David Earl Ponder (born June 27, 1962) is a former American football

defensive tackle A defensive tackle (DT) is a position in American football that will typically line up on the line of scrimmage, opposite one of the offensive guards, however he may also line up opposite one of the tackles. Defensive tackles are typically the la ...

in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He played

college football College football (french: Football universitaire) refers to gridiron football played by teams of student athletes. It was through college football play that American football rules first gained popularity in the United States. Unlike most ...

Florida State University Florida State University (FSU) is a public research university in Tallahassee, Florida. It is a senior member of the State University System of Florida. Founded in 1851, it is located on the oldest continuous site of higher education in the st ...

Early years

Ponder attended

Cairo High School Cairo High School is a public high school in Cairo, Georgia. United States. The school's motto is "With Pride, We Give Our Best." Cairo High School was recognized as the SAT Region Winner for Class AAA and Region 1-AAA for 2005 and 2006. CHS s ...

in Cairo, Georgia. He received All-state honors as a senior. He accepted a football scholarship from

where he was a two-year starter at nose guard and

for the Seminoles. As a junior in 1982, he was moved from defensive tackle to nose guard to replace an injured Lennie Chavers. As a senior in 1983, he was moved back to defensive tackle and registered 5 sacks (second on the team).

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Ponder was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the

1984 NFL Draft The 1984 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held May 1–2, 1984, at the Omni Park Cent ...

. He played

and was waived on August 27,

1984 Events January * January 1 – The Bornean Sultanate of Brunei gains full independence from the United Kingdom, having become a British protectorate in 1888. * January 7 – Brunei becomes the sixth member of the Association of Southeast A ...

. In

1985 The year 1985 was designated as the International Youth Year by the United Nations. Events January * January 1 ** The Internet's Domain Name System is created. ** Greenland withdraws from the European Economic Community as a result of a ...

, Ponder was re-signed and appeared in four games. On October 26, he was released to make room to activate

Don Smerek Donald Frederick Smerek (born December 20, 1957) is a former professional American football defensive lineman in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Nevada. Early years Smerek atten ...

Los Angeles Raiders

On November 21,

, he was signed by the Los Angeles Raiders. He was released two days later on November 23.

Buffalo Bills

On May 6,

1986 The year 1986 was designated as the International Year of Peace by the United Nations. Events January * January 1 ** Aruba gains increased autonomy from the Netherlands by separating from the Netherlands Antilles. **Spain and Portugal ente ...

, he signed as a free agent with the

Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in the Buffalo metropolitan area. The Bills compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division. ...

to play nose guard. He was cut on August 17.

Calgary Stampeders

, he signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He was released on October 19.

Personal life

His son

Christian Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...

played quarterback for the

Florida State Seminoles The Florida State Seminoles are the athletic teams representing Florida State University located in Tallahassee, Florida. They compete as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level (Football Bowl Subdivis ...

while in college and the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ponder, David 1962 births Players of American football from Florida American football defensive tackles Canadian football defensive linemen American players of Canadian football Living people Florida State Seminoles football players Dallas Cowboys players Los Angeles Raiders players Calgary Stampeders players People from Washington, North Carolina