Brentson Buckner is a former American football defensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons. He was born on June 28, 1971, in Columbus, Georgia, and attended Clemson University, where he played college football for the Clemson Tigers.
Buckner was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft. He played for the Steelers for four seasons, from 1994 to 1997, and was a key member of their defensive line. In 1997, he recorded a career-high 7.5 sacks and helped the Steelers reach the AFC Championship Game.
After his stint with the Steelers, Buckner signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as a free agent in 1998. He played for the Bengals for three seasons, from 1998 to 2000, and was a consistent performer on their defensive line. In 2000, he recorded 5.5 sacks and helped the Bengals reach the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
Buckner then signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent in 2001. He played for the 49ers for two seasons, from 2001 to 2002, and was a valuable member of their defensive line. In 2002, he recorded 6.5 sacks and helped the 49ers reach the playoffs.
In 2003, Buckner signed with the Carolina Panthers as a free agent. He played for the Panthers for five seasons, from 2003 to 2007, and was a key member of their defensive line. In 2003, he recorded 5.5 sacks and helped the Panthers reach the Super Bowl, where they lost to the New England Patriots. In 2005, he recorded a career-high 8.5 sacks and was named to the Pro Bowl.
Buckner finished his NFL career with the Oakland Raiders, where he played for one season in 2006. He retired after the 2006 season and began a career as a coach. He has since worked as a defensive line coach for several NFL teams, including the Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Oakland Raiders.
Throughout his NFL career, Buckner was known for his toughness, work ethic, and leadership. He was a consistent performer on the defensive line and was respected by his teammates and coaches. He finished his career with 31.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, and 1 interception.
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