| Arron Sears | |
| Number: | 78 |
| Position: | Guard |
| Birth Date: | 25 October 1984 |
| Birth Place: | Russellville, Alabama, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 3 |
| Weight Lbs: | 319 |
| High School: | Russellville |
| College: | Tennessee |
| Draftyear: | 2007 |
| Draftround: | 2 |
| Draftpick: | 35 |
| Pastteams: | |
| Highlights: |
|
| Statlabel1: | Games played |
| Statvalue1: | 31 |
| Statlabel2: | Games started |
| Statvalue2: | 31 |
| Statlabel3: | Fumble recoveries |
| Statvalue3: | 1 |
| Pfr: | SearAr20 |
Arron Eugene Sears (born October 25, 1984) is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft.[1]
Sears attended Russellville High School in Russellville, Alabama.[2] [3] He was considered a top high school prospect and was invited to participate in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Sears was also named the 5A lineman of the year in Alabama by High School Sports Magazine.
Sears was a starter at the University of Tennessee after taking over at the end of his freshman year against Mississippi State. He started at several positions on the offensive line but mostly at tackle. During his career, Sears received All-America and All-SEC honors. He was a team captain on the 2006 Tennessee Volunteers football team.[4] He has an older brother (Kevin Sears) who played linebacker for Auburn University, and they faced each other twice in the 2004 season.
Sears was named the Buccaneers' starter at left guard from Week 1 and did not disappoint, garnering a 2007 NFL All-Rookie award for his efforts.[5]
Arron Sears started all 31 of his career games in his two seasons in the NFL.[6]
On June 2, 2009, it was reported that Sears had a neurological condition sustained from a concussion. The extent of the injury was unknown, but early reports said it was possibly severe enough to be career-threatening.[7] He would ultimately leave the team and not return.[8]
Sears was waived by the Buccaneers on April 26, 2010.[9]
By age 27, Sears felt a "total loss of function" and was said to have swings of anger that could be a risk to others.[10] He was held for a mental health evaluation after being found wandering on the highway in 2010.[11] Sears sued the NFL and the Buccaneers in 2012 because of the head trauma he experienced in his career leaving him unable to care for himself.[12]