Scooter Berry facts for kids

Richard "Scooter" Berry, born on June 28, 1986, is a former professional football player. He played as a defensive end, a position where players try to stop the opposing team's offense. Scooter played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers. He later joined the Houston Texans in the National Football League (NFL).

Early Life and High School Football

Scooter Berry went to North Babylon High School in New York. During his senior year, he played both linebacker and fullback. His team had a great season, winning 10 games and losing only one.

On defense, Scooter made 68 tackles and 7 sacks. A sack is when a defensive player tackles the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage. On offense, he rushed for over 1,300 yards and scored 20 touchdowns in his high school career. He was recognized as an all-Long Island player. He was also chosen as an all-county player three times and an all-state player twice.

Scooter was mostly recruited by colleges to play fullback. This was because his weight of 245 pounds was a bit small for a defensive lineman but too big for a linebacker. He received offers from colleges like Boston College and Connecticut. In the end, he decided to sign with West Virginia University.

College Football Career

Scooter Berry played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers. He showed great skill and dedication throughout his time there.

Starting Out: Freshman Year (2006-2007)

Scooter spent his first year, 2006, as a "redshirt" freshman. This means he practiced with the team but did not play in any games. This allowed him to develop his skills and get stronger. That year, he won an award for being a top scout team player on defense.

In 2007, his redshirt-freshman year, Scooter earned a starting spot on the defensive line. He played alongside teammates Keilen Dykes and Johnny Dingle. He finished the season with 27 total tackles and one sack. He also recovered three fumbles, which was the most on his team. Because of his strong performance, he was named to several Freshman All-American teams.

Sophomore and Junior Seasons (2008-2009)

In 2008, Scooter returned as a key player on the defensive line. He was one of the most experienced players on the defense. He ended the season with 34 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries. He was recognized as a second-team All-Big East selection.

His junior season in 2009 was cut short. He suffered a shoulder injury during a game in September.

Senior Year and Strong Finish (2010)

Before his senior year in 2010, Scooter had surgery on his shoulder. He worked hard to recover and came back ready to play. He made an immediate impact on the team.

Scooter finished his senior season with 35 tackles and 4 sacks. For the second time, he was named a second-team All-Big East selection. This showed his consistent performance and leadership on the field.

Professional Football Journey

After college, Scooter Berry hoped to join the NFL. He was not chosen in the 2011 NFL draft, but he still got a chance.

NFL and Arena Football League (2011-2012)

The Houston Texans signed Scooter in 2011. However, he was released from the team before the season began. He then moved to the Arena Football League (AFL). He signed with the Jacksonville Sharks.

During the 2012 AFL season, Scooter set a new rookie record. He recorded 13 sacks, which was the most by any first-year player in the league. This impressive performance showed his talent as a defensive player.

Canadian Football League and Later AFL Years (2012-2015)

After his successful AFL season, Scooter signed with the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League (CFL) in September 2012. He played for them through the 2013 season.

In 2015, Scooter returned to the Arena Football League. He was traded to the Los Angeles KISS in March 2015. Shortly after, in April 2015, he was traded back to the Jacksonville Sharks.