Jerry Drake (American football)

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.

Jerry Drake
No. 76
Position:Defensive end/Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1969-07-09) July 9, 1969
Kingston, New York
Career information
College:Ulster County CC
Hastings College
Career history
Career highlights and awards
  • WLAF sacks leader (1996)
Career NFL statistics
Tackles:55
Sacks:1
Interceptions:1
Player stats at NFL.com

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]

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


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