Full Name: Jevon Kearse
Born: September 3, 1976
Fort Myers, FL
Height: 6-4
Weight: 265 lbs. Age: 29
Pos: DE
Experience: 7 years
College: Florida
Acquired by Eagles: UFA (Ten) 2004
Originally joined NFL: D1-99 by Tennessee (16th selection overall)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nicknamed "The Freak" for his unique combination of speed, power, and intensity, Kearse lived up to his reputation in 2004, leading the league's most productive sack attack (47) with 7.5 of his own. A three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All Pro, Kearse is one of the league's most feared pass rushers and currently leads the team with 7.0 sacks.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:
Hit the throwing arm of QB Ryan Fitzpatrick at StL (12/18) and caused an errant pass. The ball was intercepted by FS Brian Dawkins and the turnover led to an Eagles TD. It would turn out to be the winning score of the game.
Had 3.0 sacks at NYG (11/20), 2 that caused fumbles by QB Eli Manning. It was the 3rd time in his career that he registered 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in the same game. It marked the 5th time in his career that he had 3 sacks in a game. It was also the 4th two-FF game of his career.
Sacked QB Jake Plummer at Den. (10/30).
Dropped QB Drew Brees for a 9-yard loss vs. SD (10/23).
Notched his first sack of the season when he dropped QB Trent Green in the backfield for a 6-yard loss at KC (10/2). Also forced a fumble on RB Larry Johnson at the end of the 2nd quarter that led to an Eagles TD (Donovan McNabb 7-yard pass to Terrell Owens).
INJURY REPORT:
Suffered an MCL sprain in the 1st quarter at Arz. (12/24) and did not return to play in the game. Suffered an AC sprain in the first quarter at Den. (10/30) and did not return to play in the game.
Suffered an AC sprain at Den. (10/30).
LENDING A REALLY BIG HELPING HAND
Growing up in Ft. Myers, FL, wasn't always easy for Kearse. Despite what was going on around him, he had one escape, his local Boys and Girls Club. Now, many years later he makes it a point to help out those who helped him out, as they are a beneficiary of The Jevon Kearse Foundation.
"It was an outlet for me growing up," said Kearse. "It helped me get focused on education and athletics. It showed me how things should be. I want kids to have the same opportunities I had."
The Jevon Kearse Foundation exists to promote positive outreach services to at-risk youth in Southwest Florida. Located in Fort Myers, they provide many services to the surrounding community such as Drug Prevention Programs, Youth Sports Programs, and Educational Opportunities.
Annually hosts The Jevon Kearse Celebrity All-Pro Weekend to benefit the foundation. This past April, the weekend included a dinner and silent auction on Saturday evening followed by a celebrity softball game on Sunday held at City of Palms Park, the Boston Red Sox spring training stadium in Ft. Myers.
Some celebrities who joined him in 2005 included: teammates Donovan McNabb, Lito Sheppard, and Correll Buckhalter, former Titans teammates Samari Rolle and Keith Bulluck, and Deion Sanders. R&B singer, Lloyd, performed after the game.
ON THE WEB
To learn more about the foundation please log on to: JevonKearseFoundation.com
A FREAKY FRONTMAN
Jevon Kearse is easily one of the most well-known players in the NFL, and definitely one of the Top give most marketable defenders in the league. Since his rookie year of 1999, he has worked with several global companies in various national advertising campaigns including: DirecTV, Sega, Reebok, Pepsi and most recently Gillette.
"First of all, it's a privilege for any company to ask you to be their spokesman," said Kearse. "I really enjoy the people I get to work with and meet. That's icing on the cake. Getting to build relationships with all kinds of people in another industry is great. Every company I work with, I try to let them know about the work I do with my foundation. Many of them have stepped in and helped in different ways." Kearse joined teammate Terrell Owens in the 2005 offseason to shoot a commercial for Right Guard Xtreme deodorant and antiperspirant. The two joined skateboarder Bam Margera, host of MTV's "Viva La Bam" in a game of Red Rover.
"It was the most fun I've ever had shooting a commercial," said Kearse of his Right Guard spot. "They had a stunt man there for me but I told him 'chill, I got this.' So I got to do my own stunts. It was nothing crazy but it's nice to say I did them. When I met Bam and Don Vito I realized they aren't actors. They are just like they are on TV."
On a local level, Jevon has established marketing relationships with several companies, including a memorabilia deal, a weekly radio show, and numerous personal appearances. He has also been used in national campaigns by the NFL and NFL Players Association.
YOU'VE BEEN KEARSED
In Kearse's six-year career, he has victimized 36 different NFL signal-callers for a total of 55.0 regular season and 4 postseason sacks.
BIRDSEED
As Hurricane Charley trampled through South Florida in 2004, The Jevon Kearse Foundation helped distribute non-perishable food and personal hygiene items to almost 400 families in relief of the disaster that struck the Ft. Myers, FL, region
A collector of remote control cars, boats and planes, Jevon currently has about a dozen vehicles. "I started playing with them as a kid and loved it. I would break them so fast that it taught me to cherish what I had. When I got older and had money to spend, I started collecting them. I keep them all at my home in New Jersey because I need something to help me to get my mind off of work during the season."
Nicknamed "The Freak" by teammates while at the University of Florida for his combination of power, quickness and intensity, Kearse is one of the fastest and most athletic defensive ends in football. He clocked a 4.43 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in 1999, tying CB Deion Sanders for the fastest first 10 yards of the 40-yard dash in Combine history.
Prior to every game, Kearse can be found saying a prayer for his younger brother, Rocky, who died before Jevon made it to the NFL. He paid homage to his younger sibling by tattooing his name inside of a cross on his left shoulder.
After two weeks of taking out the trash, peeling shrimp, bagging zucchini, cleaning dishes and serving as a prep cook, Kearse decided to quit his high school job at Red Lobster to pursue other career endeavors which he found more entertaining.
Favorite throwback jersey: Wilt Chamberlin, Phila. Warriors. "He was a one-man wrecking crew."
Headlined a star-studded cast of athletes while shooting a series of Reebok commercials at the NovaCare complex for the 2005 season. Kearse's piece involved him pushing through blocking weights and rushing the quarterback, which actually meant he was rushing full speed ahead at the camera. Ravens LB Ray Lewis and Patriots WR Deion Branch were among other NFL players involved in the two-day shooting process.
Was named to The Sporting News' "Top 100 NFL Players" and Pro Football Weekly's "Top 50 NFL Players in the NFL Today."
QUOTES:
FS Brian Dawkins on what he thinks Kearse is capable of as a DE: "I don't even think he understands how much he can take a game over to tell you the truth. That's a scary thing, when you have a guy with that much talent that can do so many things. Running space, he can close on the ball carrier like a DB. He gets low to the ground coming around the corner. There are so many things that guy can do. He is so gifted. I'm definitely happy that we made that move to bring him in because it makes my job that much easier."
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
A three-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time first team All Pro and the 1999 NFL defensive rookie of the year, Kearse enters the 2005 season with 55.5 career sacks.
Tallied 14 multi-sack games in his career, including four of three sacks.
Set the NFL single-season rookie record for sacks with 14.5 in 1999, and became the first rookie ever to lead the AFC.
Set an NFL record with 12 consecutive games (10/31/99 - 9/10/00) with at least a half-sack.
Became just the fourth player in NFL history to record double-digit sacks in each of his first three seasons, joining Anthony Smith and future Hall of Famers Reggie White and Derrick Thomas.
Spent the first two seasons of his pro career at left defensive end before moving to the right side in 2001 following the addition of Kevin Carter.
With 26 sacks during his first two NFL seasons, ranked 3rd in league history, behind only Reggie White (31) and Derrick Thomas (KC, 30).
Became the sixth player in league history to collect double-digit sacks in his first two seasons, joining Keith Millard, Garin Veras, Burt Grossman, Derrick Thomas and Reggie White.
Led Eagles in sacks (7.5) and hurries (21) in 2004.
Posted the first blocked punt of his NFL career at NYG (11/28/04 - P Jeff Feagles), earning NFC special teams POW honors. It was the Eagles first blocked punt since 10/26/03 vs. NYJ.
Sacked Ravens QB Kyle Boller twice and forced him to fumble vs. Bal. (10/27/04).
Exploded for his first three sacks as an Eagle at Det. (9/26/04, QB Joey Harrington) tying a career high. Also forced a Harrington fumble on his second sack and had another tackle for a loss.
Registered a career-high five hurries of Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper vs. Min. (9/20/04) on his way to earning MNF "Co-Horse Trailer Player of the Game."
In his Eagles debut vs. NYG (9/12/04) posted four tackles, two hurries and recovered a fumble at the Eagles one-yard line on third down, thwarting a potential Giants scoring drive late in the third quarter.
In 2003, led the Titans in sacks (9.5) for the 4th time, while helping lead the defense to rank first in the NFL against the run.
Recorded his first career INT vs. TB (12/28/03) as he tipped a Brad Johnson pass and snagged it out of the air.
Saw action in four games in 2002. Fractured the fifth metatarsal in his left foot on the second play from scrimmage against the Eagles in the season opener (9/8) and was inactive for the next 12 games.
Named to the Pro Bowl for the third consecutive season after posting 10 sacks in 2001.
Matched career highs with three sacks of Mark Brunell and two forced fumbles vs. Jax. (11/4/01).
Started 16 games in 2000 at LDE and led the team in sacks (11.5) for the 2nd consecutive year on his way to a 2nd-straight Pro Bowl.
Tied career highs with three sacks (QB Trent Dilfer) and 2 forced fumbles vs. Bal. (11/12/00).
Set a career high with 14 tackles at Buf. (9/3/00).
In 1999, started 16 games and all 4 playoff games en route to an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIV and a start in the Pro Bowl. Was the first rookie defensive end in AFC history and the first rookie DE in the NFL since Detroit's Al "Bubba" Baker in 1978 to be named a Pro Bowl starter.
Led the AFC and set the NFL single-season rookie record for sacks with a career-high 14.5 in 1999. Also set career highs in both tackles (85) and forced fumbles (10).
Named to numerous All-Pro teams in 1999, including AP, Pro Football Weekly and Dr. Z of Sports Illustrated.
Named 1999 defensive rookie of the year by AP, Football News, Football Digest and Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers Association of America.
Earned NFL rookie of the month honors in September, November and December of 1999.
Named NFL Pass Rusher of the Year by the NFL Alumni group and finished a close second to TB's Warren Sapp in the NFL defensive POY voting in 1999.
Tallied four tackles and two passes defensed against StL in Super Bowl XXXIV (1/30/00).
Accounted for two sacks (QB Rob Johnson) and two forced fumbles in the AFC Wild Card game vs. Buf. (1/8/00). Also credited with a safety.
Forced a Mike Tomczak fumble in the regular season finale at Pit. (1/2/00) and returned it 14 yds. for his first career TD.
Recorded two sacks (QB Jeff Blake), and a career-high two forced fumbles at Cin. (11/14/99).
Dropped Tim Couch for a career-high 3 sacks vs. Cle. (9/19/99), the first of his career.
PERSONAL
Single and spends time between South Jersey and Pompano Beach, FL, in the offseason.
Racked up 96 tackles, 6 INTs, 4 blocked punts and caught 24 passes for 453 yards as a senior at North Fort Myers (FL) HS, where he was named USA Today and SuperPrep All-America, All-State 5A, District MVP, and Area defensive player of the year at strong safety. Returned four kickoffs for TDs during high school career.
Participated in "NFL Players Week on Wheel of Fortune" during the 2004 season. His earnings benefited the Boys and Girls Club.
Took up boating during the 2005 offseason. His new home in Pompano Beach is on the water and includes a dock
Provides Reebok football uniforms to youth in Miami and sponsors flag football teams in the Ft. Myers area.
Through his foundation has put together a "Back to School" program in Ft. Myers which provides book bags for children in the area.
Made his acting debut in the Disney Channel series, "The Jersey." He has been on numerous magazine covers such as Sports Illustrated and Street & Smith's. While in Nashville was a spokesman for Baptist Hospital.
Was a member of the National Honor Society.
Fishing is one of his favorite hobbies.
Is a cousin of Houston Texans CB Philip Buchanon and former Florida DE Johnnie Church.
Credits his uncles and his Pop Warner coaches for helping him to become the man he is today.
Majored in sociology.
Full name: Jevon Kearse
COLLEGE
Began his career at Florida as a safety before making the move to outside linebacker where he became an All-America selection. Collected 145 tackles, 16.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, one INT, one fumble recovery and 19 pass deflections. As a junior in 1998, was a finalist for both the Butkus Award and the Chuck Bednarik college defensive player of the year award, in addition to being named a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award. A two-time All-SEC honoree, also earned SEC All-Freshman honors for the Gators 1996 squad that claimed the National Championship with a win in the Sugar Bowl over a Florida State team that included Colts DT Corey Simon. Redshirted in 1995.
INJURY HISTORY
Sprained left ankle vs. Jax. (11/16/03) and was inactive for two contests. Missed the final two preseason contests of 2003 with a sprained right ankle. Fractured the fifth metatarsal in his left foot on the season's second play from scrimmage vs. Phi. (9/8/02) and missed the next 12 contests. In season finale at Hou. (12/29/02), was sidelined in third qtr. after irritating his left foot.
Born: September 3, 1976
Fort Myers, FL
Height: 6-4
Weight: 265 lbs. Age: 29
Pos: DE
Experience: 7 years
College: Florida
Acquired by Eagles: UFA (Ten) 2004
Originally joined NFL: D1-99 by Tennessee (16th selection overall)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nicknamed "The Freak" for his unique combination of speed, power, and intensity, Kearse lived up to his reputation in 2004, leading the league's most productive sack attack (47) with 7.5 of his own. A three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All Pro, Kearse is one of the league's most feared pass rushers and currently leads the team with 7.0 sacks.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:
Hit the throwing arm of QB Ryan Fitzpatrick at StL (12/18) and caused an errant pass. The ball was intercepted by FS Brian Dawkins and the turnover led to an Eagles TD. It would turn out to be the winning score of the game.
Had 3.0 sacks at NYG (11/20), 2 that caused fumbles by QB Eli Manning. It was the 3rd time in his career that he registered 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in the same game. It marked the 5th time in his career that he had 3 sacks in a game. It was also the 4th two-FF game of his career.
Sacked QB Jake Plummer at Den. (10/30).
Dropped QB Drew Brees for a 9-yard loss vs. SD (10/23).
Notched his first sack of the season when he dropped QB Trent Green in the backfield for a 6-yard loss at KC (10/2). Also forced a fumble on RB Larry Johnson at the end of the 2nd quarter that led to an Eagles TD (Donovan McNabb 7-yard pass to Terrell Owens).
INJURY REPORT:
Suffered an MCL sprain in the 1st quarter at Arz. (12/24) and did not return to play in the game. Suffered an AC sprain in the first quarter at Den. (10/30) and did not return to play in the game.
Suffered an AC sprain at Den. (10/30).
LENDING A REALLY BIG HELPING HAND
Growing up in Ft. Myers, FL, wasn't always easy for Kearse. Despite what was going on around him, he had one escape, his local Boys and Girls Club. Now, many years later he makes it a point to help out those who helped him out, as they are a beneficiary of The Jevon Kearse Foundation.
"It was an outlet for me growing up," said Kearse. "It helped me get focused on education and athletics. It showed me how things should be. I want kids to have the same opportunities I had."
The Jevon Kearse Foundation exists to promote positive outreach services to at-risk youth in Southwest Florida. Located in Fort Myers, they provide many services to the surrounding community such as Drug Prevention Programs, Youth Sports Programs, and Educational Opportunities.
Annually hosts The Jevon Kearse Celebrity All-Pro Weekend to benefit the foundation. This past April, the weekend included a dinner and silent auction on Saturday evening followed by a celebrity softball game on Sunday held at City of Palms Park, the Boston Red Sox spring training stadium in Ft. Myers.
Some celebrities who joined him in 2005 included: teammates Donovan McNabb, Lito Sheppard, and Correll Buckhalter, former Titans teammates Samari Rolle and Keith Bulluck, and Deion Sanders. R&B singer, Lloyd, performed after the game.
ON THE WEB
To learn more about the foundation please log on to: JevonKearseFoundation.com
A FREAKY FRONTMAN
Jevon Kearse is easily one of the most well-known players in the NFL, and definitely one of the Top give most marketable defenders in the league. Since his rookie year of 1999, he has worked with several global companies in various national advertising campaigns including: DirecTV, Sega, Reebok, Pepsi and most recently Gillette.
"First of all, it's a privilege for any company to ask you to be their spokesman," said Kearse. "I really enjoy the people I get to work with and meet. That's icing on the cake. Getting to build relationships with all kinds of people in another industry is great. Every company I work with, I try to let them know about the work I do with my foundation. Many of them have stepped in and helped in different ways." Kearse joined teammate Terrell Owens in the 2005 offseason to shoot a commercial for Right Guard Xtreme deodorant and antiperspirant. The two joined skateboarder Bam Margera, host of MTV's "Viva La Bam" in a game of Red Rover.
"It was the most fun I've ever had shooting a commercial," said Kearse of his Right Guard spot. "They had a stunt man there for me but I told him 'chill, I got this.' So I got to do my own stunts. It was nothing crazy but it's nice to say I did them. When I met Bam and Don Vito I realized they aren't actors. They are just like they are on TV."
On a local level, Jevon has established marketing relationships with several companies, including a memorabilia deal, a weekly radio show, and numerous personal appearances. He has also been used in national campaigns by the NFL and NFL Players Association.
YOU'VE BEEN KEARSED
In Kearse's six-year career, he has victimized 36 different NFL signal-callers for a total of 55.0 regular season and 4 postseason sacks.
BIRDSEED
As Hurricane Charley trampled through South Florida in 2004, The Jevon Kearse Foundation helped distribute non-perishable food and personal hygiene items to almost 400 families in relief of the disaster that struck the Ft. Myers, FL, region
A collector of remote control cars, boats and planes, Jevon currently has about a dozen vehicles. "I started playing with them as a kid and loved it. I would break them so fast that it taught me to cherish what I had. When I got older and had money to spend, I started collecting them. I keep them all at my home in New Jersey because I need something to help me to get my mind off of work during the season."
Nicknamed "The Freak" by teammates while at the University of Florida for his combination of power, quickness and intensity, Kearse is one of the fastest and most athletic defensive ends in football. He clocked a 4.43 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in 1999, tying CB Deion Sanders for the fastest first 10 yards of the 40-yard dash in Combine history.
Prior to every game, Kearse can be found saying a prayer for his younger brother, Rocky, who died before Jevon made it to the NFL. He paid homage to his younger sibling by tattooing his name inside of a cross on his left shoulder.
After two weeks of taking out the trash, peeling shrimp, bagging zucchini, cleaning dishes and serving as a prep cook, Kearse decided to quit his high school job at Red Lobster to pursue other career endeavors which he found more entertaining.
Favorite throwback jersey: Wilt Chamberlin, Phila. Warriors. "He was a one-man wrecking crew."
Headlined a star-studded cast of athletes while shooting a series of Reebok commercials at the NovaCare complex for the 2005 season. Kearse's piece involved him pushing through blocking weights and rushing the quarterback, which actually meant he was rushing full speed ahead at the camera. Ravens LB Ray Lewis and Patriots WR Deion Branch were among other NFL players involved in the two-day shooting process.
Was named to The Sporting News' "Top 100 NFL Players" and Pro Football Weekly's "Top 50 NFL Players in the NFL Today."
QUOTES:
FS Brian Dawkins on what he thinks Kearse is capable of as a DE: "I don't even think he understands how much he can take a game over to tell you the truth. That's a scary thing, when you have a guy with that much talent that can do so many things. Running space, he can close on the ball carrier like a DB. He gets low to the ground coming around the corner. There are so many things that guy can do. He is so gifted. I'm definitely happy that we made that move to bring him in because it makes my job that much easier."
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
A three-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time first team All Pro and the 1999 NFL defensive rookie of the year, Kearse enters the 2005 season with 55.5 career sacks.
Tallied 14 multi-sack games in his career, including four of three sacks.
Set the NFL single-season rookie record for sacks with 14.5 in 1999, and became the first rookie ever to lead the AFC.
Set an NFL record with 12 consecutive games (10/31/99 - 9/10/00) with at least a half-sack.
Became just the fourth player in NFL history to record double-digit sacks in each of his first three seasons, joining Anthony Smith and future Hall of Famers Reggie White and Derrick Thomas.
Spent the first two seasons of his pro career at left defensive end before moving to the right side in 2001 following the addition of Kevin Carter.
With 26 sacks during his first two NFL seasons, ranked 3rd in league history, behind only Reggie White (31) and Derrick Thomas (KC, 30).
Became the sixth player in league history to collect double-digit sacks in his first two seasons, joining Keith Millard, Garin Veras, Burt Grossman, Derrick Thomas and Reggie White.
Led Eagles in sacks (7.5) and hurries (21) in 2004.
Posted the first blocked punt of his NFL career at NYG (11/28/04 - P Jeff Feagles), earning NFC special teams POW honors. It was the Eagles first blocked punt since 10/26/03 vs. NYJ.
Sacked Ravens QB Kyle Boller twice and forced him to fumble vs. Bal. (10/27/04).
Exploded for his first three sacks as an Eagle at Det. (9/26/04, QB Joey Harrington) tying a career high. Also forced a Harrington fumble on his second sack and had another tackle for a loss.
Registered a career-high five hurries of Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper vs. Min. (9/20/04) on his way to earning MNF "Co-Horse Trailer Player of the Game."
In his Eagles debut vs. NYG (9/12/04) posted four tackles, two hurries and recovered a fumble at the Eagles one-yard line on third down, thwarting a potential Giants scoring drive late in the third quarter.
In 2003, led the Titans in sacks (9.5) for the 4th time, while helping lead the defense to rank first in the NFL against the run.
Recorded his first career INT vs. TB (12/28/03) as he tipped a Brad Johnson pass and snagged it out of the air.
Saw action in four games in 2002. Fractured the fifth metatarsal in his left foot on the second play from scrimmage against the Eagles in the season opener (9/8) and was inactive for the next 12 games.
Named to the Pro Bowl for the third consecutive season after posting 10 sacks in 2001.
Matched career highs with three sacks of Mark Brunell and two forced fumbles vs. Jax. (11/4/01).
Started 16 games in 2000 at LDE and led the team in sacks (11.5) for the 2nd consecutive year on his way to a 2nd-straight Pro Bowl.
Tied career highs with three sacks (QB Trent Dilfer) and 2 forced fumbles vs. Bal. (11/12/00).
Set a career high with 14 tackles at Buf. (9/3/00).
In 1999, started 16 games and all 4 playoff games en route to an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIV and a start in the Pro Bowl. Was the first rookie defensive end in AFC history and the first rookie DE in the NFL since Detroit's Al "Bubba" Baker in 1978 to be named a Pro Bowl starter.
Led the AFC and set the NFL single-season rookie record for sacks with a career-high 14.5 in 1999. Also set career highs in both tackles (85) and forced fumbles (10).
Named to numerous All-Pro teams in 1999, including AP, Pro Football Weekly and Dr. Z of Sports Illustrated.
Named 1999 defensive rookie of the year by AP, Football News, Football Digest and Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers Association of America.
Earned NFL rookie of the month honors in September, November and December of 1999.
Named NFL Pass Rusher of the Year by the NFL Alumni group and finished a close second to TB's Warren Sapp in the NFL defensive POY voting in 1999.
Tallied four tackles and two passes defensed against StL in Super Bowl XXXIV (1/30/00).
Accounted for two sacks (QB Rob Johnson) and two forced fumbles in the AFC Wild Card game vs. Buf. (1/8/00). Also credited with a safety.
Forced a Mike Tomczak fumble in the regular season finale at Pit. (1/2/00) and returned it 14 yds. for his first career TD.
Recorded two sacks (QB Jeff Blake), and a career-high two forced fumbles at Cin. (11/14/99).
Dropped Tim Couch for a career-high 3 sacks vs. Cle. (9/19/99), the first of his career.
PERSONAL
Single and spends time between South Jersey and Pompano Beach, FL, in the offseason.
Racked up 96 tackles, 6 INTs, 4 blocked punts and caught 24 passes for 453 yards as a senior at North Fort Myers (FL) HS, where he was named USA Today and SuperPrep All-America, All-State 5A, District MVP, and Area defensive player of the year at strong safety. Returned four kickoffs for TDs during high school career.
Participated in "NFL Players Week on Wheel of Fortune" during the 2004 season. His earnings benefited the Boys and Girls Club.
Took up boating during the 2005 offseason. His new home in Pompano Beach is on the water and includes a dock
Provides Reebok football uniforms to youth in Miami and sponsors flag football teams in the Ft. Myers area.
Through his foundation has put together a "Back to School" program in Ft. Myers which provides book bags for children in the area.
Made his acting debut in the Disney Channel series, "The Jersey." He has been on numerous magazine covers such as Sports Illustrated and Street & Smith's. While in Nashville was a spokesman for Baptist Hospital.
Was a member of the National Honor Society.
Fishing is one of his favorite hobbies.
Is a cousin of Houston Texans CB Philip Buchanon and former Florida DE Johnnie Church.
Credits his uncles and his Pop Warner coaches for helping him to become the man he is today.
Majored in sociology.
Full name: Jevon Kearse
COLLEGE
Began his career at Florida as a safety before making the move to outside linebacker where he became an All-America selection. Collected 145 tackles, 16.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, one INT, one fumble recovery and 19 pass deflections. As a junior in 1998, was a finalist for both the Butkus Award and the Chuck Bednarik college defensive player of the year award, in addition to being named a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award. A two-time All-SEC honoree, also earned SEC All-Freshman honors for the Gators 1996 squad that claimed the National Championship with a win in the Sugar Bowl over a Florida State team that included Colts DT Corey Simon. Redshirted in 1995.
INJURY HISTORY
Sprained left ankle vs. Jax. (11/16/03) and was inactive for two contests. Missed the final two preseason contests of 2003 with a sprained right ankle. Fractured the fifth metatarsal in his left foot on the season's second play from scrimmage vs. Phi. (9/8/02) and missed the next 12 contests. In season finale at Hou. (12/29/02), was sidelined in third qtr. after irritating his left foot.
