Jevon Kearse
Jevon Kearse, nicknamed "the Freak," is a former American football defensive end who played 11 seasons in the NFL from 1999 to 2009. He was born on September 3, 1976, in Fort Myers, Florida, and starred at North Fort Myers High School before playing college football for the Florida Gators. At Florida, he earned All-American honors and was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 1998, helping the Gators win the national championship in 1996.
Kearse was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft (16th overall). He made an immediate impact, winning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1999 after posting 14.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles. He helped the Titans reach Super Bowl XXXIV and earned Pro Bowl selections for three straight years (1999–2001).
In 2004, Kearse signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on a then-record contract for a defensive lineman. He played four seasons in Philadelphia, contributing to a 13–3 season in 2004 that ended with a loss in Super Bowl XXXIX. Knee injuries in 2006 limited his play, and he was released by the Eagles in 2008.
Kearse returned to the Titans in 2008 for two seasons, starting all 16 games in 2008 and recording 3.5 sacks, before his role diminished in 2009.
Over his NFL career, Kearse totaled 313 tackles, 74 sacks, 26 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, and 1 defensive touchdown. His combination of speed (4.43-second 40-yard dash), long wingspan, and athleticism earned him the nickname "the Freak." His nephew Jayron Kearse also played in the NFL.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 11:13 (CET).