La'Roi Glover
Encyclopedia
La'Roi Damon Glover; born July 4, 1974) is a former American football
defensive tackle in the National Football League
who ended his career with the St. Louis Rams
. Glover retired from the NFL on June 22, 2009. He played 13 seasons with the Raiders, Saints, Cowboys, and Rams, and was a 6-Time Pro Bowl selection.
, he received letters in both wrestling and track.
Under coach Bennie Edens
, he was part of the 1990 Pointers team that included Dan White
and J. J. Stokes
. During the 1990 season, Glover totaled 77 tackles, 17.5 sacks, six fumble
recoveries and six forced fumble
s, earning the honor of San Diego Co-Player of the Year.
In 1992 as a senior defensive lineman, he was named San Diego section co-Player of the Year, USA Today second-team All-America
and CIF Player of the Year, Cal-Hi Sports first-team, the Los Angeles Times Lineman of the Year.
He is the third player from Point Loma High School
to have his jersey (No. 76) retired along with Marcel Brown (No. 22) and Eric Allen
(No. 25).
and remain close to home.
While attending SDSU
, Glover was a four-year starter in football. As a senior he had 4.5 sacks and 36 tackles, was a defensive captain, won Aztec Outstanding Defensive Lineman honors, an All-Western Athletic Conference
second team selection, and was chosen to play for the West squad in the East-West shrine game. As a sophomore, he was a second team All-Western Athletic Conference
selection. As a freshman, he won All-Western Athletic Conference
honorable mention honors. He graduated with double major in public administration and sociology.
Glover was overlooked at SDSU
, never winning All-America
n status and gaining first-team All-WAC
only once in 1994. He still ranks third in SDSU
history in career tackles for loss with 44.5 and fourth in career sacks with 18.5.
In 2010 he was inducted into the Aztec Hall of Fame.
, where he was drafted
by the Oakland Raiders
.
After playing in just two games with the Raiders during his rookie year, he released a few days before the end of the season.
The Atlanta Falcons
had a chance to acquire Glover in a trade a few days earlier, but declined the Raiders' request for a conditional low-round draft pick.
and was allocated to NFL Europe
's Barcelona Dragons
in 1997
, where he helped them win the World Bowl V
, while earning all-league honors, ranking third in the league with 6.5 sacks and adding 36 tackles.
He returned to the United States and the NFL for the start of the 1997 season
, and although he started just 2 of the 15 games he played in, Glover recorded 6.5 sacks.
Those experiences allowed him to developed into a top notch interior lineman, Glover then had 10 sacks and an interception in 1998
and 8.5 sacks in 1999
.
He was a solid starter during his three seasons with Mike Ditka
, but his career blossomed when Jim Haslett
was hired as the Saints coach in 2000
and decided to move him to the three-technique tackle within a great front four group. That season he led the NFL with 17 sacks (a rare feat and second most ever by a defensive tackle), made his first All-Pro
team and was voted the New Orleans Saints
defensive MVP.
In 2001
, after recording eight sacks, earning a second Pro Bowl
selection and having played five seasons with the Saints, the team thought he was declining, so they refused to pick up a $5.5 million option bonus, making him a free agent.
the Dallas Cowboys
had endured back-to-back seasons of 5-11 when Glover signed with the team. His decision to play for the Cowboys instead of the better teams that courted him was thought to be a coup, and it was a key step in getting the Cowboys' talent base back to where it could be competitive.
During his time with the Cowboys, Glover solidified his place as one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL. He provided a veteran locker room presence helping anchor a young defensive line and was an integral part of the Cowboys' transformation from a 5-11 team into one that returned to the playoffs.
His last season with the team in 2005
he was splitting playing time with Jason Ferguson
and was pushed to a backup role in early December. He was released at the end of the season, because of his diminished role, he was not seen as well-suited for the 3-4 defense the team was planning to install and also had a high salary cap number.
He played in all 64 games during his four seasons with the Cowboys, racked up 21.5 sacks and forced five fumbles in that period. He was named to the Pro Bowl
all four seasons, three of those as a starter.
Glover signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Rams
, reunitng him with Jim Haslett
.
He played the final 3 seasons of his career with the Rams and was not re-signed following the 2008 season, so he decided to retire. He was the Rams' 2007
Walter Payton Man of the Year.
Although his name does not come up much in conversations about the best defensive tackles, his play was recognized by being named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team after he retired.
During his career, he played 13 seasons, went to six straight Pro Bowl
s, had 320 tackles and 83.5 sacks, 8 forced fumbles and two interceptions. He was an extremely durable player and compensated for a lack of size with great tenacity and textbook technique.
/39 Football Night sportscaster team in San Diego.
In 2010
the Saint Louis Rams hired him as their director of player programs, where he helps players make the transition to pro football and assist them with various off-field matters.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
defensive tackle in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
who ended his career with the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
. Glover retired from the NFL on June 22, 2009. He played 13 seasons with the Raiders, Saints, Cowboys, and Rams, and was a 6-Time Pro Bowl selection.
Early years
A top ranking heavyweight and award-winning shot putter at Point Loma High SchoolPoint Loma High School
Point Loma High School is a public high school in the San Diego Unified School District in San Diego, California. It is located in the Loma Portal neighborhood of Point Loma. The school serves the neighborhoods of Point Loma and Ocean Beach. In addition, students who live in Mission Hills may...
, he received letters in both wrestling and track.
Under coach Bennie Edens
Bennie Edens
Bennie Edens was the head football coach at Point Loma High School from 1950 to 1998. He received many individual coaching awards , coached the team to 5 CIF championships, and finished his career with the most wins at a single school of any coach in section history...
, he was part of the 1990 Pointers team that included Dan White
Dan White (UA quarterback)
Dan White was the starting quarterback for the University of Arizona football team from 1993–1995, a span which included the Wildcats' only PAC 10 championship to date, as well as a record-setting Fiesta Bowl victory.-High school:...
and J. J. Stokes
J. J. Stokes
Jeral Jamal Stokes is a retired American football wide receiver. Stokes played in the National Football League from 1995 to 2003 with the San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars and the New England Patriots.-High school:...
. During the 1990 season, Glover totaled 77 tackles, 17.5 sacks, six fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
recoveries and six forced fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
s, earning the honor of San Diego Co-Player of the Year.
In 1992 as a senior defensive lineman, he was named San Diego section co-Player of the Year, USA Today second-team All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
and CIF Player of the Year, Cal-Hi Sports first-team, the Los Angeles Times Lineman of the Year.
He is the third player from Point Loma High School
Point Loma High School
Point Loma High School is a public high school in the San Diego Unified School District in San Diego, California. It is located in the Loma Portal neighborhood of Point Loma. The school serves the neighborhoods of Point Loma and Ocean Beach. In addition, students who live in Mission Hills may...
to have his jersey (No. 76) retired along with Marcel Brown (No. 22) and Eric Allen
Eric Allen
Eric Andre Allen is a former professional American football cornerback who played in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, and Oakland Raiders from 1988 to 2001....
(No. 25).
College career
Although he had various college offers, he chose to follow his older brother Darcel Glover to San Diego State UniversitySan Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
and remain close to home.
While attending SDSU
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
, Glover was a four-year starter in football. As a senior he had 4.5 sacks and 36 tackles, was a defensive captain, won Aztec Outstanding Defensive Lineman honors, an All-Western Athletic Conference
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
second team selection, and was chosen to play for the West squad in the East-West shrine game. As a sophomore, he was a second team All-Western Athletic Conference
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
selection. As a freshman, he won All-Western Athletic Conference
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
honorable mention honors. He graduated with double major in public administration and sociology.
Glover was overlooked at SDSU
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
, never winning All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n status and gaining first-team All-WAC
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
only once in 1994. He still ranks third in SDSU
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
history in career tackles for loss with 44.5 and fourth in career sacks with 18.5.
In 2010 he was inducted into the Aztec Hall of Fame.
Oakland Raiders
Glover was considered undersized, so he dropped to the 34th pick in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft1996 NFL Draft
The 1996 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 20–21, 1996...
, where he was drafted
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
by the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
After playing in just two games with the Raiders during his rookie year, he released a few days before the end of the season.
The Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
had a chance to acquire Glover in a trade a few days earlier, but declined the Raiders' request for a conditional low-round draft pick.
New Orleans Saints
He was claimed by the New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
and was allocated to NFL Europe
NFL Europe
NFL Europe was an American football league which operated in Europe from 1991 until 2007. Backed by the National Football League , the largest professional American football league in the United States, it was founded as the World League of American Football to serve as a type of spring league...
's Barcelona Dragons
Barcelona Dragons
The Barcelona Dragons were a team originally in the World League of American Football and later in the resurrected NFL Europe. Their home field in Barcelona was the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuic, the 1992 Olympic Stadium, and later the Mini Estadi. The Dragons were successful on the field, making it...
in 1997
1997 NFL season
The 1997 NFL season was the 78th regular season of the National Football League. The Oilers relocated from Houston, Texas to Nashville, Tennessee...
, where he helped them win the World Bowl V
World Bowl V
World Bowl '97 was NFL Europe's 1997 championship game. The game was played at Estadi Olimpic de Montjuic in Barcelona, Spain on June 22, 1997. This World Bowl was played between the 7-3 Rhein Fire and the 5-5 Barcelona Dragons. 31,100 fans were in attendance as the Dragons won their first and...
, while earning all-league honors, ranking third in the league with 6.5 sacks and adding 36 tackles.
He returned to the United States and the NFL for the start of the 1997 season
1997 NFL season
The 1997 NFL season was the 78th regular season of the National Football League. The Oilers relocated from Houston, Texas to Nashville, Tennessee...
, and although he started just 2 of the 15 games he played in, Glover recorded 6.5 sacks.
Those experiences allowed him to developed into a top notch interior lineman, Glover then had 10 sacks and an interception in 1998
1998 NFL season
The 1998 NFL season was the 79th regular season of the National Football League.The Tennessee Oilers moved their home games from Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis to Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, still awaiting construction on a new stadium in Nashville.This was the first season that CBS...
and 8.5 sacks in 1999
1999 NFL season
The 1999 NFL season was the 80th regular season of the National Football League. The Cleveland Browns returned to the field for the first time since the 1995 season...
.
He was a solid starter during his three seasons with Mike Ditka
Mike Ditka
Michael Keller Ditka, Jr. is a former American football NFL player, television commentator, and coach. Ditka coached the Chicago Bears for 11 years and New Orleans Saints for three years. Ditka and Tom Flores are the only two people to win Super Bowls as a player, an assistant coach, and a head...
, but his career blossomed when Jim Haslett
Jim Haslett
James Donald "Jim" Haslett is an American football coach and former linebacker. He is currently the defensive coordinator of the Washington Redskins. Previously, he served as the head coach for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League, and the New Orleans Saints and St...
was hired as the Saints coach in 2000
2000 NFL season
The 2000 NFL season was the 81st regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXXV when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants.Week 1 of the season reverted to Labor Day weekend in 2000...
and decided to move him to the three-technique tackle within a great front four group. That season he led the NFL with 17 sacks (a rare feat and second most ever by a defensive tackle), made his first All-Pro
All-Pro
All-Pro is a term mostly used in the NFL for the best players of each position during that season. It began as polls of sportswriters in the early 1920s...
team and was voted the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
defensive MVP.
In 2001
2001 NFL season
The 2001 NFL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Football League.Following a pattern set in 1999, the first week of the season was permanently moved to the weekend following Labor Day...
, after recording eight sacks, earning a second Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
selection and having played five seasons with the Saints, the team thought he was declining, so they refused to pick up a $5.5 million option bonus, making him a free agent.
Dallas Cowboys
In 20022002 NFL season
The 2002 NFL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Football League.The league went back to an even number of teams, expanding to 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans. The clubs were then realigned into eight divisions, four teams in each...
the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
had endured back-to-back seasons of 5-11 when Glover signed with the team. His decision to play for the Cowboys instead of the better teams that courted him was thought to be a coup, and it was a key step in getting the Cowboys' talent base back to where it could be competitive.
During his time with the Cowboys, Glover solidified his place as one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL. He provided a veteran locker room presence helping anchor a young defensive line and was an integral part of the Cowboys' transformation from a 5-11 team into one that returned to the playoffs.
His last season with the team in 2005
2005 NFL season
The 2005 NFL season was the 86th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 8, 2005 to January 1, 2006...
he was splitting playing time with Jason Ferguson
Jason Ferguson
Jason O. Ferguson is a former American football defensive tackle who played thirteen seasons in the National Football League, for the New York Jets—who originally selected in the seventh round of the 1997 NFL Draft—, Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins...
and was pushed to a backup role in early December. He was released at the end of the season, because of his diminished role, he was not seen as well-suited for the 3-4 defense the team was planning to install and also had a high salary cap number.
He played in all 64 games during his four seasons with the Cowboys, racked up 21.5 sacks and forced five fumbles in that period. He was named to the Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
all four seasons, three of those as a starter.
Saint Louis Rams
In 20062006 NFL season
The 2006 NFL season was the 87th regular season of the National Football League.Regular season play was held from September 7 to December 31, 2006...
Glover signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
, reunitng him with Jim Haslett
Jim Haslett
James Donald "Jim" Haslett is an American football coach and former linebacker. He is currently the defensive coordinator of the Washington Redskins. Previously, he served as the head coach for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League, and the New Orleans Saints and St...
.
He played the final 3 seasons of his career with the Rams and was not re-signed following the 2008 season, so he decided to retire. He was the Rams' 2007
2007 NFL season
The 2007 NFL season was the 88th regular season of the National Football League.Regular-season play was held from September 6 to December 30....
Walter Payton Man of the Year.
Although his name does not come up much in conversations about the best defensive tackles, his play was recognized by being named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team after he retired.
During his career, he played 13 seasons, went to six straight Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
s, had 320 tackles and 83.5 sacks, 8 forced fumbles and two interceptions. He was an extremely durable player and compensated for a lack of size with great tenacity and textbook technique.
Personal
He is married to Spring, with children, La’Roi, Jr., Neomie and Sophia. Glover is a guest member on the NBC 7KNSD
KNSD is the NBC television station based in San Diego, California. It is owned by a joint venture of NBCUniversal and LIN TV . However, because NBCUniversal has majority control, KNSD is run as an NBC owned and operated station...
/39 Football Night sportscaster team in San Diego.
In 2010
2010 NFL season
The 2010 NFL season was the 91st regular season of the National Football League.The regular season began with the NFL Kickoff game on NBC on Thursday, September 9, at the Louisiana Superdome as the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV champions, defeated the Minnesota Vikings 14–9.Tom Brady,...
the Saint Louis Rams hired him as their director of player programs, where he helps players make the transition to pro football and assist them with various off-field matters.