David Pollack
David M. Pollack (born June 19, 1982) is an American former professional football player and sports analyst, renowned for his exceptional college performance as a defensive end for the University of Georgia Bulldogs and his abbreviated NFL tenure with the Cincinnati Bengals.[1][2] At Georgia from 2001 to 2004, Pollack earned consensus first-team All-American honors in each of his final three seasons, captured the Chuck Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award, and Lott IMPACT Trophy as the nation's top defender in 2004, and received the Ted Hendricks Award twice for his pass-rushing prowess; his 36 career sacks placed him third in school history, while he set records for tackles for loss (58.5) and blocked punts (three).[3][4][5] He contributed to the Bulldogs' first Southeastern Conference championship in two decades during his junior year and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2020 as the 15th Georgia player so honored.[3][2] Selected 17th overall in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Bengals—where he transitioned to outside linebacker—Pollack notched 4.5 sacks and 22 solo tackles in his rookie season before fracturing his C-6 vertebra in a preseason collision against the Cleveland Browns on September 17, 2006, which sidelined him permanently and concluded his professional playing career after just 16 games.[1][6][7] Transitioning to broadcasting, Pollack joined ESPN in 2009 as a college football studio analyst, rising to co-host on College GameDay from 2011 until his release in 2023 amid widespread network cost-cutting; he has since expressed gratitude for the change, as it freed him to discuss faith and family more openly.[2][8][9] Today, he hosts the "See Ball. Get Ball." podcast, delivers motivational speeches emphasizing Christian principles, and operates the Pollack Family Foundation to promote faith-based community initiatives alongside his wife Lindsey and their two children.[2]Early Life and Education
Family Background and Upbringing
David Pollack was born on June 19, 1982, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, to Norm Pollack and Kelli Pollack.[10][11] Shortly after his birth, his parents relocated the family, including Pollack and his older brother Gordon (by two years), to Snellville, Georgia, where he spent the remainder of his childhood.[12][13] Raised in Snellville, a suburb of Atlanta, Pollack grew up in an environment that prioritized discipline, hard work, and academic performance, as evidenced by his later recollection that failing grades were "extremely rare" in their household under his parents' guidance.[14] Norm Pollack, noting his son's boundless energy and tendency to "get into everything" from a young age, described the challenges of managing Pollack's active nature during early childhood.[15] This family dynamic, combined with the move to Georgia's sports-oriented culture, fostered Pollack's early involvement in athletics, setting the stage for his high school achievements in football, basketball, and wrestling.[13]High School Football and Recruitment
Pollack attended Shiloh High School in Snellville, Georgia, where he excelled as a multisport athlete in football, basketball, and wrestling.[16] [17] As a defensive lineman, he earned Gwinnett County Defensive Lineman of the Year honors twice during his prep career.[16] In his senior year of 2000, Pollack was named a Class 5A all-state selection, reflecting his dominance on the defensive line for the Generals.[16] His high school achievements extended to postseason recognition, including selection to the Georgia North-South All-Star Game and participation in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, which highlighted his status among the nation's top prospects.[16] Atlanta Touchdown Club also recognized him as its Defensive Lineman of the Year, underscoring his local impact in a competitive Georgia high school football landscape.[16] Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing around 270 pounds entering college, Pollack's physical attributes and production drew attention from major programs.[18] In the recruitment process leading to the 2001 National Letter of Intent signing period, Pollack, a Georgia native, committed to the University of Georgia Bulldogs, the in-state SEC powerhouse.[18] [19] He formally signed with Georgia on February 7, 2001, prioritizing the program under head coach Mark Richt amid interest from other Division I schools.[20] Rated as a three-star recruit by scouting services, Pollack's choice aligned with Georgia's emphasis on building around high-motor defensive talent from within the state.[21]College Football Career
Transition to Defensive End at Georgia
Pollack enrolled at the University of Georgia in 2001 after being recruited primarily as a fullback from Shiloh High School in Snellville, Georgia.[22] During his freshman season, injuries on the defensive line prompted coaches to use him as an emergency defensive tackle, where he earned Freshman All-SEC honors despite limited experience in the role.[4][22] In the 2002 offseason, following the departure of seniors and Charles Grant to the NFL Draft, defensive ends coach Jon Fabris identified Pollack's size (6-foot-3, 265 pounds) and work ethic as assets for the position, advocating for his shift to defensive end despite reservations from another coach who doubted his suitability for SEC-level competition.[22] Fabris overruled the skeptic, stating, "I’ll take him," and Pollack adapted by refining his hand usage through independent training after initial struggles.[22] He started at buck end—a hybrid strong-side role—in Georgia's 2002 home opener against Clemson on September 7, recording 8 tackles and 1.5 sacks in a 31-28 victory, signaling his rapid adjustment.[22] This transition enabled Pollack to emerge as a dominant pass rusher, ultimately setting Georgia records with 36 career sacks and 58.5 tackles for loss while earning SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2002 and 2004.[22]Statistical Achievements and Records
David Pollack concluded his college career at the University of Georgia with 36 sacks, establishing the school record and ranking among the SEC's historical leaders in the category.[4] He also set Georgia's career record for tackles for loss at 58.5, while accumulating 283 total tackles and 117 quarterback hurries over four seasons from 2001 to 2004.[4] [23] In 2002, as a sophomore, Pollack recorded 14 sacks, a single-season Georgia record that also led the Southeastern Conference and contributed to his selection as SEC Player of the Year.[24] [4] He repeated as the SEC leader in sacks (12.5) and tackles for loss during his senior year in 2004.[4] Additionally, Pollack holds the Georgia record for career blocked punts with three.[4]| Category | Statistic | Context/Details |
|---|---|---|
| Career Sacks | 36 | Georgia record; 4th in SEC history |
| Career Tackles for Loss | 58.5 | Georgia record |
| Single-Season Sacks (2002) | 14 | Georgia record; led SEC |
| Single-Season Sacks (2004) | 12.5 | Led SEC |
| Career Blocked Punts | 3 | Georgia record |