Terry Pierce
Encyclopedia
Terry Pierce is a former American football
linebacker
of the National Football League
. He was originally drafted by the Denver Broncos
in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Kansas State.
in Benbrook, Texas
.
and was redshirted. He played in all but one game in 2000, including the Cotton Bowl Classic. After racking up 38 tackles (six for a loss) and three pass break-ups, he was named the Big 12
Defensive Freshman of the Year.
In 10 starts in 2001, Pierce recorded 68 tackles and three sacks while earning Academic All-Big 12 honors. His junior season, he posted 104 tackles and five sacks. He subsequently declared for the NFL Draft with a year of college eligibility remaining.
His departure opened the door for rising star, Ted Sims, who led the Cats to a Big XII Championship in 2003.
. On July 25, he signed a four-year, $2.7 million contract that included a $1.32 million signing bonus.
During his rookie season in 2004, Pierce was inactive for the first seven games of the regular season. He made his NFL debut on October 26 against the Baltimore Ravens
, but did not record any statistics. The following week, he posted three tackles (two solo) against the New England Patriots
. On November 16, Pierce suffered a torn pectoral muscle and was subsequently placed on injured reserve
, ending his season.
In 2004, Pierce was to battle Donnie Spragan
and Jashon Sykes
for the starting strong-side linebacker job. However, Pierce suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament
in August, losing his chance at the job. He was able to recover in time for the regular season opener, but played primarily on special teams during the season and recorded just five tackles in 15 games.
Pierce was moved from inside to outside linebacker in the 2005 offseason, and worked there throughout the preseason. However, he was waived on September 3 at the conclusion of the preseason. He worked out for the Seattle Seahawks
and Dallas Cowboys
on separate occasions in October 2005, but was not signed.
On January 18, 2006 the Houston Texans
signed Pierce to a future contract. However, he was released on July 14 before training camp began.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was originally drafted by the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft
2003 NFL Draft
The 2003 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft was held April 26–27, 2003 at the Theatre at...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Kansas State.
High school
Pierce attended Western Hills High SchoolWestern Hills High School (Benbrook, Texas)
Western Hills High School is a secondary school located in Benbrook, Texas, United States, serving the city of Benbrook, portions of western Fort Worth, and unincorporated portions of southwestern Tarrant County...
in Benbrook, Texas
Benbrook, Texas
Benbrook is a city located in the southwestern corner of Tarrant County, Texas, in Texas's 12th congressional district, and a suburb of Fort Worth...
.
College career
Pierce first came to Kansas State UniversityKansas State University
Kansas State University, commonly shortened to K-State, is an institution of higher learning located in Manhattan, Kansas, in the United States...
and was redshirted. He played in all but one game in 2000, including the Cotton Bowl Classic. After racking up 38 tackles (six for a loss) and three pass break-ups, he was named the Big 12
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
Defensive Freshman of the Year.
In 10 starts in 2001, Pierce recorded 68 tackles and three sacks while earning Academic All-Big 12 honors. His junior season, he posted 104 tackles and five sacks. He subsequently declared for the NFL Draft with a year of college eligibility remaining.
His departure opened the door for rising star, Ted Sims, who led the Cats to a Big XII Championship in 2003.
Professional career
Pierce was chosen by the Denver Broncos in the second round (51st overall) in the 2003 NFL Draft2003 NFL Draft
The 2003 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft was held April 26–27, 2003 at the Theatre at...
. On July 25, he signed a four-year, $2.7 million contract that included a $1.32 million signing bonus.
During his rookie season in 2004, Pierce was inactive for the first seven games of the regular season. He made his NFL debut on October 26 against the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
, but did not record any statistics. The following week, he posted three tackles (two solo) against the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
. On November 16, Pierce suffered a torn pectoral muscle and was subsequently placed on injured reserve
Injured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
, ending his season.
In 2004, Pierce was to battle Donnie Spragan
Donnie Spragan
Donald Spragan, Jr. is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 1999. Spragan has also been a member of the Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills...
and Jashon Sykes
Jashon Sykes
Jashon Sykes is a former American football linebacker. He played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes, and was subsequently signed by the Denver Broncos. He started 11 games during his career with the Broncos. He now works as the director of football operations for CU....
for the starting strong-side linebacker job. However, Pierce suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament
Medial collateral ligament
The medial collateral ligament of the knee is one of the four major ligaments of the knee. It is on the medial side of the knee joint in humans and other primates. It is also known as the tibial collateral ligament, or abbreviated as the MCL.- Structure :It is a broad, flat, membranous band,...
in August, losing his chance at the job. He was able to recover in time for the regular season opener, but played primarily on special teams during the season and recorded just five tackles in 15 games.
Pierce was moved from inside to outside linebacker in the 2005 offseason, and worked there throughout the preseason. However, he was waived on September 3 at the conclusion of the preseason. He worked out for the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
and Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
on separate occasions in October 2005, but was not signed.
On January 18, 2006 the Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
signed Pierce to a future contract. However, he was released on July 14 before training camp began.