15437126710424.536

[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Maryland Wins Trophy". New York Times. December 6, 1990.
  2. ↑ "Russell Maryland Set for Sept. 17 NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute," Missouri Sports Magazine
  3. ↑ George, Thomas (April 22, 1991). "When Rocket Skips, Lineman Soars to Top". New York Times.
  4. ↑ "Russell Maryland Stats". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
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