Derrick Ballard

Derrick Ballard

No. --     CFL Free Agent
Derrick Ballard with the Amsterdam Admirals.
Date of birth:	December 8, 1981 (1981-12-08) (age 29)
Place of birth:	Madison, Georgia
Career information
CFL status:	Import
Position(s):	LB
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	235 lb (107 kg)
College:	Memphis
NFL Draft:	2004 / Undrafted
Organizations
As player:
2004–2005 2005–2006 2005–2007 2009	Chicago Bears* Atlanta Falcons* Amsterdam Admirals Toronto Argonauts* *Offseason and/or practice roster member only
Playing stats at CFL.ca
Playing stats at NFL.com

Derrick Ballard (born December 8, 1981, in Madison, Georgia) is a Canadian football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at Memphis.

Ballard has also been a member of the Atlanta Falcons, Amsterdam Admirals and Toronto Argonauts.

Early years

Born in Madison, GA. Named to the Georgia Sportswriter's All-State team following senior season at Morgan County High School in Madison, GA Played both running back and defensive back. Received All-Area, All-Region and All-State accolades in soccer and basketball.

College career

Four-year letterman at Memphis who played his first three years at linebacker before switching to safety for his senior season. Closed out career with 314 tackles (227 solos), 31 tackles for a loss and 7 sacks. Added 5 interceptions and recovered 3 fumbles while starting 39 of 45 games. Named to the All-Conference USA third-team after senior season in which he ranked fifth on the team with 91 tackles. Recipient of the Highland Hundred co-Defensive Player-of-the-Year Award.

Professional career

Chicago Bears

Originally signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2004. Waived by the Bears on August 27. Signed to the Bears practice squad on December 16.

Waived by the Bears on September 2, 2005.

First stint Amsterdam Admirals

Allocated by the Bears to NFL Europe and drafted by the Amsterdam Admirals in round 6. Started all 10 regular season games for the Admirals recording 26 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, 3 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles and 8 special teams stops. Helped Amsterdam to victory over Berlin in World Bowl XIII.

Atlanta Falcons

On December 15, 2005, he was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad. Re-signed by the Falcons on January 2, 2006. Allocated by the Falcons to NFL Europe on January 11, Assigned by NFL Europe to the Amsterdam Admirals on January 27.

Second stint with the Amsterdam Admirals

Started all 10 regular season games and World Bowl XIV which was lost to Frankfurt. Set NFL Europe record with 95-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Berlin in week 1. Released by the Falcons on August 15, 2006. Re-signed by the Amsterdam Admirals in November through the Player Continuity Program.

Toronto Argonauts

On February 11, 2009, Ballard was signed by the Toronto Argonauts.^[1] He was released on June 19, 2009.

References

1. ^ Argonauts Sign Three On Defence; Release Stokes

External links

• Toronto Argonauts bio
• Amsterdam Admirals bio

Persondata
Name	Ballard, Derrick
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	December 8, 1981
Place of birth	Madison, Georgia
Date of death
Place of death