Dave Ahrens (born 1958) is a former American Football linebacker who played ten seasons in the National Football League.[1] The Cedar Falls, Iowa native played college football at the University of Wisconsin.
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Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||
Born: | (1958-12-05) December 5, 1958 (age 63) Cedar Falls, Iowa | ||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||
Weight: | 238 lb (108 kg) | ||||||||
Career information | |||||||||
High school: | Oregon | ||||||||
College: | Wisconsin | ||||||||
NFL Draft: | 1981 / Round: 6 / Pick: 143 | ||||||||
Career history | |||||||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Ahrens played high school at Oregon High School in Oregon, Wisconsin, where he played fullback and linebacker and was named All-State by the Associated Press his senior year.[2] Ahrens started out at the University of Wisconsin playing fullback but switched to linebacker and was captain[3] and Team MVP of the 1980 Wisconsin Badgers football team.[4]
Ahrens was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth round (143rd overall) of the 1981 NFL Draft.[5] He recorded his only interception his rookie year, which was returned for a touchdown.[6] Ahrens played in all the games and started ten his rookie season, but his playing time diminished and after four years he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts[7] for a tenth-round pick in the 1986 NFL Draft.[8]
Ahrens was traded to the Indianapolis Colts before the 1985 season. He did not start a single game in 1985 but had arguably his best NFL season in 1986, starting ten games,[9] and registering two quarterback sacks,[10] one of them helping the Colts secure their first win of the year late in the season against the Atlanta Falcons.[11]
Ahrens spent 1988 with the Detroit Lions but only played in half the games and was left unprotected.[12]
Ahrens was signed by the Miami Dolphins before 1989[13] and recorded one sack with the team. Due to salary concerns, the Dolphins released him but he did sign a Plan B contract.[14]
Ahrens signed with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency before the 1990 season.[15] He was cut during final cuts[16] only to be re-signed by the team. Ahrens was placed on injured reserve following a broken leg against the Denver Broncos late in the season.[17]
Ahrens spent the 1991 season with the Colts as an assistant coach.[18] He was part of a large group of Colts players named in a 2011 concussion lawsuit against the NFL.[19]
St. Louis Cardinals 1981 NFL draft selections | |
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