Jerry Drake (American football) explained

Jerry Drake
Position:Defensive end/Defensive tackle
Number:76
Birth Date:9 July 1969
Birth Place:Kingston, New York
College:Ulster County CC
Hastings College
Pastteams:
Statlabel1:Tackles
Statvalue1:55
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statvalue2:1
Statlabel3:Interceptions
Statvalue3:1
Highlights:
  • WLAF sacks leader (1996)

Jerry Drake (born July 9, 1969) is a former professional American football defensive lineman who spent six seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He played college football at Hastings College.

College career

A native of Kingston, New York, Drake played one year of college football at Ulster County Community College before the program was disbanded.[1] He transferred to Hastings College, a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division II program, because he had some friends who attended the school.[1] As a junior, Drake recorded 48 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 11 sacks, two fumble recoveries, one blocked kick, and seven pass breakups.[2] As a senior, he recorded 32 solo tackles, two sacks, three interceptions, and three pass breakups.[3] He was twice selected as a NAIA All-American.[1] Drake also played in the semi-professional Empire Football League.[4]

Professional career

Drake signed with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in April 1995.[5] He was waived in August and re-signed to the team's practice squad.[6] [7] Drake was promoted to the active roster in late November.[8] He made his NFL debut on December 9 in a nationally televised game against the San Diego Chargers, recording a memorably "jarring" tackle of Andre Coleman on a kick return.[1] [9] [10] Drake played in two games as a rookie.[1]

Drake was allocated to the London Monarchs of the World League of American Football (WLAF) in February 1996.[11] He finished the 1996 WLAF season with a league-leading eight sacks.[12] [13] Drake re-joined the Cardinals for the 1996 season and recorded 14 tackles, mostly on special teams, in 11 games played.[13] [14]

In June 1997, Drake signed a three-year, $1.025 million extension with the Cardinals.[15] However, after losing strength in the left side of his body, he was diagnosed with spinal cord compression and underwent a season-ending surgery on August 26, 1997.[14] [16] Drake was cleared for activity in April 1998.[16] He earned the starting spot at defensive left end ahead of the 1998 season opener against the Dallas Cowboys, following an injury to Brad Ottis and a contract holdout by first-round draft pick Andre Wadsworth.[17] [18] However, Drake developed a herniated disc in his back during the game and was forced to undergo surgery again, once again ending his season.[19]

After his release from prison in July 1999, Drake joined the Cardinals' training camp.[20] In the 1999 season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, he sacked Doug Pederson and recovered a fumble.[21] However, Drake cracked a bone in his right thumb.[22] In week three against the San Francisco 49ers, he intercepted a tipped pass from Steve Young.[23] Drake started all 16 games and recorded 98 tackles.[24] He signed a one-year extension in May 2000.[25] Drake suffered a sprained right knee in a preseason loss to the Minnesota Vikings and was subsequently placed on the injured reserve list.[26] [27] He was released in early November after reaching an injury settlement.[28]

Personal life

Drake got married shortly after the conclusion of the 1996 season.[29] He was arrested twice in late 1997 and was charged with an aggravated Driving under the influence (DUI) felony in each instance.[30] After pleading no contest to both charges, Drake was sentenced to concurrent prison terms of four and six months.[31] [32] His second child, a son, was born during his time in prison, and he was released in July 1999.[20]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: A lot at steak for Cards' Drake. The Arizona Republic. Steve. Schoenfeld. June 23, 1996. August 16, 2023. C5. Newspapers.com.
  2. News: Hastings' Drake Plans To Punish NIAC QBs. Omaha World-Herald. Tom. Kisicki. August 28, 1994. August 14, 2023. 43R. Newspapers.com.
  3. News: Midland Lutheran Dominates All-NAIA Selections. Omaha World-Herald. Elizabeth. Merrill. December 7, 1994. August 14, 2023. 33. Newspapers.com.
  4. News: EFL Stars to Face Top Camp Players. The Scranton Times. March 17, 1997. August 16, 2023. 21. Newspapers.com.
  5. News: 3 veteran starters to miss minicamp because of injuries. The Arizona Republic. Steve. Schoenfeld. April 28, 1995. August 15, 2023. C2. Newspapers.com.
  6. News: Cecil released by Browns 1 day before workouts against Cards (II). Arizona Daily Star. Jack. Magruder. August 22, 1995. August 15, 2023. 4D. Newspapers.com.
  7. News: Cards' salary cap a snug fit. The Arizona Republic. August 31, 1995. August 15, 2023. D6. Newspapers.com.
  8. News: Besides promotion, Case likely to play against Falcons. The Arizona Republic. Bob. McManaman. November 23, 1995. August 15, 2023. C12. Newspapers.com.
  9. News: Ryan's deck of Cards needs reshuffling of ailing defense. The Arizona Republic. December 10, 1995. August 15, 2023. C11. Newspapers.com.
  10. News: Chargers come back on Cardinals. News & Record. December 10, 1995. August 15, 2023. C8. Newspapers.com.
  11. News: Two Ex-Huskers on WLAF rosters. Lincoln Journal Star. February 20, 1996. August 15, 2023. 4C. Newspapers.com.
  12. News: Monarchs dodge poorhouse. The Independent. Nick. Halling. June 17, 1996. August 16, 2023. S14. Newspapers.com.
  13. News: World League, anyone? Team has its candidates. The Arizona Republic. Steve. Schoenfeld. December 21, 1996. August 16, 2023. C12. Newspapers.com.
  14. News: Cardinals lose 2 defensive linemen. The Arizona Republic. Shawn. Cox. August 7, 1997. August 16, 2023. D3. Newspapers.com.
  15. News: All defensive linemen in fold after Drake signs 3-year deal. The Arizona Republic. Steve. Schoenfeld. June 12, 1997. August 16, 2023. D2. Newspapers.com.
  16. News: Drake's battle to start 1 of many challenges (II). The Arizona Republic. Mark. Zuckerman. August 5, 1998. August 16, 2023. C3. Newspapers.com.
  17. News: For now, Cards' Drake is the end of the story. The Arizona Republic. Lee. Shappell. August 27, 1998. August 16, 2023. C10. Newspapers.com.
  18. News: Drake eager to show he can get job done. The Arizona Republic. Lee. Shappell. September 4, 1998. August 16, 2023. C15. Newspapers.com.
  19. News: Clement plans to return this season. The Arizona Republic. Steve. Schoenfeld. September 30, 1998. August 16, 2023. C2. Newspapers.com.
  20. News: Lineman's 2nd chance to toe line (I). The Arizona Republic. Kent. Somers. July 24, 1999. August 16, 2023. C1. Newspapers.com.
  21. News: Just call Rice the end-all. The Arizona Republic. Lee. Shappell. September 13, 1999. August 16, 2023. C9. Newspapers.com.
  22. News: Question for Cardinals: Is there life after Eagles?. The Arizona Republic. Tim. Tyers. September 14, 1999. August 16, 2023. C7. Newspapers.com.
  23. News: Familiar story haunts Arizona (II). Tucson Citizen. Chris. Walsh. September 28, 1999. August 16, 2023. 2D. Newspapers.com.
  24. News: Unsigned lineman will attend minicamp. The Arizona Republic. Steve. Schoenfeld. April 26, 2000. August 16, 2023. C3. Newspapers.com.
  25. News: Transactions. The Arizona Republic. May 25, 2000. August 16, 2023. C14. Newspapers.com.
  26. News: Turf ticks off Cardinals. Arizona Daily Sun. August 20, 2000. August 16, 2023. B2. Newspapers.com.
  27. News: Cards cut Devlin for cap room. The Arizona Republic. Lee. Shappell. August 28, 2000. August 16, 2023. C1. Newspapers.com.
  28. News: Vote's in: Williams ties mark (II). The Arizona Republic. Tim. Tyers. November 7, 2000. August 16, 2023. C5. Newspapers.com.
  29. News: Bush makes Pointe: No broccoli. The Arizona Republic. Michael. Clancy. Dolores. Tropiano. February 26, 1997. August 16, 2023. B6. Newspapers.com.
  30. News: Drake faces felony DUI charges. The Arizona Republic. Robbie. Sherwood. September 11, 1998. August 16, 2023. C1. Newspapers.com.
  31. News: Trestman began his career as a coach with the Vikings. Arizona Daily Star. Javier. Morales. January 7, 1999. August 16, 2023. D7. Newspapers.com.
  32. News: Lineman's 2nd chance to toe line (II). The Arizona Republic. Kent. Somers. July 24, 1999. August 16, 2023. C9. Newspapers.com.

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