Keith Traylor facts for kids

Byron Keith Traylor (born September 3, 1969) is a former American football player. He played as a nose tackle for 17 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Keith was first chosen by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1991 NFL draft. He played college football at Central Oklahoma. Traylor won three Super Bowl championships during his career. He won two with the Denver Broncos and one with the New England Patriots.

Early Life and High School Sports

Keith Traylor was born on September 3, 1969. He grew up in a family that loved sports. His mother was a great high school basketball player. His two younger brothers also played college football and basketball.

Keith was a top athlete at Malvern High School in Malvern, Arkansas. He was named an all-state and all-conference linebacker twice. He was also excellent at basketball and baseball, earning honors in both sports. In 1985, he made 231 tackles in one season, which is one of the highest numbers in state history.

College Football Journey

After high school, Keith Traylor was considered one of the best players in the country. He first planned to play for the Oklahoma Sooners. Coaches thought he was a very strong and exciting player.

However, Keith later moved to Southeastern Oklahoma State University. He then found his place at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Before Central Oklahoma, Keith played two seasons at Coffeyville Community College. He was named an All-American player there. In those two seasons, he made 229 tackles, 14 sacks, and 9 interceptions. At Central Oklahoma, he continued to play well, making 146 tackles and 5 sacks. He was chosen as a first-team All-Lone Star Conference player in his senior year.

Playing in the NFL

Keith Traylor was expected to be a top player in the 1991 NFL draft. The Denver Broncos picked him in the third round.

Starting with the Denver Broncos

In his first year with the Broncos in 1991, Keith played in all 16 games. He started two games and made 27 tackles. His first start was against the Seattle Seahawks, where he made nine tackles. He was named to the All-Rookie Team by Pro Football Weekly.

In 1992, he played in 16 games again, starting three. He made 39 tackles and got his first professional sack against the Seahawks.

Moving to Other Teams

After leaving the Broncos, Keith signed with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1993. He then played five games for the Green Bay Packers.

In 1994, he joined the Kansas City Chiefs. He spent some time playing in the World League of American Football (now NFL Europa) for the Barcelona Dragons. This league helped players get more experience. During this time, he started to get bigger to play on the defensive line.

He returned to the Chiefs in 1995 and played in all 16 games. He made 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks. In 1996, he played in 15 games for the Chiefs, making 42 tackles.

Back to the Broncos and Super Bowl Wins

In 1997, Keith Traylor returned to the Denver Broncos. This time, he played as a defensive tackle. He started all 16 games and had 51 tackles and two sacks. He also made his first career interception against the Buffalo Bills, running it back 62 yards for a touchdown!

Keith helped the Broncos win Super Bowl XXXII in 1998. He played in all four playoff games that season. The next year, in 1999, he helped the Broncos win Super Bowl XXXIII. He was a key part of a defense that was very good at stopping other teams from running the ball. In 2000, his last season with the Broncos, he had a career-high 53 tackles.

Time with the Chicago Bears

In 2001, Keith joined the Chicago Bears. He started 15 games and made 45 tackles and two sacks. He was part of a defense that was one of the best in the NFL at stopping the run. He had his second career interception in the last game of the season, running it back 67 yards.

He continued to play for the Bears in 2002 and 2003, making many tackles and helping the defense.

Winning Another Super Bowl with the Patriots

In 2004, Keith Traylor joined the New England Patriots. He started 10 games as a nose tackle. He helped the Patriots have a strong run defense. He played in the playoffs and helped the Patriots win Super Bowl XXXIX. This was his third Super Bowl championship!

Final Years with the Miami Dolphins

Keith joined the Miami Dolphins in 2005. He played in 13 games, making 40 tackles and two sacks. He continued to be a strong player on the defensive line.

In 2006, he had a career-high four sacks. He played 14 games that year. He signed a new deal with the Dolphins in 2007. He played 15 games before leaving the team. He was released by the Dolphins in 2008.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Personal Life

Keith Traylor has one son named Brandon. He lives in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. His brothers, Eric and Mark, also played college sports.