La'Roi Glover

La'Roi Damon Glover (born July 4, 1974) is a former American football defensive tackle and current director of player programs for the St. Louis Rams of the NFL. Glover played college football for San Diego State University. From 1996 to 2008, Glover played professionally for the Oakland Raiders, Barcelona Dragons, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Rams and was a six-time Pro Bowl selection.

Early years
Born in San Diego, California, Glover graduated from Point Loma High School of San Diego in 1992. At Point Lomas, Glover lettered in football, wrestling, and track, and he earned awards in all three sports. Under coach Bennie Edens, he was part of the 1990 Pointers team that included Dan White and J. J. Stokes. During the 1990 season, Glover totaled 77 tackles, 17.5 sacks, six fumble recoveries and six forced fumbles, earning the honor of San Diego Co-Player of the Year. In 1991 as a senior defensive lineman, he was named San Diego section co-Player of the Year, USA Today second-team All-America and CIF Player of the Year, Cal-Hi Sports first-team, the Los Angeles Times Lineman of the Year.

He is the third player from Point Loma High School to have his jersey (No. 76) retired along with Marcel Brown (No. 22) and Eric Allen (No. 25).

College career
Although he had various college offers, he chose to follow his older brother Darcel Glover to San Diego State University and remain close to home.

While attending SDSU, Glover was a four-year starter in football. As a senior he had 4.5 sacks and 36 tackles, was a defensive captain, won Aztec Outstanding Defensive Lineman honors, an All-Western Athletic Conference second team selection, and was chosen to play for the West squad in the East-West shrine game. As a sophomore, he was a second team All-Western Athletic Conference selection. As a freshman, he won All-Western Athletic Conference honorable mention honors. He graduated from San Diego State in 1999 with double major in public administration and sociology.

In 2010, San Diego State athletics inducted Glover to the Aztec Hall of Fame. As of 2010, Glover ranked third all-time at San Diego State with 44.5 tackles for loss and fourth all-time in sacks (18.5).

Oakland Raiders (1996)
Glover was considered undersized, so he dropped to the 34th pick in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft, and the Oakland Raiders drafted him. In his NFL debut on November 19, Glover made two tackles against the Minnesota Vikings. His only other game in the season was next week on November 26 against the Seattle Seahawks on defensive line and special teams.

Barcelona Dragons (1997)
In the spring of 1997, Glover played for the Barcelona Dragons of the World League of American Football. Earning all-league honors, Glover helped the Dragons win World Bowl '97 and ranked third in the league with 6.5 sacks and adding 36 tackles.

New Orleans Saints (1997–2001)
The day after the Raiders waived him, Glover signed with the New Orleans Saints on August 25, 1997. Although he started only 2 of 15 games played in 1997, Glover recorded 6.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a recovered fumble, and 24 tackles. In 1998, Glover started 15 of 16 games and had 59 tackles, 10 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and an interception. Glover then made 8.5 sacks, 46 tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 1999.

He was a solid starter during his three seasons with Mike Ditka, but his career blossomed when Jim Haslett was hired as the Saints coach in 2000 and decided to move him to the three-technique tackle within a great front four group. That season he led the NFL with 17 sacks (a rare feat and second most ever by a defensive tackle), made his first All-Pro team and was voted the New Orleans Saints defensive MVP. Glover also had 46 tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery returned for 2 yards. In the Saints' come-from-behind 28-27 victory over the San Diego Chargers in Week 2 (September 10), Glover twice sacked Chargers quarterback Ryan Leaf and forced 4th-and-22 in the Chargers' final drive.

In 2001, after recording eight sacks, earning a second Pro Bowl selection and having played five seasons with the Saints, the team thought he was declining, so they refused to pick up a $5.5 million option bonus, making him a free agent.

Dallas Cowboys (2002–2005)
In 2002 the Dallas Cowboys had endured back-to-back seasons of 5-11 when Glover signed with the team. His decision to play for the Cowboys instead of the better teams that courted him was thought to be a coup, and it was a key step in getting the Cowboys' talent base back to where it could be competitive.

During his time with the Cowboys, Glover solidified his place as one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL. He provided a veteran locker room presence helping anchor a young defensive line and was an integral part of the Cowboys' transformation from a 5-11 team into one that returned to the playoffs.

His last season with the team in 2005 he was splitting playing time with Jason Ferguson and was pushed to a backup role in early December. He was released at the end of the season, because of his diminished role, he was not seen as well-suited for the 3-4 defense the team was planning to install and also had a high salary cap number.

He played in all 64 games during his four seasons with the Cowboys, racked up 21.5 sacks and forced five fumbles in that period. He was named to the Pro Bowl all four seasons, three of those as a starter.

St. Louis Rams (2006–2008)
In 2006 Glover signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Rams, reuniting him with Jim Haslett.

He was the Rams' 2007 Walter Payton Man of the Year.

The Rams released Glover after the 2008 season, and Glover announced his retirement on June 22, 2009.

Although his name does not come up much in conversations about the best defensive tackles, his play was recognized by being named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team after he retired.

During his career, he played 13 seasons, went to six straight Pro Bowls, had 320 tackles and 83.5 sacks, 8 forced fumbles and two interceptions. He was an extremely durable player and compensated for a lack of size with great tenacity and textbook technique.

Post-playing career
In 2010, the St. Louis Rams hired Glover as director of player programs, where he helps players make the transition to pro football and assist them with various off-field matters.

Glover is a guest member on the Football Night sportscaster team of San Diego television station KNSD (NBC 7/39).

Personal
He is married to Spring, and they have three children: La’Roi Jr., Neomie, and Sophia. As of 2012, Glover is studying for a Master of Business Administration degree at the College of Business Administration of alma mater San Diego State University.