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 March 8, 1983), also known as "Swagu", is a former American football player. He played as a defensive end for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He spent most of his career with the Dallas Cowboys.
Marcus played college football for the LSU Tigers. He was recognized as an All-American player. The Cowboys chose him in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft. He also played 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 talented athlete in high school, playing both football and basketball. At Southern University Laboratory School, he was considered one of the best high school football players in the country.
He was named an All-American in high school football. He was also the first player in Louisiana since 1991 to be honored as a first-team all-state selection on both offense and defense. In his final high school season, 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 for losses and 11.5 quarterback sacks.
Marcus was also a top basketball player. He was named Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year for Louisiana in his senior year. He played in the first ever U.S. Army All-American Bowl game in December 2000.
College Football Career
Marcus Spears went to Louisiana State University (LSU). He played for the LSU Tigers football team from 2001 to 2004. He was first recruited to play tight end, but he soon moved to the defensive line.
As a freshman in 2001, he played tight end, fullback, and defensive end. He made two catches on offense and eight tackles on defense. He was named Freshman All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) as a tight end.
In 2002, he became a full-time defensive player. He made 46 tackles and three sacks. In 2003, LSU won the national championship. Spears had 49 tackles and six sacks that season. He was named First-team All-SEC. In the 2004 Sugar Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners, he returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown. This helped LSU win the championship game 21–14.
In his senior year in 2004, Spears had his best season. He earned first-team All-America honors. He also tied his career high with 49 tackles and set new career highs with 17 tackles for losses and nine sacks. His nine sacks ranked fourth in LSU's single-season records.
In April 2021, Marcus Spears was added to the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.
Professional Football Journey
Marcus Spears was a highly sought-after player in the 2005 NFL draft. The Dallas Cowboys picked him with the 20th overall choice. The Cowboys wanted him to be a key player as they changed their defense.
Playing for the Dallas Cowboys
Marcus faced some injuries early in his career. In his first training camp in 2005, he sprained his knee and ankle. Despite this, he became a starting defensive end during his rookie season. He earned All-Rookie honors from Pro Football Weekly. He had 35 tackles and 1.5 sacks that year. In one game, he recovered a Trent Green fumble and returned it 59 yards. This led to a touchdown for the Cowboys.
Before the 2006 season, Marcus had knee surgery. The Cowboys changed their defense to a 3-4 defense. Marcus became the starting left defensive end. He finished the season with 48 tackles and one sack. He helped limit opposing teams' rushing yards.
In 2007, he played in all 16 regular season games. He recorded 32 tackles, two forced fumbles, and a career-high two sacks. He continued to be a strong player on the defensive line.
In 2008, Marcus started 15 games. He had 35 tackles and one sack. In 2009, he started 14 games and had 50 tackles. He also achieved a career-high 2.5 sacks. He played well in the playoffs, helping the defense stop opponents' running games.
In 2010, Marcus played in only eight games due to a calf injury. He was placed on the injured reserve list. In 2011, he signed a new contract. He played in a reserve role, mostly on running downs. He recorded 29 tackles and one sack.
In 2012, he continued in a reserve role. He started six games due to other players' injuries. He finished the season with 35 tackles and one sack. The Cowboys released him in March 2013.
Time with the Baltimore Ravens
In March 2013, Marcus Spears signed a two-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens. He played in five games for the Ravens, recording 10 tackles. He was waived by the team in October 2013.
Community Work
Marcus Spears was very involved in helping the community during his time at LSU. As a rookie with the Cowboys, he joined the Rookie Club. This program helped new players get involved in community service in the Dallas area. He 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. The money helped provide 330,000 meals for people in need.
Personal Life
Marcus Spears is married to Aiysha Smith, who used to play 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 church in Texas.
TV Career
After his football career, Marcus Spears became a sports analyst on TV. In August 2014, he became a co-host of SEC Nation. This is a weekly college football show on the SEC/ESPN Network. He also regularly contributes to the Paul Finebaum Show. Fans often call him "The Big Swagu."
In 2015, Marcus started hosting a TV show called DFW Outdoorsman. This show covers hunting, fishing, and outdoor activities in North Texas.
Starting in 2017, he co-hosted Thinking Out Loud on the SEC Network with former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy.
Today, Marcus Spears appears regularly on ESPN morning shows like Get Up! and First Take. He is also a part of ESPN's main NFL show, NFL Live. He also works on Monday Night Countdown before Monday Night Football.
