DeMeco Ryans is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons. He was born on July 28, 1984, in Bessemer, Alabama, and attended Jess Lanier High School in Bessemer, where he played football as a linebacker and tight end.
Ryans went on to play college football at the University of Alabama, where he was a standout linebacker for the Crimson Tide. He was a two-time All-American and won the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker in 2006.
In the 2006 NFL Draft, Ryans was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round, 33rd overall. He quickly became a key player for the Texans, starting all 16 games in his rookie season and leading the team in tackles. He was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and was also selected to the Pro Bowl.
Ryans continued to be a dominant force for the Texans over the next several seasons, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2007 and 2009. He was also named a second-team All-Pro in 2007 and 2008.
In 2012, Ryans was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played for four seasons. He was named a team captain in his first season with the Eagles and was a key player on their defense. In 2014, he was named the Eagles' Walter Payton Man of the Year for his community service work.
Ryans finished his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played for two seasons before retiring in 2016. Over the course of his career, he recorded 735 tackles, 13.5 sacks, and seven interceptions.
Off the field, Ryans has been involved in a number of charitable endeavors. He founded the DeMeco Ryans Foundation in 2007, which provides educational and recreational opportunities for underprivileged children in Alabama and Texas. He has also been involved in the NFL's Play 60 program, which encourages children to be active for at least 60 minutes a day.
Overall, DeMeco Ryans had a successful career in the NFL, earning numerous accolades and establishing himself as one of the league's top linebackers. He has also made a significant impact off the field through his charitable work.
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