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Jeremiah Trotter

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Jeremiah Trotter
refer to caption
Trotter in 2023
No. 54, 50
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1977-01-20) January 20, 1977 (age 47)
Hooks, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:262 lb (119 kg)
Career information
High school:Hooks
College:Stephen F. Austin (1995–1997)
NFL draft:1998 / round: 3 / pick: 72
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:908
Sacks:12.5
Forced fumbles:8
Fumble recoveries:3
Interceptions:9
Defensive touchdowns:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Jeremiah Trotter (born January 20, 1977) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons. He played college football for the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 1998 NFL draft.

Trotter is one of just four linebackers in Eagles history to earn four or more Pro Bowl invitations, joining Chuck Bednarik, Maxie Baughan, and Bill Bergey in that select group. Trotter has also been a member of the Washington Redskins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Early life

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Trotter attended Hooks High School in Hooks, Texas and was a letterman in football. In football, he was a three-time all district honoree and was named the District MVP as a senior.

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0 1⁄2 in
(1.84 m) 		261 lb
(118 kg) 		34 3⁄8 in
(0.87 m) 		10 1⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		 4.68 s 1.66 s 2.72 s 4.14 s 7.62 s 34.0 in
(0.86 m)		 9 ft 9 in
(2.97 m)		 32 reps

Philadelphia Eagles (first stint)

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Trotter was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 1998 NFL draft.[1] In his first year with the Eagles as a backup, he recorded only six tackles. In his second season, newly hired Head Coach Andy Reid named Trotter the starting middle linebacker. Over the next three seasons, he led the team in tackles. In four seasons with the Eagles, he had accumulated 361 tackles, nine sacks, five interceptions and four forced fumbles. He also made two straight Pro Bowls in the 2000 and 2001 seasons.

Trotter and the Eagles defense ranked second in the NFL in 2001, earning them their first NFC East championship since 1988. The Eagles would go to the NFC Championship that year for the first time since 1980, but lost to the St. Louis Rams. Following the loss, Trotter became a free agent. He was designated with the franchise tag by the Eagles, but after failing to agree on a contract, became a free agent.

Washington Redskins

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Trotter signed a seven-year, $36 million contract with the Washington Redskins on April 19, 2002.[2] On June 1, 2004, after just two seasons into his contract, Trotter was released.[3] In his two seasons with the Redskins, Trotter recorded over 200 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Philadelphia Eagles (second stint)

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Trotter tackling LaDainian Tomlinson at the 2006 Pro Bowl.

Trotter returned to the Eagles for the 2004 season, signing a one-year contract worth the veteran minimum.[4]

Prior to re-signing Trotter, the Eagles run defense was among the worst in the NFL. Trotter became the starter midway through the 2004 season, and immediately improved the defense. That year, the Eagles advanced to their first Super Bowl since 1980, marking Trotter's first appearance in the championship game, though they would lose by a narrow margin to the defending champion New England Patriots, 24–21. At the end of the season, Trotter re-signed with the Eagles to a five-year contract worth $15 million, opting to return despite a larger contract offer from Kansas City.[5]

During the 2005 season opener, about 40 minutes before kickoff between the Eagles and Atlanta Falcons, Trotter and Falcons' cornerback Kevin Mathis got into a fight during pregame warmups. After officials reviewed video to see who instigated the fight, both Trotter and Mathis were ejected before kickoff. Terry Bradshaw said about the incident, "No one's been thrown out of a house that fast since my last divorce". The fight led to an NFL rules change where non-kickers cannot enter a neutral zone between the 45-yard-lines prior to the game.

Trotter was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2005, being the only Eagle to be voted outright by the fans that season (Brian Dawkins was named to the Pro Bowl as an alternate). He was once again named to the Pro Bowl in 2006. On August 21, 2007, the Philadelphia Eagles released the veteran linebacker from the remainder of his second contract. The position of middle linebacker was filled by two-year veteran Omar Gaither.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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On September 3, 2007, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Trotter to a one-year deal.[6]

Philadelphia Eagles (third stint)

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After Stewart Bradley tore his ACL during training camp, the Eagles needed an experienced middle linebacker to take his place for the season. Trotter worked out on September 25, 2009, with the Eagles and signed a one-year contract.[7] The following offseason, after allowing Brian Dawkins to leave via free agency, the Eagles cut ties with most of their NFC Championship squad, by trading Donovan McNabb, releasing Brian Westbrook, and not re-signing Trotter.

NFL statistics

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Regular season

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Year Team GP Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
Comb Solo Ast Sack FF FR Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD
1998 PHI 8 3 3 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
1999 PHI 16 120 88 32 2.5 2 1 2 30 15.0 30 0 7
2000 PHI 16 120 100 20 3.0 0 0 1 27 27.0 27 1 4
2001 PHI 16 115 93 22 3.5 2 1 2 64 32.0 50 1 10
2002 WSH 12 91 59 32 0.0 0 0 1 2 2.0 2 0 4
2003 WSH 16 113 90 23 1.5 1 1 1 21 21.0 21 0 11
2004 PHI 16 69 60 9 1.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1
2005 PHI 15 119 101 18 1.0 2 0 1 2 2.0 2 0 9
2006 PHI 16 113 88 25 0.0 1 0 1 17 17.0 17 0 4
2007 TB 3 13 9 4 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2009 PHI 13 32 29 3 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
Career[8] 147 908 720 188 12.5 8 3 9 163 18.1 50 2 50

Postseason

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Year Team GP Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
Comb Solo Ast Sack FF FR Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD
2000 PHI 2 17 13 4 1.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2001 PHI 3 23 21 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1
2004 PHI 3 19 17 2 0.5 0 0 1 35 35.0 35 0 2
2006 PHI 2 13 12 1 0.0 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2009 PHI 1 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
Career 11 73 64 9 1.5 1 0 1 35 35.0 35 0 4

Business ventures

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Trotter has been involved in various business ventures in addition to his football career. In 2000, he opened a salon called T&I Unisex Salon, located in Willingboro, New Jersey. In 2003, Trotter opened a car wash business called Trott's Spot Car Wash, located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and he also owns two car washes in neighboring Voorhees. The car wash in Cherry Hill, New Jersey has since closed down.

Personal life

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Trotter in 2013

Trotter was married to Tammi Trotter (née Johnson),[9] who died on February 28, 2023.[10] The couple had three children.[11] Trotter is a Christian.[12] While playing with the Eagles, Trotter was a resident of Hainesport, New Jersey.[13]

Trotter's two sons, Jeremiah Jr. and Josiah, each played linebacker in high school at St. Joseph's Preparatory School in Philadelphia. Jeremiah Jr. played college football for the Clemson Tigers, and was drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft. Josiah currently plays college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Trotter was captain of the Philadelphia Benjamins dodgeball team on the 3rd season of GSN's Extreme Dodgeball.

Trotter made his acting debut in 2013 in the independent film The North Star.[14]

Trotter was inducted into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame on November 28, 2016.[15]

Trotter is the uncle of former St. Louis Rams running back Terrance Ganaway.[16]

References

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  1. ^ "1998 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  2. ^ Reports: Trotter, Redskins near deal
  3. ^ "Redskins Are Expected To Release Trotter". Washington Post. June 1, 2004.
  4. ^ "Trotter takes a run at Philly Part II". Morning Call. July 15, 2004.
  5. ^ Trotter opts to stay in Philly | CJOnline.com
  6. ^ Pasquarelli, Len (September 3, 2007). "Trotter reaches one-year deal to join Buccaneers". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  7. ^ "Eagles sign LB Trotter, release QB Garcia". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 29, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  8. ^ "Jeremiah Trotter Stats". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  9. ^ "tamtmyrealtor". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021.
  10. ^ "Tammi LaTrelle Johnson Trotter". Marshall News Messenger. March 10, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  11. ^ Santoliquito, Joseph (August 24, 2018). "St. Joe's Prep linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is more than just a chip off the Axe Man's block".
  12. ^ Romano, Jason (September 30, 2019). "NEW PODCAST: Jeremiah Trotter, Former NFL Linebacker". Sports Spectrum.
  13. ^ Gross, Dan. "Trotter's Jersey block is 'Steelers Country'; It could be coincidence, but it seems like a neighbor is trying to stick it to Jeremiah Trotter. This sign is posted across the street from the longtime Eagles linebacker's Hainesport, NJ mansion. Trotter's now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 24, 2008. Accessed February 5, 2023.
  14. ^ "Jeremiah Trotter Makes Acting Debut". Archived from the original on May 6, 2013.
  15. ^ "Eagles Hall of Fame Calls Trotter, Reese".
  16. ^ "Rapid Reaction: RB Ganaway in sixth round". April 28, 2012.
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