View source for David Pollack

{{Short description|American football player and analyst (born 1982)}}
{{about|the former American football player|the politician|David Pollack (politician)|people named David Pollock|David Pollock (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name        = David Pollack
| image       = David Pollack - 2018 SEC Summerfest (cropped).jpg
| image_size  =
| alt         = 
| caption     = Pollack in 2018
| position    = [[Linebacker]]
| number      = 99
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1982|6|19|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[New Brunswick, New Jersey]], U.S.
| death_date  = 
| death_place = 
| height_ft   = 6
| height_in   = 2
| weight_lbs  = 265
| high_school = [[Shiloh High School (Georgia)|Shiloh]] ([[Snellville, Georgia]])
| college     = [[Georgia Bulldogs football|Georgia]] (2001–2004)
| draftyear   = 2005
| draftround  = 1
| draftpick   = 17
| pastteams   =
* [[Cincinnati Bengals]] ({{NFL Year|2005}}–{{NFL Year|2007}})
| highlights  =
* [[Chuck Bednarik Award]] (2004)
* [[Lott Trophy]] (2004)
* [[Lombardi Award]] (2004)
* 2× [[Ted Hendricks Award]] (2003, 2004)
* 2× Consensus [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[2002 College Football All-America Team|2002]], [[2004 College Football All-America Team|2004]])
* First-team All-American ([[2003 College Football All-America Team|2003]])
* 2× [[SEC Defensive Player of the Year]] (2002, 2004)
* 3× First-team [[List of All-SEC football teams|All-SEC]] ([[2002 All-SEC football team|2002]], [[2003 All-SEC football team|2003]], [[2004 All-SEC football team|2004]])
* [[2005 Outback Bowl]] MVP
* [[Florida–Georgia football rivalry#Florida&ndash;Georgia Hall of Fame|Florida–Georgia Hall of Fame]]
| statseason  = 
| statlabel1  = [[Tackle (football move)#American and Canadian football|Total tackles]]
| statvalue1  = 29
| statlabel2  = [[Quarterback sacks|Sacks]]
| statvalue2  = 4.5
| statlabel3  = [[Fumble|Fumble recoveries]]
| statvalue3  = 1
| pfr         = PollDa20
| CollegeHOF  = Elected in 2020 
}}

'''David M. Pollack''' (born June 19, 1982) is an American [[college football]] analyst and former player who was a [[linebacker]] two seasons in the [[National Football League]] (NFL). He played [[college football]] for the [[University of Georgia]], was a three-time [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]], and was recognized as the top college defensive player in the nation. Pollack had 36 sacks during his collegiate career, third most in NCAA history. He was a first-round pick in the [[2005 NFL draft]], and played professionally for the NFL's [[Cincinnati Bengals]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2005 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2005/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-07 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He suffered a career-ending neck injury in the second game of his second season with the Bengals. From 2011 to 2023, he was a college football analyst for [[ESPN]].

==Early life==
Pollack was born in [[New Brunswick, New Jersey]]. He attended [[Shiloh High School (Georgia)|Shiloh High School]] in [[Snellville, Georgia]], and was a star in football, [[basketball]] and [[amateur wrestling|wrestling]]. In football, as a senior, he was a Class 5A all-state selection and the Atlanta Touchdown Club named him the Defensive Lineman of the Year.

==College career==
Pollack attended the University of Georgia, where he played for coach [[Mark Richt]]'s [[Georgia Bulldogs football]] team from 2001 to 2004 and was a roommate of future NFL [[quarterback]] [[David Greene (American football)|David Greene]].

For three consecutive seasons, he was recognized as a first-team [[List of All-SEC football teams|All-Southeastern Conference]] (SEC) selection and a first-team [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[2002 College Football All-America Team|2002]], [[2003 College Football All-America Team|2003]], [[2004 College Football All-America Team|2004]])—twice as an NCAA consensus first-team honoree, having received the first-team selections of a majority of All-America selector organizations in 2002 and 2004.<ref>{{cite web |title=2011 NCAA Football Records - Award Winners |url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2011/Awards.pdf |website=NCAA.org |access-date=April 10, 2020 |page=11}}</ref> He is only the second player in Bulldogs team history to earn first-team All-American honors in three seasons, following Heisman Trophy-winner [[Herschel Walker]]. In addition to his All-American accolades, Pollack received the following:

* SEC Player of the Year Award (2002, 2004)
* SEC Defensive Player of the Year Award (2004)
* [[Chuck Bednarik Award]] (2004)
* [[Ted Hendricks Award]] (2003, 2004)
* [[Lombardi Award]] (2004)
* [[Lott Trophy]] (2004)

His signature play came during the second game of the 2002 season. Pollack batted down a pass from [[South Carolina Gamecocks|South Carolina]] [[quarterback]] Corey Jenkins in the South Carolina end zone and managed to catch the ball in the end zone before it hit the ground; Pollack was credited with a 0-yard interception return for a touchdown. Pollack finished his college career with 36 sacks, a Georgia career record, and ranks third in NCAA history.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

He graduated from the University of Georgia with a [[bachelor's degree]] in history.

==Professional career==
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2
| weight = 265
| dash = 4.75
| ten split = 1.67
| twenty split = 2.71
| shuttle = 3.94
| cone drill = 6.87
| vertical = 37
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 0
| bench = 25
| wonderlic = 
| arm span = 
| hand span = 
| note = All values from [[NFL Combine]].<ref>{{cite web |title=David Pollack, DS #1 DE, Georgia |url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=54750&draftyear=2005&genpos=DE |website=nfldraftscout.com |access-date=April 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100904130144/http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=54750&draftyear=2005&genpos=DE |archive-date=September 4, 2010}}</ref>
}}

In his rookie season of 2005, Pollack was a reserve until the Bengals' sixth game, when he became a starter at linebacker. He missed two games due to a sprained knee. However, he still ranked second on the team with 4.5 sacks on the season,<ref name="ESPN 1214">{{cite web |title=Surgery could end career of Bengals LB Pollack |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2697810 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=April 10, 2020 |date=December 14, 2006}}</ref> and posted 22 tackles and six assists for a total of 28.<ref name="ESPN 1214" />

In his second NFL season, 2006, he started the Bengals' first game. On September 17, 2006, in game against in-state rival [[Cleveland Browns]], Pollack suffered what was later determined to be a broken sixth [[cervical vertebrae]] during a tackle in the first quarter. He reportedly suffered no [[paralysis]], but was taken off the field on a stretcher and underwent surgery to fuse two [[vertebrae]], and was required to wear a halo brace for three months. Pollack's injury was determined to be a possible career-ending one. However, on January 7, 2007, [[ESPN]] reported that Pollack would be able to resume his career as long as the rehabilitation process went as planned. On July 11, 2007, it was announced that Pollack would not play at all during the 2007 season as his recovery continued.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hobson |first1=Geoff |title=Thurman still waiting; Pollack out for '07 |url=http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=6121 |website=bengals.com |access-date=April 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713172953/http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=6121 |archive-date=July 13, 2007 |date=July 10, 2007}}</ref>

On April 22, 2008, Bengals head coach [[Marvin Lewis]] announced that Pollack was "not completely comfortable where he [was] medically" and that he would retire.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Curnutte |first1=Mark |title=Pollack expected to retire |url=http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20080422/SPT02/304220097/ |website=cincinnati.com |access-date=April 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714211904/http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20080422/SPT02/304220097/ |archive-date=July 14, 2012 |date=April 22, 2008}}</ref>

==Post-football career==
[[File:2023-0109-CFPtitlegame Rece Davis David Pollack Nick Saban.jpg|thumb|Pollack with Rece Davis and Nick Saban prior to the [[2023 College Football Playoff National Championship|2023 National Championship game]]]]
Pollack's new company, FanBan, manufactures sports banners that feature sports photographs and college football team logos. FanBan events have raised $4,321 for the [[YMCA]] scholarships that help underprivileged kids participate in YMCA programs as of February 10, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=Former Dogs boost YMCA scholarships |url=http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/021008/business_briefs.shtml |website=onlineathens.com |access-date=April 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614073203/http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/021008/business_briefs.shtml |archive-date=June 14, 2011 |date=February 9, 2008}}</ref>

On September 9, 2008, Pollack began a new career as an afternoon sports talk host on Atlanta's 790 ''The Zone''. Also in 2008, Pollack began studio work for [[CBS]]'s college football coverage. In 2009, Pollack joined ESPN as a college football analyst.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/pollack_david/|title=David Pollack}}</ref>

In fall 2011, he became part of ESPN's ''[[College GameDay (football TV program)|College GameDay]]'' and a host on the ''Palmer and Pollack'' show.

In summer 2012, it was announced that Pollack would join [[Rece Davis]], [[Jesse Palmer]], and [[Samantha Ponder]] on ESPN's ''Thursday Night Football'', replacing [[Craig James (running back)|Craig James]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hiestand |first1=Michael |title=ESPN drafts Pollack to replace James on Thursday games |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/story/2012-06-26/hiestand-david-pollack-apollo-ohno/55845378/1 |website=usatoday.com |access-date=April 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628052113/https://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/story/2012-06-26/hiestand-david-pollack-apollo-ohno/55845378/1 |archive-date=June 28, 2012 |date=June 26, 2012}}</ref>

In October 2013, he received harsh criticism for his public comments that women should not be allowed to serve on the [[College Football Playoff]] selection committee because they had not played the game.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schwartz |first1=Nick |title=ESPN analyst says women should not be a part of the College Football Playoff selection committee |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/10/espn-david-pollack-women-college-football-sam-ponder-condoleezza-rice/ |website=usatoday.com |access-date=April 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005165301/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/10/espn-david-pollack-women-college-football-sam-ponder-condoleezza-rice/ |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |date=October 5, 2013}}</ref>

On March 11, 2020, Pollack was announced as one of the newest members of the College Football Hall of Fame. He was announced live on air by his College Gameday colleague, [[Rece Davis]].

On June 30, 2023, Pollack was laid off by ESPN.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-30 |title=David Pollack, prominent College GameDay host, learns future amid ESPN layoffs |url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/college-football/david-pollack-prominent-college-gameday-host-learns-future-amid-espn-layoffs/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=Saturday Down South |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |first2= |date=2023-06-30 |title=ESPN cutting around 20 on-air stars in dramatic layoffs |url=https://nypost.com/2023/06/30/espn-laying-off-top-talent-to-save-millions/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Pollack is a [[Christianity|Christian]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pease |first1=Joshua |title=ESPN's David Pollack brings both brashness and belief to broadcasting role |url=https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/football/2019/08/20/espns-david-pollack-brings-both-brashness-and-belief-to-broadcasting-role/ |website=Sports Spectrum |date=August 20, 2019 |access-date=5 September 2022}}</ref> Pollack is married with one son and one daughter.<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet David. |url=https://www.pollackfamilyfoundation.com/about-us |access-date=5 September 2022}}</ref>

David and Lindsey Pollack created The Pollack Family Foundation, an organization with a vision of “… a nation of healthy families” and a mission to “… educate individuals, families and communities on the benefits of nutrition and exercise, and provide them opportunities to embrace healthy living through eating well and physical activity.“<ref>{{cite web |title=The Pollack Family Foundation |url=https://www.pollackfamilyfoundation.com/ |access-date=5 September 2022}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Footballstats |nfl=2506355 |pfr=P/PollDa20}}
* {{Twitter}}

{{Navboxes|list=
{{Lombardi Award}}
{{Chuck Bednarik Award}}
{{Ted Hendricks Award}}
{{Lott Trophy}}
{{2002 NCAA Division I-A College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{2004 NCAA Division I-A College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{Southeastern Conference Football Player of the Year navbox}}
{{2005 NFL Draft}}
{{BengalsFirstPick}}
{{Bengals2005DraftPicks}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pollack, David}}
[[Category:1984 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Snellville, Georgia]]
[[Category:Players of American football from New Brunswick, New Jersey]]
[[Category:American football linebackers]]
[[Category:Georgia Bulldogs football players]]
[[Category:All-American college football players]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Bengals players]]
[[Category:College football announcers]]
[[Category:ESPN people]]
[[Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees]]