'Dana William Stubblefield' (born
November 14,
1970 in
Cleves, Ohio) is a former
American football defensive tackle in the
NFL. He grew up in
Cleves, Ohio and attended the
University of Kansas.
National Football League career
Stubblefield was drafted in the 1st round of the
1993 NFL Draft, 26th overall, by the
San Francisco 49ers. In his rookie year, Stubblefield led the 49ers with 10.5 sacks (Making himself The
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year), and recorded 8.5 the following year. He appeared in the
Pro Bowl in
1994 and
1995. The
1996 season was, by all counts a failure for Stubblefield, but his
1997 season found him recording 15 sacks. Stubblefield was rewarded for his efforts by being named
1997's
NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the
Associated Press, a feat many believed belonged to
Bryant Young the DT who had been double teamed all season long.
After the
1997 season, he was granted unconditional free agency and signed with the
Washington Redskins where his numbers greatly diminished despite the fact that he played opposite
Dan Wilkinson, who often drew double-teams. He returned to
San Francisco in
2001 and
2002, and played with the
Oakland Raiders as a
free agent in
2003. In
2004 he was signed by the
New England Patriots, but released before the start of the season.
As an actor, he appeared in the movie ''
Reindeer Games'' with
Ben Affleck and
Charlize Theron.