21 Facts About Trai Essex

Trai Jamar Essex was born on December 5,1982 and is an American former professional football player who was an offensive guard for eight seasons in the National Football League with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts.

Trai Essex played in the first ever US Army All-American Bowl on December 30,2000.

Trai Essex attended Northwestern University, where he majored in African-American studies and was a letterman in football.

Trai Essex started every game as a true freshman at tight end, catching three passes for 24 yards and a touchdown.

Trai Essex was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team by The Sporting News magazine.

Trai Essex was moved from tight end to offensive tackle prior to his sophomore season and started 37 consecutive games at left tackle for the Wildcats in his final three seasons.

Trai Essex was named to ESPN's All-Bowl team following his performance in the 2003 Motor City Bowl.

Trai Essex was selected in the third round of the 2005 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Trai Essex signed a $1.385 million three-year contract which included a $460,000 signing bonus.

Trai Essex did not make a start in the next two seasons, though he did suit up for 18 games.

Trai Essex's fifth career start came when he again subbed for Smith at left tackle in a playoff game on January 5,2008, which was a narrow loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Trai Essex showed promise in 2008 with strong performances in place of starting right guard Darnell Stapleton against the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings.

Trai Essex started at right guard for the entire 2009 season.

Trai Essex picked up where he left off in 2010 as the starting right guard.

Trai Essex eventually returned as the starter at right guard, but was replaced by Ramon Foster after getting three more starts.

Trai Essex was an unrestricted free agent following the 2010 NFL season.

Trai Essex was unable to sign a new contract due to the 2011 NFL lockout which canceled normal off-season team activities.

Trai Essex played a good portion of the team's third game at right tackle when the starter, rookie Marcus Gilbert, was injured.

Trai Essex started the team's next game at left tackle in place of Jonathan Scott, who had been injured in week three.

Trai Essex spent some time over the next few weeks at left guard because of yet more injuries.

When backup center Doug Legursky was injured early in the team's week 16 game against the St Louis Rams Trai Essex was forced to play center for the first time in his career.