Fred Strickland is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for over a decade. He was born on October 14, 1966, in Albany, Georgia, and attended the University of Purdue, where he played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers.
Strickland was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft. He played for the Rams for four seasons, from 1988 to 1991, and was a starter for most of his time there. In 1992, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent and played for them for three seasons, from 1992 to 1994. During his time with the Cowboys, he was part of the team that won Super Bowl XXVIII in 1994.
After leaving the Cowboys, Strickland played for the New Orleans Saints for two seasons, from 1995 to 1996. He then played for the Arizona Cardinals for two seasons, from 1997 to 1998. He finished his NFL career with the Washington Redskins in 1999.
Throughout his career, Strickland was known for his toughness and his ability to make big plays. He was a hard-hitting linebacker who was equally adept at stopping the run and covering receivers in pass defense. He was also a team leader who was respected by his coaches and teammates.
In total, Strickland played in 164 NFL games, starting 146 of them. He recorded 1,071 tackles, 15.5 sacks, 11 interceptions, and 10 forced fumbles. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1997, and he was also a two-time All-Pro selection.
After retiring from football, Strickland went into coaching. He served as the linebackers coach for the University of Louisville from 2003 to 2006. He then coached at the high school level for several years before returning to college coaching as the linebackers coach for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2015.
Overall, Fred Strickland had a successful football career that spanned over a decade. He was a tough and talented linebacker who made a significant impact on every team he played for. His leadership and work ethic were also highly valued by his coaches and teammates, and he continues to be respected in the football community today.
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