 Intelligent and savvy linebacker who has ability to deliver the big hit… Tremendous work ethic and solid play has helped him work his way from undrafted free agent to starting strongside linebacker for the Buccaneers… Outstanding teammate and community leader who provides strong leadership in the linebacker corps… Appeared in 85 career games with 35 starts… Has also played and started in two postseason contests… Posted 276 career tackles, two interceptions, six passes defensed, 3.5 sacks, 73 special teams stops and one special teams fumble recovery… Originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Buccaneers on April 22, 2002. |
 2007: Appeared in 15 contests and inactive for one other (at San Francisco) on the season… Also started lone playoff contest… Totaled five defensive tackles and 16 special teams tackles… Recorded two special teams tackles at Seattle (9/9)… Had one tackle and one special teams stop vs. New Orleans (9/16)… Registered one tackle and led the team with two special teams tackles vs. St. Louis (9/23)… Tallied two special teams tackles vs. Tennessee (10/14)… Registered two special teams tackles vs. Jacksonville (10/28)… Totaled two special teams stops vs. Arizona (11/4)… Tallied two special teams stops at Atlanta (11/18)… Led team with three special teams tackles at New Orleans (12/2)… Had three tackles in late action vs. Atlanta (12/16)… Made first start of the season for the injured LB Cato June in NFC Wild Card game vs. N.Y. Giants (1/6), posting six tackles. 2006: Appeared in 15 contests (all but vs. Carolina) with 11 starts (all but vs. Carolina, vs. New Orleans, at Carolina, at Dallas and vs. Seattle)… Served as the squad’s special teams captain… Ranked fifth on the team with 93 tackles… Totaled 93 tackles, two passes defensed and six special teams tackles… Also posted 1.5 sacks… Had six tackles and one special teams stop in season opener vs. Baltimore (9/10)… Recorded first sack of the season at Atlanta (9/17), dropping QB Michael Vick for a six-yard loss… Added two tackles and one TFL against the Falcons… Inactive at Carolina (9/24) because of knee injury… Had five tackles, including one TFL, at New Orleans (10/8)… Led team with a season-high nine tackles vs. Cincinnati (10/15)… Matched his season high with nine tackles vs. Philadelphia (10/22)… Finished contest at N.Y. Giants (10/29) with a season-high tying nine tackles… Did not start vs. New Orleans (11/5) as defense opened up with five defensive backs, but finished with eight tackles and one pass defensed… Also had two special teams tackles against the Saints… Did not start for the second consecutive week as defense opened with five defensive backs at Carolina (11/13)… Totaled six tackles, including one TFL, against the Panthers… Had two tackles and one pass defensed vs. Washington (11/19)… Finished contest at Dallas (11/23) with nine tackles, including one TFL… Posted six tackles, including one TFL, at Pittsburgh (12/3)… Recorded seven tackles and 0.5 sack of Vick vs. Atlanta (12/10)… Added one special teams tackle against the Falcons… Posted seven tackles, including one TFL, at Chicago (12/17)… Posted eight tackles and one special teams tackle in season finale vs. Seattle (12/31). 2005: Played in all 16 games with 14 starts (all but vs. Buffalo and at New England)… Also started in playoff game vs. Washington… Ranked fourth on the team with a career-high 104 tackles, and ranked seventh on the team with 15 special teams tackles… Added two sacks and one pass defensed on the year… Totaled three tackles and three special teams stops at Minnesota (9/11)… Part of a defense that did not surrender an offensive touchdown against Minnesota and limited the Vikings to just 33 rushing yards… Totaled four tackles vs. Buffalo (9/18)… Added one special teams tackle against the Bills… Part of a defensive effort that limited the Bills offense to 147 total yards, eight first downs and one field goal… Recorded first career sack at Green Bay (9/25)… Recorded seven tackles and two special teams stops against the Packers… Notched six tackles and three special teams stops against Detroit (10/2)… Led the team with a career-high 11 tackles at N.Y. Jets (10/9)… Added one pass defensed and a fourth quarter sack of Jets’ QB Vinny Testaverde… Totaled seven tackles vs. Miami (10/16)… Added one special teams stop against the Dolphins… Recorded six tackles and one special teams stop at San Francisco (10/30)… Part of a defense that limited the 49ers to 50 passing yards… Finished contest vs. Carolina (11/6) with six tackles… Had six tackles vs. Washington (11/13)… Added one special teams tackle against the Redskins… Totaled seven tackles and two special teams stops at Atlanta (11/20)… Had nine tackles vs. Chicago (11/27)… Posted four tackles at New Orleans (12/4)… Totaled six tackles at Carolina (12/11)… Recorded five tackles and one special teams stop at New England (12/17)… Notched eight tackles vs. Atlanta (12/24)… Finished regular season with nine tackles vs. New Orleans (1/1)… Totaled six tackles, including one TFL, in NFC Wild Card game vs. Washington (1/7)… Also had one special teams tackle against the Redskins. 2004: Appeared in all 16 contests… Ranked fourth on the team with 16 special teams tackles… Recorded second career interception against Atlanta (12/5)… Finished season with two tackles, one interception, one pass defensed and one special teams fumble recovery… Recorded two special teams tackles and one special teams fumble recovery at Oakland (9/26)… Tied for the team lead with three special teams tackles at St. Louis (10/18)… Finished contest against San Francisco (11/21) with two tackles and one special teams tackle… Posted two special teams tackles at Carolina (11/28)… Recorded a fourth quarter interception of QB Michael Vick against Atlanta (12/5)… Finished contest against the Falcons with one pass defensed and one special teams tackle… Tied for the team lead with two special teams tackles at Arizona (1/2). 2003: Played in 15 games (all but vs. Green Bay) with 10 starts at SLB (all but at Washington, at San Francisco, vs. Dallas, at Carolina, vs. Green Bay and vs. Houston)… Ranked sixth on the team with 70 tackles in his first year as a starter… Finished the season with one interception, two passes defensed and nine special teams tackles… Posted six tackles in first career start at SLB at Philadelphia (9/8)… Helped defense post third shutout in last 16 regular season games… Added two special teams tackles… Notched six tackles in start at SLB vs. Carolina (9/14)… Notched first career interception against QB Doug Johnson at Atlanta (9/21)… Finished game with nine tackles and one pass defensed… Helped defense limit the Falcons to 136 total yards, the seventh best defensive effort in club history… Posted five tackles in start at SLB against Indianapolis (10/6)… Had nine stops at San Francisco (10/19) and led team with two special teams stops… Did not start against Dallas (10/26) as team opened up with five defensive backs… Totaled three tackles and a pass defensed vs. the Cowboys… Helped the defense post its second shutout of the season… Started at SLB against New Orleans (11/2), recording five tackles before leaving the game with a sprained right ankle… Did not start at Carolina (11/9) because of ankle injury… Was inactive against Green Bay because of ankle injury (11/16)… Totaled three tackles and two special teams stops in start at SLB against the N.Y. Giants (11/24)… Part of a defensive effort that held the Giants offense to 212 total yards… Recorded seven tackles in start at SLB at Jacksonville (11/30)… Totaled seven tackles at New Orleans (12/7)… Helped limit Saints RB Deuce McAllister to 69 rushing yards on 22 carries (3.1 avg.)… Also added one special teams tackle against the Saints… Posted three tackles against Houston (12/14)… Part of a defensive effort that surrendered just 107 total yards to the Texans, tying for the second lowest total in team history… Notched four tackles in start against Atlanta (12/20). 2002: Played in the first eight games as a reserve linebacker and on special teams in his rookie campaign before tearing his left ACL at Carolina (10/27)... Was placed on injured reserve on October 29, ending his season... Totaled two tackles and 11 special teams stops on the year... Appeared on special teams in first NFL game, leading the team with two special teams stops against New Orleans (9/8)... Recorded first defensive tackle of the season against St. Louis (9/23)... Finished game with two tackles and added two special teams stops... Saw majority of action on special teams at Cincinnati (9/29) recording one stop... Played extensively on special teams at Atlanta (10/6), tying for a team-high three special teams tackles... Posted one special teams tackle vs. Cleveland (10/13)... Registered one special teams stop at Carolina (10/27) before sustaining a season-ending left ACL tear in the fourth quarter. |
 Honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection and Butkus Award semifinalist as a senior at UCLA... 281 career tackles (173 solo), with 22 tackles for loss and 10 sacks... Started all 11 games his senior season, pushing his streak of consecutive starts to 32... In 2001, ranked third on the team in tackles with 53 (31 solo), with six for loss... Scored two defensive touchdowns... 13 tackles vs. Alabama, including one for loss... At Stanford, recorded nine tackles and returned a fumbled punt 39 yards for a touchdown... Broke his left fibula on the first play of the game vs. Arizona State, made two tackles and recovered one fumble before finally leaving the game in the third quarter... Started all 12 games as a junior in 2000... Led Bruins in tackles against Washington with 14 tackles... In 1999, started all nine games he appeared in, finishing his sophomore year third on the squad in tackles with 65... Earned freshman All-America honors and All-Pac-10 honorable mention in 1998... Second on the Bruins in tackles (85), sacks (six) and tackles for loss (10)... Redshirted his first year and saw action at safety on the practice squad... Earned spot on Director’s Honor Roll five times while at UCLA... Majored in business economics. |
 Has a strong football background; his father is Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott... Formalized his charitable efforts in the form of The Ryan Nece Foundation during the Fall of 2006... At the heart of his Foundation lies the Good Samaritan Program, designed to help those in need achieve victory over life’s obstacles... Additionally, the program encourages people to “pass it on” by in turn helping others around them... The Foundation launched the Good Samaritan Awards Program in the Fall of 2007 to recognize exceptional Hillsborough and Pinellas County high school students in the areas of academics and community service... The Program also awards two college scholarships annually... Held the second annual “The Night with the Stars” gala this past offseason... The fundraiser raised $30,000 for the foundation’s charitable programs... Hosted the Good Samaritan Holiday Celebration in Dec. 2007 at The Florida Aquarium where over 60 children from The Life Center, Safe Children Coalition and Haven Poe Runaway Center received gifts, had their pictures taken with Nece & Santa Claus, toured the Aquarium and participated in arts and crafts... In August 2007, provided 150 backpacks and school supplies for children at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Migrant Mission in Wimauma, FL... Tampa Bay Illustrated named Nece to The Perfect 10 in its April 2007 publication... An annual edition, The Perfect 10 features the Bay area’s most fashionable and charitable men... Joined several teammates at the annual Miller Lite Kickoff Party in Channelside to help Buccaneers fans get ready for the 2007 season... Spoke to students at Oak Grove Middle School in Clearwater about the importance of physical activity and sound nutrition during a Buccaneers and American Heart Association “What Moves U” fitness rally in October 2007... Spoke to the Sports Club of Tampa Bay during their October 2007 meeting... Was a celebrity judge at the 2007 Taste of Clearwater... In May, 2007 presented Bay Pines VA Healthcare System with a total of 17 computers and 44 Web cams with headsets for use in connecting patients with family members located around the country... The donation served as the first Good Samaritan Project of 2007... As part of the annual NFL Player Foundation Grants Program, NFL Charities awarded one of just 64 grants to The Ryan Nece Foundation in February, 2007... Was listed in the “2005 Big Hearts” section of The Sporting News “The Good Guys” issue for traveling to a children’s hospital in December 2004, then returning later that day with teammate Jermaine Phillips to visit kids on one floor who had been missed because of time limitations... Was named as one of The Sporting News “Good Guys in Sports” in 2003... Sponsored his own ticket program, “Nece’s Pieces,” at all Buccaneer home games in support of civil servants from Bay area police and fire stations and other Bay area children’s charities since 2004... In conjunction with James Brown, host of CBS Sports’ “THE NFL TODAY,” and the NFLPA, was honored with a JB Award in April, 2007 which recognizes NFL players for their commitment to achieve excellence off the field through building better communities and stronger families... Along with LB Shelton Quarles, helped organize the “Top 50 Moms in the Bay Area” contest during the past four Mother’s Days (2004-2008), as well as the “Top 50 Dads in the Bay Area” contest during the past four Father’s Days (2004-2008)... Along with Phillips, hosted two Good Samaritan Holiday Celebrations in 2006, where they handed out gifts to 50 children affiliated with the Children’s Dream Fund and provided gifts for approximately 120 children affiliated with the University Area Community Center... In addition to handing out gifts, the two teammates announced the first beneficiary of the Good Samaritan Program at the UACC holiday event... The Good Samaritan Program was developed by Nece and Phillips, who have made community giving a daily part of their lives since joining the team together in 2002... Along with several teammates, visited patients at All Children’s Hospital, as well as residents at Westminister Palms Retirement Home during the week of Christmas 2006 to take photos and sign autographs with each child at the hospital... After the hospital, they then traveled to Westminister Palms where they sung holiday songs for the residents and passed out Buccaneers pennants... Hosted Metropolitan Ministries’ Sneaker Feat event to coach approximately 60 children through the Gatorade Junior Training Camp in October 2006... Taught football fundamentals to Celebration Parks and Recreation Summer Breakout Campers during a Gatorade Junior Training Camp session at the Buccaneers 2007 training camp... In June 2006 and 2007, along with Quarles, hosted a youth football camp at Warner Southern College in Lake Wales, Florida... In 2006, Nece led an effort to provide almost $100,000 of Nike and Reebok merchandise to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims... Nece created the “Step Up” Program in the weeks after the Gulf Coast tragedy by rallying friends and fellow NFL players to supply goods to those affected by the catastrophe through their merchandise allotments... Visited the youth at Falkenburg Academy during the last four seasons (2004-2007) to deliver Thanksgiving meals and speak to the cadets about getting their lives back on track... Held Camp4Champs, a football and lifeskills camp for kids ages 8-18 in 2005... Signed autographs at the 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2007 Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent in exchange for new unwrapped toys that were distributed to families in need... Teamed up with Tampa Bay Devil Rays players to collect toys for Metropolitan Ministries’ 2004 annual toy drive... Signed autographs and took pictures with patients as part of the Kids Wish Networks’ Holiday of Hope party at Shriners Hospital for Children... For three seasons (2003-2005), joined several teammates at the North Shore Retirement Home to sing holiday tunes and pass out Buccaneer pennants... During the 2005 and 2006 offseasons, was one of several NFL players who took part in the NFL’s Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program... Will again attend the NFL Business Management & Entrepreneurial Program at Wharton Business School at the end of March 2008... In 2005, he enrolled at the Harvard Business School which emphasized entrepreneurial opportunities and business management... In 2006, he enrolled at the Stanford Graduate School of Business which seeks to broaden a player’s understanding of how to evaluate business opportunities in general and in the sports industry specifically... Was recognized as the newcomer of the year by the Buccaneers’ Community Relations Department in 2002 for his work in the community... Joined several teammates during the 2005 offseason to serve as celebrity waiters at the Royal Palace Thai restaurant in South Tampa to aid in fundraising efforts for victims of the tsunami in Southeast Asia... Along with the 2004 Buccaneers Rookie Club, helped run the Gatorade Youth Football Clinic... Appeared on the Buccaneers float during the 2004-2006 Gasparilla Day parades... As part of Thanksgiving in 2004, stuffed and distributed food baskets at Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Food Tent... In 2004, headed to downtown Tampa to distribute information about how to get involved in Hands On Tampa, the local United Way volunteer program... Along with several teammates, visited MacDill Air Force Base in honor of Veteran’s Day 2004... During the 2004 season, attended the Shelton Quarles IMPACT Foundation Extra Effort Awards Luncheon where he served as a table host for other attendees... In 2003, 2004, and 2007, signed autographs and helped United States Postal Workers at the St. Petersburg Main Postal Facility collect tax forms from the many last minute filers on Tax Night... Was the guest speaker at the 2004 Hillsborough County Middle School Scholar Athlete Awards program... Served as a greeter at the finish line and award presenter at the Buccaneers and TECO Energy’s 4th Annual Draft Day Dash during the 2004 offseason... Participated with students from Clearwater Central Catholic High School in their annual “Here Comes Santa Claus” celebration in 2003... In honor of Veteran’s Day 2003, helped cook and serve food to the veterans at James A. Haley VA Hospital... Along with the Buccaneers’ Student Advisory Board, participated in Halloween activities at the Children’s Home of Tampa Bay in 2003... Visited the inmates at Polk Correctional Institution to address the importance of making informed decisions and speak about his faith in 2003... Participated in Metropolitan Ministries’ 2002 SneakerFeat event by reading stories and playing games with children at the temporary care facility for the homeless... Was part of a group of players who visited MacDill Air Force Base on Sept. 10, 2002 to meet and honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces for their efforts in defending our nation and protecting our freedom... Was named October’s NFL “Extra Effort” Award winner for his commitment and dedication to his community in 2002... In October 2002, took part in a 16th birthday celebration for Metropolitan Ministries, a temporary care facility for the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless in the Tampa Bay community... Despite suffering a season-ending knee injury in the previous week’s game, he attended the Children’s Home Halloween Party in 2002 to help the children choose and carve pumpkins and decorate trick-or-treat bags... Took part in the second annual “Bucs Easter Egg Hunt” in 2002, visiting and taking pictures with many of the nearly 4,000 child participants... Member of the 2002 Buccaneers’ rookie club that spent considerable time working in the community... Earned All-League honors at both safety and quarterback at Pacific (San Bernardino, California) High School... PrepStar All-American and All-West selection... Team captain his junior and senior years... As a senior, recorded 77 tackles, five sacks and five interceptions... Added 747 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns, 957 passing yards and 17 touchdown passes... Earned All-League honors in basketball and track... Born Ryan Clint Nece on February 24, 1979 in San Bernardino, California. |
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