He didn't start practicing football until his freshman year in high school, because he suffered from Blount's disease as a child.
As a senior, he rushed for 1,803 yards and was one of the top ranked running backs in the state, while averaging 8 tackles per game as a linebacker.
[1] He was moved to defensive end that season, recording 45 tackles (12 for losses) and led the team with 6 sacks.
In 2000, he entered training camp as the starter at right defensive end, but suffered a shoulder injury before the first preseason game.
On August 11, 2003, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent, reuniting with Bill Parcells, who coached him with the New York Jets.
He finished 11 tackles, 4.5 sacks (third on the team), 6 quarterback pressures, one pass defensed and one fumble recovery.