Bernard Pollard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Bernard Pollard

Pollard with the Tennessee Titans in 2014
No. 31, 49
Position:	Safety
Personal information
Born:	(1984-12-23) December 23, 1984 (age 40) Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	226 lb (103 kg)
Career information
High school:	South Side (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
College:	Purdue
NFL Draft:	2006 / Round: 2 / Pick: 54
Career history
Kansas City Chiefs (2006–2008) Houston Texans (2009–2010) Baltimore Ravens (2011–2012) Tennessee Titans (2013–2014)
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XLVII) PFWA All-Rookie Team (2006) Second-team All-Big Ten (2004)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 711 Sacks: 10.5 Forced fumbles: 13 Interceptions: 12 Defensive touchdowns: 3
Player stats at PFR

Bernard Karmell Pollard (born December 23, 1984) is a former American football player. He was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers. The Kansas City Chiefs picked him in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft.

Pollard also played for the Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, and Tennessee Titans. At Purdue, he was known as "the Bonecrusher" because of his strong tackles. Later, as a professional, he earned the nickname "Patriot-Killer". This was because his tackles affected four seasons for the New England Patriots, including ending quarterback Tom Brady's 2008 season.

Early Life and High School Sports

Bernard Pollard grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He went to South Side High School. There, he was a top athlete in football, basketball, and track & field. In his senior year of football, he was named the The News-Sentinel Area Player of the Year. He was also a first-team All-State player. In track, he was good at the long jump and ran in the 4 × 100 meter race.

College Football Career

Pollard played football for three years at Purdue University. As a freshman in 2003, he was recognized as a top new player. He made 66 tackles and recovered one fumble.

In 2004, he was named second-team All-Big Ten. He led his team with 96 tackles. He also forced two fumbles, made one sack, and had one interception. He was also great at blocking kicks, blocking four that year!

Pollard's last year at Purdue had some challenges with his coaches. Even so, he still made 92 tackles, 3 interceptions, and blocked another punt. His total of 5 blocked punts is a record for Purdue.

Pollard practicing with the Chiefs in 2007

Professional Football Journey

Playing for the Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs picked Bernard Pollard in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. In his first year, he mostly played on special teams. He ended the year with 10 tackles and blocked 3 punts. One of these blocked punts led to a touchdown for his team! This helped the Chiefs win a game and reach the playoffs. He was even named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.

In the 2007 NFL season, Pollard became a starter. He made his first NFL interception against the Cincinnati Bengals. He also intercepted another pass against the Detroit Lions.

On September 7, 2008, Pollard was involved in a play where New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady left the game with a knee injury. It was later found that Brady's season was over because of this hit. Pollard later said he was sorry, explaining it was an accident. This hit, and others like it, led to a new NFL rule in 2009. The rule says a defensive player on the ground cannot lunge at a quarterback's lower legs.

In 2008, Pollard was the Chiefs' top tackler with 98 tackles. The Chiefs let Pollard go on September 5, 2009.

Time with the Houston Texans

Pollard joined the Houston Texans on September 24, 2009. In his first year with Houston, he had a great season. He made 102 tackles, 4 interceptions, and scored two defensive touchdowns. The next year, he had 111 tackles and forced four fumbles.

Winning a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens

Cary Williams (29), Ed Reed (20) and Pollard (31) with the Ravens in 2012

On August 3, 2011, Pollard signed a two-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens. In 2011, he had 75 tackles, two sacks, and an interception. The Ravens gave him a longer contract in 2012.

Pollard had an even better year in the 2012 season. He made 98 tackles and two sacks. He was the team's leading tackler, even though he missed some games due to a chest injury. He returned for the playoffs and helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII. He revealed after the season that he had been playing with a rib injury for most of the year.

Pollard once shared his thoughts about player safety in the NFL. He said that while the league was working to make the game safer, players were getting so big and strong that serious injuries might still happen. He hoped that changes would continue to be made to protect players. The Ravens released Pollard on March 13, 2013.

Playing for the Tennessee Titans

Pollard tackling Steelers running back LaRod Stephens-Howling in 2013.

On March 21, 2013, Pollard signed a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans. He was fined a few times for hits during games, which shows how tough he played. In 2013, he made 99 tackles and 3 interceptions.

In 2014, Pollard signed a new two-year contract with the Titans. However, during a game, he suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury. This injury ended his 2014 season early. He was released by the Titans on March 3, 2015.

"The Patriot Killer" Nickname

In four different seasons, New England Patriots players (L to R) Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski, and Stevan Ridley all suffered injuries of varying degrees by Pollard, significantly altering the Patriots' postseason chances.

Bernard Pollard earned the nickname "The Patriot Killer" because of several plays where his tackles affected key players on the New England Patriots team. These plays often changed how the Patriots' seasons turned out.

• Tom Brady (2008): While Pollard was with the Chiefs, he tackled Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. This hit caused Brady to miss the rest of the 2008 season. Because of this, the Patriots did not make the playoffs that year.
• Wes Welker (2009): When Pollard played for the Texans, he tackled Patriots receiver Wes Welker. Welker had to cut sharply to avoid Pollard, which led to a knee injury. This meant Welker missed the playoffs that season.
• Rob Gronkowski (2011): In a championship game, Pollard, now with the Ravens, tackled Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. Gronkowski landed awkwardly, hurting his ankle. He played in the Super Bowl two weeks later, but his injury limited how well he could play.
• Stevan Ridley (2012): In another championship game, Pollard hit Patriots running back Stevan Ridley. Ridley lost control of the ball, and the Ravens recovered it. This play helped the Ravens win the game and go on to the Super Bowl, which they won. Ridley later struggled to keep his starting job in the NFL.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season Games

Playoff Games

Personal Life and Community Work

Bernard Pollard is married to Meghan, and they have a son named Jaylen and a daughter named Alonna.

He started "Pollard's Helping Hands Foundation." This group works to provide food for children in cities who are hungry. He also helped with the "Hooked on Books" campaign. This campaign encourages kids to read and was sponsored by the Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri.

See also

In Spanish: Bernard Pollard para niños