Nathan Michael Davis (born February 6, 1974) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Indiana Hoosiers.
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| Position: | Defensive tackle | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | February 6, 1974 Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. | ||||
| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 312 lb (142 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | Richmond (IN) | ||||
| College: | Indiana | ||||
| NFL draft: | 1997 / round: 2 / pick: 32 | ||||
| Career history | |||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Early years
editDavis attended Richmond High School, where he was a two-way player at defensive end and tight end. As a senior, he posted 108 tackles, 18 sacks, 13 receptions for 220 yards and 2 touchdowns. He received second-team all-state, All-conference and defensive player of the year honors.
He won the state shot put championship as a junior and a national indoor shot put title as a senior.
College career
editDavis accepted a football scholarship from Indiana University, where he was a defensive end. As a junior, he recorded 60 tackles, 6 sacks and 20 tackles for loss (second in school history and 13th in the nation).
As a senior, he was limited throughout the season with a pelvic injury. He tallied 34 tackles and 4 sacks. He finished his career with 133 tackles, 37 tackles for loss (third in school history) and 13 sacks.
As a junior, he captured outdoor and indoor shot put titles. He also recorded a toss of 19.12 metres (62 feet 8.75 inches) at the 1996 Big Ten championships, earning a berth at the 1996 U.S. Olympic trials, where he finished tenth.
Professional career
editAtlanta Falcons
editDavis was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round (32nd overall) of the 1997 NFL draft.[1] He was declared inactive in the first 12 games of the season. He played against the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks, recording one quarterback pressure. He was then declared inactive for the last 3 games.
On July 24, 1998, it was reported in the media that Davis quit the team for personal reasons.[2] He was waived on July 29.
Dallas Cowboys
editOn October 5, 1998, he was signed as a free agent by the Dallas Cowboys to provide depth on the defensive line. He was declared inactive during all of the regular season and the NFC Wild Card Playoff game.
In 1999, he appeared in 4 games and had 4 tackles. On November 9, he was released to make room for Leon Lett who was being activated from a suspension.
Denver Broncos
editOn February 22, 2000, he signed as a free agent with the Denver Broncos. He was released on August 22.[3]
Chicago Enforcers (XFL)
editIn 2001, he signed with the Chicago Enforcers of the XFL. He was released on March 22.[4]
Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL)
editIn July 2001, he signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.[5] He had 40 tackles, 3 sacks and one interception.[5]
In 2006, he collected 20 tackles and 4 sacks in 17 games. He was cut on February 1, 2007.[6]
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL)
editOn March 19, 2007, he signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.[7] He was released after playing in one game on July 15.[8]
Personal life
editHis cousin is Barry Larkin, who is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Davis was nicknamed Big Nate,[5] and was known for his dreadlocks.[9]
References
edit- ^ "1997 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. July 25, 1998. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. August 23, 2000. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ "Transactions". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Big Nate Back In The Fold!". Saskatchewan Roughriders. March 11, 2004.
- ^ "Roughriders release Greene, Davis". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. February 2, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ "Nate Davis signs on with Blue Bombers". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. March 20, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ "Blue Bombers release Nate Davis". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. July 16, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ Penton, Kirk (July 4, 2007). "Count the dread heads". Slam! Sports.