41 Facts About Trace Armstrong

Raymond Lester "Trace" Armstrong III was born on October 5,1965 and is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League for fifteen seasons from the late 1980s to the early 2000s.

Trace Armstrong played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils and Florida Gators, and was recognized as an All-American.

Trace Armstrong was formerly the president of the National Football League Players Association, and he currently works as a sports agent.

Trace Armstrong attended John Carroll Catholic High School in Birmingham, Alabama, where he played high school football and lettered three years as an outside linebacker and defensive end for the John Carroll Cavaliers.

Trace Armstrong accepted an athletic scholarship to attend Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, where he began his college career as a defensive tackle for the Arizona State Sun Devils football team.

Trace Armstrong red-shirted in 1984, and as a freshman in 1985 he played in ten games with three starts, totaling thirty-two tackles.

Trace Armstrong recovered a key fumble in the Sun Devils' defeat of the USC Trojans that sealed the Devils' Rose Bowl bid.

Trace Armstrong finished the 1986 season with twenty-six tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Trace Armstrong ended the 1987 season with fifty-one tackles.

Trace Armstrong was an honorable mention All-American by both the AP and UPI.

Trace Armstrong was denied a final year of eligibility by the NCAA due to an "academic mix-up," which he could only recoup if he transferred to another school.

Trace Armstrong was recognized as a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection and a first-team All-American at defensive tackle.

Trace Armstrong set a new Gators single-season record for most tackles for a loss with nineteen, including seven sacks.

Trace Armstrong underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair his left knee two weeks before the bowl game and could not play.

Trace Armstrong ended his college career with 169 tackles, including thirty-two tackles for losses and fifteen quarterback sacks.

Trace Armstrong graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts in 1989, and returned to earn a master's degree in business administration in 2006.

Trace Armstrong was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a "Gator Great" in 2000.

Trace Armstrong played for the Bears for six seasons from 1989 to 1994.

Trace Armstrong signed with the Bears on August 18,1989; his total package was a reported $2.2 million over four years.

Trace Armstrong finished his rookie season with five sacks and was voted All-Rookie.

Trace Armstrong was NFC Defensive Player of the Month in September 1990, in which he totaled twenty-five tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one pass defended.

Trace Armstrong was slated to play that spot again in 1992 the development of Alonzo Spellman allowed Armstrong to play end in all situations.

On March 16,1993, Trace Armstrong re-signed a three-year $3 million deal with the Bears which was reported to make him one of the five highest-paid players on the team.

In 1993, Trace Armstrong notched 11.5 sacks and forced three fumbles.

Trace Armstrong was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for three tackles, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and two sacks in a Thanksgiving Day win over Detroit.

Trace Armstrong had six tackles and two sacks at Philadelphia on October 10,1993, and then career-best 2.5 sacks at Kansas City on November 21,1993.

Trace Armstrong was acquired to fill a role as a designated pass rusher, a player who comes into the game in likely passing downs in an effort to give the team's pass rush a boost.

On October 12,1995, Trace Armstrong signed a five-year $8.9 million contract extension with the Dolphins.

In 1996, Trace Armstrong started nine games and recorded twelve sacks.

Trace Armstrong remained the starter in 1997 and returned to the "designated rusher" role in 1998.

Trace Armstrong registered five tackles, three sacks and one quarterback hurry on the day.

Trace Armstrong led the AFC in quarterback sacks in 2000 with the Miami Dolphins while recording 7 forced fumbles, a career-high.

Trace Armstrong made the Pro Bowl for the only time in his career.

Trace Armstrong did this despite not starting a single game, making him the first so-called designated pass rusher to go to the Pro Bowl since Fred Dean was voted to the 1983 post-season all-star game.

Trace Armstrong signed a free-agent contract with the Raiders in 2001.

Trace Armstrong sustained an Achilles tendon injury on September 30,2001, causing him to miss the final thirteen games of the 2001 season.

In 2002 and 2003, Trace Armstrong was pressed into a starting role due to injuries of the so-called "run down defense" of the Raiders.

Trace Armstrong started eight games at right defensive end in 2002 after Tony Bryant was hurt, and he started seven games at left defensive end when Lorenzo Bromell was injured in 2003.

In 2009, Trace Armstrong stood for election to become the full-time executive director of the NFLPA, a position left vacant by the death of Gene Upshaw.

Trace Armstrong formerly served as the agent for Penn State Nittany Lions coach James Franklin, former NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer, former Michigan Wolverines head coach Brady Hoke, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, former Tennessee head coach Butch Jones, former Kansas Jayhawks head coach Les Miles, former Texas Longhorns head coach Tom Herman, and Houston Cougars head coach Dana Holgorsen, among others.

Trace Armstrong is the agent for several broadcasters such as Peter Gammons, Chris Mortensen, Dan Le Batard, and Stugotz.