Jerry Ball

Jerry Ball
Jerry Ball
Position(s)
Defensive Tackle
Jersey #(s)
93, 96
Born December 15, 1964 (1964-12-15) (age 46)
Beaumont, Texas
Career information
Year(s) 19871999
NFL Draft 1987 / Round: 3 / Pick: 63
College SMU
Professional teams
Career stats
Sacks 32.5
Games 191
Interceptions 1
Stats at NFL.com
Career highlights and awards

Jerry Ball (born December 15, 1964 in Beaumont, Texas) is a former professional American football defensive lineman in the NFL who played primarily as a nose tackle. During his career he went to three Pro Bowls. In the NFL for 13 seasons, Ball recorded 32.5 sacks during his career, most of them coming as a nose tackle with the Detroit Lions. Despite this fact, he was known mostly as a run stuffer later in his career, anchoring the Minnesota Viking defense alongside John Randle, also a Pro Bowl defensive tackle.

Ball had one career touchdown scored - on September 15, 1996 a pass from Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell was tipped and caught by Ball; the burly nose tackle rumbled 66 yards for the touchdown.

He graduated from West Brook High School in Beaumont, TX, where he played FB and LB for 1982 5A State Champions.

He played at and graduated from Southern Methodist University. Was a four year letter-winner and ranks 4th on the all time sack list at SMU.

Member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

He has three daughters; Faren, Lindsey, and Haley, and a wife named Michelle.