Trace Armstrong is a former American football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons. He was born on September 5, 1965, in Birmingham, Michigan, and attended the University of Florida, where he played college football for the Florida Gators.
Armstrong was selected by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 1989 NFL Draft, and he played for the Bears for three seasons before being traded to the Miami Dolphins in 1994. He spent six seasons with the Dolphins, where he became one of the team's most productive pass rushers and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2000.
In 2001, Armstrong signed with the Oakland Raiders as a free agent, and he played two seasons with the team before retiring after the 2003 season. Over the course of his career, Armstrong recorded 106.5 sacks, which ranks him 29th on the NFL's all-time list.
Off the field, Armstrong was known for his leadership and involvement in the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). He served as the president of the NFLPA from 1996 to 2001, and he was instrumental in negotiating the collective bargaining agreement that was signed in 1998.
After retiring from football, Armstrong became a sports agent and founded the agency, Trace Armstrong Sports. He has represented several high-profile NFL players, including Matt Ryan, Ndamukong Suh, and Andrew Luck.
Armstrong's football career was marked by his tenacity and work ethic, as well as his ability to consistently get to the quarterback. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1990s. His contributions to the NFLPA also helped to shape the league's labor relations and ensure that players received fair treatment and compensation.
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