Marcus Spears (defensive end) facts for kids
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Spears in 2018
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| Position: | Defensive end | ||||||||
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| Born: | March 8, 1983 Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 315 lb (143 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Southern University Laboratory School (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) |
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| College: | LSU (2001–2004) | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2005 / Round: 1 / Pick: 20 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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Marcus Rayshon Spears, born on March 8, 1983, is a former American football player. People often call him "Swagu." He played as a defensive end for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL), mostly for the Dallas Cowboys. Before turning pro, he was an amazing college player for the LSU Tigers, earning top honors. The Cowboys picked him in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft. He also played a short time for the Baltimore Ravens.
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Early Life and High School Sports
Marcus Spears was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was a fantastic athlete in high school at Southern University Laboratory School. He was so good that colleges wanted him for both football and basketball.
In football, experts said he was the best tight end in the whole country. He was also one of the top three players overall. He earned high school All-America honors. After his senior year, he was named first-team all-state for both offense and defense. This was a big deal because he was the first player in Louisiana to do that since 1991.
He caught 28 passes for 435 yards and scored three touchdowns. He also ran for 245 yards and six touchdowns. On defense, he made 22 tackles that stopped plays, got 11.5 quarterback sacks, and recovered four fumbles.
Marcus was also one of the best high school basketball players in the nation. He was named the Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year for Louisiana in his senior year. He even played in the very first U.S. Army All-American Bowl football game in 2000.
College Football Career at LSU
Marcus Spears went to Louisiana State University (LSU). He played for the LSU Tigers football team from 2001 to 2004, under coach Nick Saban.
LSU first recruited him as a tight end, but they soon moved him to the defensive line. In his first year (2001), he played tight end, fullback, and defensive end. He caught two passes and made eight tackles on defense. He was even named freshman All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) as a tight end.
In 2002, he became a full-time defensive player. He made 46 tackles and had three sacks.
The 2003 season was special because LSU won the national championship. Marcus was a key player, making 49 tackles and six sacks. In the Sugar Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners, he made an amazing play. He caught an interception and ran it back 20 yards for a touchdown! This helped the Tigers win 21–14.
In his senior year (2004), Marcus had his best season. He was named a first-team All-American by several groups, which means he was one of the best college football players in the country. He also earned first-team All-SEC honors again. He made 49 tackles, 17 tackles for losses, and nine sacks. His nine sacks were the fourth-highest in LSU's history for a single season.
In April 2021, Marcus Spears was honored by being added to the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.
Professional Football Career
The Dallas Cowboys picked Marcus Spears as the 20th overall player in the 2005 NFL draft. The Cowboys' coach, Bill Parcells, really wanted him because he planned to change the team's defense.
Dallas Cowboys (2005–2012)
Marcus faced some injuries early in his career, missing parts of his first two training camps. But he quickly became an important player.
In his rookie year (2005), he started as a backup but soon became a starting defensive end. He earned All-Rookie honors for his strong play. He made 35 tackles and helped the team's defense. One memorable play was when he recovered a Trent Green fumble and ran it back 59 yards, which led to a Cowboys touchdown.
In 2006, the Cowboys changed their defense, and Marcus became the starting left defensive end. He continued to be a solid player, making 48 tackles and one sack. He played in all 16 regular season games and the team's playoff game.
From 2007 to 2009, Marcus remained a key part of the Cowboys' defense. He played in almost every game, making tackles, sacks, and forcing fumbles. In 2009, he had a career-high 2.5 sacks and helped the Cowboys win a playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
In 2010, Marcus suffered a calf injury that ended his season early. He played in only eight games that year. In 2011 and 2012, he took on more of a reserve role, meaning he didn't start every game but still played when needed, especially against running plays. The Cowboys released him in March 2013.
Baltimore Ravens (2013)
After leaving the Cowboys, Marcus Spears signed a two-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens in March 2013. He played in five games for the Ravens as a reserve defensive end, making 10 tackles. He was waived by the team in October 2013.
Charitable Work
Marcus Spears has always been involved in helping his community. When he was at LSU, he participated in many community service projects. As a rookie with the Cowboys, he joined the Rookie Club, which taught new players about community service in the Dallas area. They worked with groups like The Salvation Army and Meals on Wheels.
He also helped co-chair an event called "Taste of the NFL: The Ultimate Dallas Cowboys Tailgate Party." This event raised money for The North Texas Food Bank, providing thousands of meals to people who needed them.
Personal Life
Marcus Spears is married to Aiysha Smith, who used to be a professional basketball player in the WNBA. They have three children: Macaria Reagan Spears (born 2007), Marcus Rayshon Spears Jr. (born 2009), and Miko Reign Spears (born 2013).
Marcus is a Christian and attends TD Jakes' church in Texas.
TV Career After Football
After his football career, Marcus Spears became a successful sports analyst and television personality.
In August 2014, he became a co-host for SEC Nation, a popular show on the SEC/ESPN Network. This show previews college football games and gives insights into the SEC. He is also a regular guest on the Paul Finebaum Show, where he is known as "The Big Swagu."
In 2015, Marcus started hosting his own TV show called DFW Outdoorsman. This show is all about hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities in North Texas.
Starting in 2017, he began co-hosting Thinking Out Loud on the SEC Network with former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy.
Today, Marcus Spears appears regularly on major ESPN morning shows like Get Up! and First Take. He is also a key analyst on ESPN's main NFL studio show, NFL Live, and works on Monday Night Countdown before Monday Night Football games.
