David M. Pollack (born June 19, 1982 in New Brunswick, New Jersey), is a former American football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was originally drafted 17th overall by the Bengals in the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia.

[edit] High school years

David Pollack attended Shiloh High School in Snellville, Georgia, and was a student and a star in football, basketball and wrestling. In football, as a senior, he was a Class 5A All-State selection and the Atlanta Touchdown Club named him the Defensive Lineman of the Year.

[edit] College career

Pollack played signed with the University of Georgia and was a roommate of NFL quarterback David Greene.

He became only the second 3-time All-American in school history (2002, 2003, 2004), next to Heisman winner Herschel Walker. In addition to his All-American honors, Pollack received the:

• 2002 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year Award,
• 2004 Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year Award,
• 2004 Chuck Bednarik Award: given annually to the top collegiate defensive player,
• 2003 and 2004 Ted Hendricks Award: given annually to the top collegiate defensive end,
• 2004 Lombardi Award: given annually to the top defensive or offensive collegiate lineman who, in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the discipline of Vince Lombardi, and
• 2004 Lott Trophy: given annually to a defensive player exemplifying integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community, and tenacity.

His signature play came during the second game of the 2002 season. Pollack batted down a pass from South Carolina quarterback Corey Jenkins in the South Carolina end zone and managed to catch the ball in the end zone before it hit the ground; Pollack was credited with a 0-yard interception return for a touchdown. Pollack ended his college career with 36 sacks, a University of Georgia all-time record.^[1]

He earned a bachelor's degree in History.

[edit] Professional career

[edit] Pre-draft measureables

(* represents NFL Combine; **represents Georgia Pro Day) ^[2]

Pollack was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round (17th overall) in the 2005 NFL Draft. On August 17, 2005, Pollack signed a five-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, worth up to $13 million and with $7.65 million in guaranteed money. Pollack's agents and Bengals management were at a stalemate in negotiations for nineteen days, and consequently, Pollack missed the entire Bengals training camp.

[edit] Injury

In the Bengals' September 17, 2006 game against in-state rival Cleveland Browns, Pollack suffered what was later determined to be a broken sixth cervical vertebrae on a first quarter tackle on running back Reuben Droughns. He reportedly suffered no paralysis, but was taken off the field on a stretcher and underwent surgery and was forced to wear a halo brace for three months. Pollack's injury was determined to be a possible career-ending one. However, on January 7, 2007, ESPN reported that Pollack would be able to resume his career as long as the rehabilitation process went as planned. On July 11, 2007, it was announced that Pollack would not play at all during the 2007 season as his recovery continued.^[3] On April 22, 2008 Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis announced that Pollack was "not completely comfortable where he [was] medically" and that he would retire.^[4]

[edit] Career after football

Pollack's new company, FanBan, manufactures sports banners that feature sports photographs and college football team logos. FanBan events have raised $4,321 for the YMCA scholarships that help underprivileged kids participate in YMCA programs as of February 10, 2008.^[5]

On September 9, 2008, Pollack began a new career as an afternoon sports talk host on Atlanta's 790 The Zone. Also in 2008, Pollack began studio work for CBS's college football coverage. He is also a college football analyst for ESPNU.

[edit] Personal life

He is married to Lindsey Pollack. His family resides in Georgia and Ohio. They had a baby (Nicholas) in August 2008.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official website
• David Pollack on Twitter