Ryan Pickett facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ryan Pickett

Pickett with the Green Bay Packers in 2011
No. 79, 94
Position:	Nose tackle
Personal information
Born:	(1979-10-08) October 8, 1979 (age 45) Zephyrhills, Florida, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	340 lb (154 kg)
Career information
High school:	Zephyrhills
College:	Ohio State (1998–2000)
NFL Draft:	2001 / Round: 1 / Pick: 29
Career history
St. Louis Rams (2001–2005) Green Bay Packers (2006–2013) Houston Texans (2014)
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XLV) St. Louis Rams 10th Anniversary Team
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 583 Sacks: 9.5 Forced fumbles: 1 Fumble recoveries: 2 Pass deflections: 33
Player stats at PFR

Ryan Lamonte Pickett Sr. (born October 8, 1979) is a former American football player. He played as a nose tackle for 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Ryan played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

He was chosen by the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 2001 NFL draft. Ryan also played for the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans. With the Packers, he helped them win Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Early Life and Sports

Ryan Pickett grew up in Zephyrhills, Florida. In high school, he was known as one of the top 25 football players in the country. He was also named an All-State player. During his senior year, he made 119 tackles and had seven sacks.

Ryan was also a talented athlete in other sports. He played for the Zephyrhills basketball team, averaging 10 points and 10 rebounds per game. He also played first base on the school's baseball team until his senior year.

College Football Career

Ryan Pickett played college football at Ohio State University from 1998 to 2000. He was a starter for three years. He played in every game during his first year. He became a starter for the last nine games as a right defensive tackle.

As a sophomore, Ryan started every game at right defensive tackle. He was recognized as an honorable mention for the All-Big Ten team. He had 48 tackles and three sacks that year. In his junior season, he switched to left defensive tackle. He made 39 tackles and caused two fumbles. After his junior year, Ryan decided to leave college early to join the NFL draft.

Professional Football Journey

Playing for the St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams picked Ryan Pickett as the 29th player in the first round of the 2001 NFL draft. He signed a five-year contract with the team.

In his first year with the Rams, Ryan was a backup player on defense. He also played on special teams. He played in 11 games and made 19 tackles. He helped the Rams reach Super Bowl XXXVI, where they lost to the New England Patriots. In 2002, Ryan became a starter. He played 14 games at left defensive tackle. He finished the season with 67 tackles, which was the second-highest on his team.

From 2003 to 2004, Ryan continued to play well as a defensive tackle and nose tackle. He was an important part of the Rams' defense. In 2005, he had his best season yet. He started all 16 games and made a career-high 65 tackles. This was the most tackles for any defensive lineman in the NFL that season. After the 2005 season, Ryan became a free agent.

Joining the Green Bay Packers

Ryan Pickett (right) with B. J. Raji and A. J. Hawk.

On March 17, 2006, the Green Bay Packers signed Ryan Pickett to a four-year contract. In his first season with the Packers, Ryan started all 16 games. He made 92 tackles and recovered one fumble. He also defended seven passes, which was a career best.

In 2007, Ryan played in 14 games and made 39 tackles. He also got his first sack as a Packer. In 2008, he had 48 tackles and started all 16 games. In 2009, Ryan took on the main role of nose tackle in the Packers' new defense style. He started 13 games and made 33 tackles.

In 2010, the Packers signed Ryan to a new contract. With B. J. Raji also playing, Ryan sometimes moved to defensive end. During the 2010 season, Ryan played 14 games. He made 32 tackles and recovered one fumble.

Ryan was one of the longest-serving players on the Packers' defense. He started and made two tackles in Super Bowl XLV. He played a key role in one of the game's biggest moments. In the fourth quarter, the Pittsburgh Steelers were trying to score. Ryan Pickett tackled Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall. This allowed Clay Matthews to force a fumble. Another Packers player, Desmond Bishop, recovered the ball. The Packers then scored to extend their lead. The Packers won the Super Bowl 31–25. This was Green Bay's first championship in 14 years.

In the 2011 season, Ryan continued to play defensive end. He started 14 games and made 33 tackles. The Packers had a great season with 15 wins and 1 loss. However, they lost in the playoffs to the New York Giants.

In 2012, Ryan started all 16 games. He made 51 tackles. The Packers won their division again. But they lost in the playoffs to the San Francisco 49ers.

In 2013, Ryan returned to playing nose tackle due to other players' injuries. He played all 16 games and made 19 tackles. The Packers won their division once more. They lost in the Wild Card round of the playoffs to the 49ers.

Time with the Houston Texans

On September 24, 2014, the Houston Texans signed Ryan Pickett. This happened because another player, Louis Nix III, was injured. Ryan started 13 games for the Texans. He made 20 tackles and defended 3 passes.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season Stats

Playoff Stats

Life Outside Football

Ryan Pickett is a Christian.

In 2012, he started The Ryan Pickett Foundation. This foundation helps children in foster care. It provides emotional and financial support to kids in the foster care system. The money raised goes to two organizations: The American Foundation of Counseling Services of Green Bay and Casa de Amparo in San Diego.

Through his foundation, Ryan hosted his first Celebrity Golf Classic in 2013. It took place at the Barona Creek Golf Course in Lakeside, California. Famous guests like Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews, Marshall Faulk, and Sterling Sharpe attended.