Barry Gardner facts for kids
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born: | December 13, 1976 Harvey, Illinois, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 245 lb (111 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Thornton (Harvey) | ||||||||||
| College: | Northwestern | ||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1999 / Round: 2 / Pick: 35 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||
Barry Allan Gardner (born December 13, 1976) is a former American football player. He played as a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). Barry Gardner was chosen in the second round of the 1999 NFL draft.
He played for eight years in the NFL. His teams included the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, and New England Patriots. Gardner was especially known for being a strong player on special teams. Before joining the NFL, he went to Thornton Township High School. He then played college football for the Northwestern Wildcats.
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Who is Barry Gardner?
Barry Allan Gardner is a retired professional football player. He was born on December 13, 1976. He played in the NFL for many years. His main job on the field was as a linebacker.
What is a Linebacker?
A linebacker is a key defensive player in football. They stand behind the defensive line. Linebackers need to be strong and fast. They help stop runs and also cover receivers. Barry Gardner played this important role.
Barry Gardner's Early Life and College
Barry Gardner grew up in Harvey, Illinois. He went to Thornton Township High School. This is where he first showed his football skills.
Playing for the Northwestern Wildcats
After high school, Barry went to Northwestern University. He played college football for the Northwestern Wildcats. He was a very good player in college. He was even named to the First-team All-Big Ten twice. This happened in 1997 and 1998.
Barry Gardner's NFL Career
Barry Gardner was drafted into the NFL in 1999. The Philadelphia Eagles picked him in the second round. This was a big achievement for him.
Playing for Different Teams
Over his eight-year career, Barry played for four different NFL teams:
- Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2002)
- Cleveland Browns (2003–2004)
- New York Jets (2005)
- New England Patriots (2006)
He was a valuable player for each team.
Barry Gardner's Role on Special Teams
Barry Gardner was known for his work on special teams. Special teams are groups of players used for kickoffs, punts, and field goals. These plays are very important in a game. Being a strong special teams player means you are reliable. Barry was a solid and dependable player in this role.
Barry Gardner's Football Stats
During his career, Barry Gardner made many plays. Here are some of his stats:
- He had 277 total tackles. A tackle is when a player stops an opponent.
- He recorded 2.0 sacks. A sack is when a defensive player tackles the quarterback.
- He forced 5 fumbles. A forced fumble is when a player knocks the ball out of an opponent's hands.
- He recovered 3 fumbles. This means he picked up the ball after an opponent dropped it.
- He also had 1 interception. An interception is when a defensive player catches a pass meant for an opponent.
These numbers show he was an active player. He helped his teams on defense and special teams.
