Dan Wilkinson is a former American football defensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He was born on March 13, 1973, in Dayton, Ohio, and attended the Ohio State University, where he played college football for the Buckeyes.
Wilkinson was selected as the first overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He played for the Bengals for four seasons, from 1994 to 1997, and was considered one of the top defensive linemen in the league during that time. He was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team in 1994 and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1996.
In 1998, Wilkinson was traded to the Washington Redskins, where he played for five seasons. He continued to be a dominant force on the defensive line, earning another Pro Bowl selection in 1999. He was also named the Redskins' Defensive Player of the Year in 2000.
After his time with the Redskins, Wilkinson played for several other teams, including the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, and Denver Broncos. He retired from the NFL in 2006, having played in 192 games and recorded 54.5 sacks.
Throughout his career, Wilkinson was known for his size and strength, standing at 6'5" and weighing over 300 pounds. He was also known for his versatility, as he could play both defensive tackle and defensive end positions.
Off the field, Wilkinson was involved in several charitable organizations, including the Dan Wilkinson Foundation, which provided scholarships to underprivileged youth. He also worked as a football analyst for various media outlets after his retirement from the NFL.
Overall, Dan Wilkinson had a successful career in the NFL, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and establishing himself as one of the top defensive linemen of his era.
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