Russell Maryland

Russell James Maryland (born March 22, 1969) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for 10 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, and Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes. Maryland was selected by the Cowboys with the first overall pick in the 1991 NFL Draft.

Early life
Maryland was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, where he played high school football at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School. He was not highly recruited, and the only major college program to offer him a scholarship was the University of Miami.

In 1989, he was named third team All-American. As a senior in 1990, he registered 96 tackles and $10 1/2$ quarterback sacks for the Miami Hurricanes. He was named a consensus All-American, College Football Lineman of the Year by the UPI and became the first Hurricane player ever to receive the Outland Trophy for the best lineman in college.

Maryland finished his college career with 279 tackles, 25 tackles for losses and 20.5 quarterback sacks, while helping his team win two national championships, four bowl games, a perfect home record and a 44-4 overall record.

Prior to his graduation from Miami, Russell was inducted into the Iron Arrow Honor Society, the highest honor bestowed by the university.

In 2001, he was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame. The same year, he was inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. In 2016, he received the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award.

Dallas Cowboys
Maryland was the first overall pick in the 1991 NFL Draft, by the Dallas Cowboys, after the initial No. 1 prospect Raghib Ismail decided to sign with the Toronto Argonauts. After the New England Patriots failed to sign Ismail, the Cowboys attempted to do so by trading for the first overall pick, sending the Patriots Eugene Lockhart, Ron Francis, David Howard, a 1991 first round pick (#11 Pat Harlow) and a 1991 second round pick (#41 Jerome Henderson).

Maryland started as a rookie defensive tackle and from the beginning showed the relentless motor and effort that he would be known for. He was especially stout against the run and helped the team win three Super Bowls. In 1993 he was named to his only Pro Bowl.

Oakland Raiders
On July 19, 1996, he signed as a free agent with the Oakland Raiders. On April 1, 2000, he was released in a salary cap move. He started 63 out of 64 games with the Raiders.

Green Bay Packers
On April 20, 2000, he was signed as a free agent by the Green Bay Packers, to replace Gilbert Brown as the team's starting nose tackle. He started all 16 games during the season. On September 2, 2001, he was released after refusing to take a pay cut.

During his 10-year career he started 140-of-154 games, had 371 tackles, 24.5 sacks and recovered six fumbles.