Israel Raybon facts for kids

Israel Deshon Raybon, born on February 5, 1973, is a former American football player. He played as a defensive end, a position on the defense that tries to stop the other team. Israel played for two teams in the National Football League (NFL): the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Carolina Panthers.

He was chosen by the Steelers in the 1996 NFL draft after playing college football at the University of North Alabama. He also played in other leagues like the XFL and the Arena Football League (AFL).

Early Life and High School Sports

Israel Deshon Raybon was born in Huntsville, Alabama. He went to Lee High School in Huntsville. There, he was a talented athlete in both football and basketball.

He was recognized as an all-state player in football during his junior and senior years. This means he was one of the best players in the entire state. In his senior year, he was also named an All-American, which means he was considered one of the best players in the whole country!

College Football Career

Israel Raybon played college football for the North Alabama Lions from 1992 to 1995. He played for four years, starting as both a defensive end and a defensive tackle. These positions are important for stopping the opposing team's offense.

During his college career, he made 116 solo tackles and 71 assisted tackles. He also had 12.5 sacks, which is when a defensive player tackles the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage. He set a school record by blocking nine kicks!

Israel was chosen for the all-Gulf South Conference team three times. He was also named an All-American twice. In 1995, he was named the NCAA Division II defensive lineman of the year. The North Alabama Lions football team won the NCAA Division II national championship three years in a row, from 1993 to 1995, while Israel was on the team.

After his senior year, Israel played in two special games: the Blue–Gray Football Classic and the Senior Bowl. These games showcase the best college players. In 2006, he was honored by being inducted into the University of North Alabama's athletic hall of fame.

Professional Football Journey

Israel Raybon was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL draft. He was the 163rd player picked overall. He officially joined the team on July 16, 1996.

Playing for the Steelers

During the 1996 season, Israel played in three games for the Steelers. He recorded one solo tackle and one sack. His only sack with the Steelers happened during a Monday Night Football game against famous quarterback Dan Marino. He also played in one playoff game that season.

Time with the Carolina Panthers

On August 24, 1997, Israel Raybon was traded to the Carolina Panthers. He played in nine games for the Panthers that year. He made five solo tackles, one assisted tackle, and half a sack.

On November 23, 1997, he helped the Panthers win a game against the St. Louis Rams. The Panthers won 16–10. Late in the game, Israel deflected a pass from quarterback Mark Rypien, which helped secure the victory. He was released by the Panthers on December 15, 1997.

Playing in the XFL

In 2001, Israel Raybon played for the New York/New Jersey Hitmen in the XFL. He played in all ten games, starting in eight of them. As a defensive tackle for the Hitmen, he had 33 tackles, five sacks, and one interception.

Adventures in the Arena Football League

Israel signed with the Grand Rapids Rampage of the Arena Football League (AFL) on December 13, 2001. In the 2002 AFL season, he played in 13 games, starting seven. He played as both an offensive lineman and a defensive lineman. This was because the AFL used "ironman rules," where many players played both offense and defense.

He recorded seven solo tackles, five assisted tackles, three sacks, and two interceptions. He also broke up two passes. For his great performance, he earned a spot on the AFL All-Rookie team.

Israel re-signed with the Rampage in 2003. He played in six games that year, making five solo tackles, one assisted tackle, and three sacks. He signed with the Rampage again in November 2003. In his final AFL season in 2004, Israel played in 15 games. He had seven solo tackles, six assisted tackles, one sack, and three pass breakups. He also had one interception that he returned two yards for a touchdown!

Life After Football

After his football career, Israel Raybon worked for the United States Department of Homeland Security. Later, he became a car salesman.