D'Brickashaw Ferguson

D'Brickashaw Montgomery Ferguson (born December 10, 1983), is an American football left tackle for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Virginia. He was picked by the Jets fourth overall in the 2006 NFL Draft, and has been selected for the Pro Bowl three times.

Early years
Ferguson attended Freeport High School in the Long Island village of Freeport, New York. He nearly gave up football during his freshman year in high school.

Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Ferguson was ranked as the No. 29 offensive guard prospect in the nation. He chose Virginia over Michigan State.

As a child he appeared on Nickelodeon's Wild and Crazy Kids and rode in a BMX vs. Horses race.

College career
At the University of Virginia, Ferguson started his college career listed at 260 lb, often dropping to 245 lb through the regular season. He started 49 games for the Cavaliers, and he was named to the consensus All-America first team during his final season. He was placed on the all-Atlantic Coast Conference first team two years in a row, and he became Virginia's first All-ACC offensive tackle since 1998. Ferguson started at left tackle in four consecutive bowl games for the Cavaliers. He played linebacker on a special defensive package employed sparingly in 2003. He did this while earning a religious studies degree in only 3.5 years. He was an All-America selection in 2004 by Pro Football Weekly.

2006 NFL Draft
Considered an undersized offensive tackle after playing at 295 pounds during his senior year at Virginia, Ferguson officially weighed in at 312 for the NFL combine. As an offensive tackle, Ferguson's talent is found in his lower body strength, athleticism and flexibility. This athleticism and flexibility is further evidenced in his attaining a black belt in Shotokan karate and brown belt in taekwondo. Adding to that ability is his natural build, as Ferguson has an armspan of 87 in.

Ferguson was one of six players the NFL invited to New York for the 2006 NFL Draft events. He was selected 4th overall by the New York Jets. The last time the Jets used their first pick on an offensive tackle was 1988, when they selected Dave Cadigan of USC at No. 8.

New York Jets
Ferguson finally reached the NFL when the New York Jets drafted him with the 4th pick overall after Vince Young was chosen by the Titans. On July 26, 2006, Ferguson signed a five-year deal with the Jets that was similar to the $35 million deal that 2005’s No. 4 pick, Cedric Benson, signed with the Chicago Bears. Designated as Jason Fabini's successor, Ferguson started every game at left tackle for the Jets since the beginning of the 2006 NFL season. On January 8, 2010 Miami Dolphins Tackle Jake Long withdrew from the 2010 Pro Bowl due to injuries and Ferguson was named as his replacement. He was invited to the 2011 Pro Bowl.

Personal
Ferguson is named after Father Ralph de Bricassart, a fictional character in the 1977 novel and 1983 mini-series The Thorn Birds. His name ostensibly inspired a 2012 sketch by Key & Peele introducing a fictitious all-star college football roster of outlandishly named players.

Ferguson's home town, Freeport, New York, has dedicated a street to him. On September 29, 2009, South Ocean Avenue, where he grew up, received secondary signage as D'Brickashaw Ferguson Way. D'Brickashaw Ferguson is a black belt in Karate.