:Sergio Kindle

Kindle was coached by Bobby Estes at Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, Texas. Playing offense and defense, he excelled at running back and linebacker, rushing for 5,627 yards and 86 touchdowns.

Kindle was also the only player in Texas to boast all-state honors on both offense and defense in 2005. He was also named first-team All-American by USA Today as well as a PARADE All-America selection and Parade Player of the Year finalist. After his senior season, Kindle was invited to play in the 2006 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Regarded as a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Kindle was ranked as the No. 1 inside linebacker prospect in the class of 2006.{{Citation |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/rankings/rank-1156 |title=Inside linebackers 2006 |work=Rivals.com |date=January 31, 2006 }} and was considered the best linebacker prospect from the Dallas area since Dallas Carter's Jessie Armstead in 1989.{{Citation |last=McMahon |first=Tim |title=Man of steel: Versatile, durable Sergio Kindle adds to Woodrow legacy |date=August 25, 2005 |newspaper=Dallas Morning News |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DM&p_theme=dm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10C38F4206E88248&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D }}

Kindle also played basketball as Woodrow Wilson High's starting center in addition to running the 400m, 4×400-meter relay and competing in the long jump.

After missing the first two games of the 2006 Longhorn football season with an ankle injury, Kindle appeared in 11 games at strongside linebacker and on special teams. He registered 21 tackles, three tackles for losses and ranked third on the team in special teams tackles with eight.

Over the summer prior to the 2007 season, Kindle and his teammate Henry Melton were arrested in separate incidents on charges of driving while intoxicated.{{cite news|url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/08/03/Sports/Law-Seeks.Out.Texas.Football.Again-2929321.shtml |title=Law seeks out Texas football, again |publisher=The Daily Texan |author=Jankowski, Philip |date=August 3, 2007 |access-date=August 3, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184751/http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/08/03/Sports/Law-Seeks.Out.Texas.Football.Again-2929321.shtml |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |df=mdy }}{{cite news | url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5024080.html | work=Houston Chronicle | title=UT tackle turns self in on aggravated robbery charge | author=Duarte, Joseph | date=August 3, 2007 | access-date=August 3, 2007}}{{cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/08/03/jones_suspended_indefinitely.html | title=Jones suspended indefinitely | publisher=Austin American-Statesman | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | date=August 3, 2007 | access-date=August 3, 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929122000/http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/08/03/jones_suspended_indefinitely.html | archive-date=September 29, 2007 | df=mdy-all }} Both players were suspended from the first three games of the season, were also required to perform community service and missed the first two days of practice in order to visit with a woman whose son was crippled by a drunk driver.{{cite news | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=2962285 | title=Melton, Kindle to miss first three games of season for DWI charges | agency=Associated Press | date=August 5, 2007 | access-date=August 6, 2007}}

In his junior season, Kindle started 11 of the 13 games he appeared in, playing linebacker, defensive end and on special teams. He posted 53 tackles, 10 sacks, 14 TFL, 15 pressures, two PBU, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. His performances helped the Longhorns defense rank first in the Big 12 and 18th nationally in terms of points per game and earned Kindle a 2008 All-American honorable mention by Sports Illustrated, as well as first-team All-Big 12 honors by the league's coaches, Austin American-Statesman, Kansas City Star and San Antonio Express-News and second-team All-Big 12 honors by Associated Press, Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Waco Tribune-Herald.

For the 2009 season, Kindle was moved to the defensive end position, replacing Brian Orakpo who was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the 2009 NFL draft. He was named to the watch lists for the Nagurski Trophy, Bednarik Award and Hendricks Award. During the regular season, Kindle compiled 47 tackles, 3 sacks, 17 TFLs, and 31 QB Hurries.

In the 2010 BCS National Championship Game versus Alabama, Kindle recorded 6 solo tackles and 2.5 sacks.{{Citation |url=https://www.espn.com/dallas/nfl/columns/story?columnist=watkins_calvin&id=4920694 |title=Texas-ex Sergio Kindle, other hopefuls begin transition to NFL at Michael Johnson's center |first=Calvin |last=Watkins |work=ESPNDallas.com |date=February 17, 2010 }}

In a poll conducted by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel among 17 NFL scouts, Kindle was voted first among 3–4 outside linebackers, capturing 11 first-place votes (comparing to four firsts for the second-placed Jerry Hughes).{{Citation |url=http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/91567684.html |title=Living in a world of change |first=Bob |last=McGinn |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel |date=April 19, 2010 }}

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File:Sergio kindle 121111 small.jpg in December 2011]]

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|quote = "Kindle is entering an ideal situation. He joins a talented, veteran-laden defense where expectations will be low, and he’ll have the chance to learn from players like Suggs and Lewis."

|source = Pro Football Weekly′s Mike Wilkening.{{Citation |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=pfw-20100423_kindle_a_solid_scheme_fit_for_ravens |title=Kindle a solid scheme fit for Ravens |date=April 23, 2010 |work=Pro Football Weekly |first=Mike |last=Wilkening }}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}}}

Although deemed a first-round talent by most analysts, many teams were scared off by Kindle's often-injured knee and his off-the-field incidents.{{Citation |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2010/04/24/texas-linebacker-kindle-a-perfect-raven/ |title=Texas linebacker Kindle 'a perfect Raven' |date=April 24, 2010 |first=Jamison |last=Hensley |newspaper=Baltimore Sun }} Kindle fell into the second round and was ultimately drafted 43rd overall by the Baltimore Ravens,{{Cite web |title=2010 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2010/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20110320154755/http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/History/All-Time_Draft_Choices.aspx All-Time Draft Choices]. Baltimore Ravens using one of the three picks the Ravens acquired by trading their first-round pick (25th overall) to the Denver Broncos (who selected Tim Tebow).[http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/13275408/ravens-trade-25th-overall-pick-to-denver-broncos "Ravens trade 25th overall pick to Denver Broncos," "The Associated Press", Thursday, April 22, 2010] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610065655/http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/13275408/ravens-trade-25th-overall-pick-to-denver-broncos |date=June 10, 2013 }}. Cbssports.com. Retrieved on May 9, 2016. Kindle said in a press conference shortly after the draft he was targeting the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2010. However, after the Ravens' minicamp, Kindle acknowledged: "When I said that, it was just an exciting moment for me, getting drafted. My head was in the clouds."{{Citation |last=Walker |first=James |title=Baltimore Ravens' minicamp pulls rookie Sergio Kindle back to earth |work=ESPN |date=May 8, 2010 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5173565 }}

On July 25, Kindle fell down two flights of stairs at a home in Austin, Texas. He was sent to the hospital in stable condition but was described as suffering head trauma. It was later determined he fractured his skull in the fall. As a result, Kindle was unable to attend the Ravens' training camp at McDaniel College.{{Cite news |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2010/07/baltimore-ravens-lb-sergio-kindle-to-miss-the-start-of-the-season/1 |title=Baltimore Ravens LB Sergio Kindle to miss all of training camp |first=Sean |last=Leahy |date=July 26, 2010 |newspaper=USA Today }}

On September 23, 2010, Kindle signed a one-year contract for $320,000, the rookie minimum, and was immediately placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list.{{Cite news |url=http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2010/09/23/ravens-reach-agreement-with-kindle/ |title=Ravens Reach Agreement With Kindle |first=Baltimore |last=Ravens |date=September 23, 2010 |newspaper=Baltimore Ravens |access-date=September 23, 2010 |archive-date=July 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721131217/http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2010/09/23/ravens-reach-agreement-with-kindle/ |url-status=dead }} Because Kindle did not sign until Week 3 of the 2010 season, Kindle received a prorated salary of $282,000. The contract included no signing bonus (by comparison, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, the player drafted just before Kindle, received a signing bonus of $1.76 million).[http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2010/09/23/ravens-reach-agreement-with-kindle/ Ravens Reach Agreement With Kindle « Baltimore Ravens Blogs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721131217/http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2010/09/23/ravens-reach-agreement-with-kindle/ |date=July 21, 2011 }}. Blogs.baltimoreravens.com (September 23, 2010). Retrieved on 2016-05-09.

Eighteen months after he was drafted, Kindle was activated for the first time in his career for the Ravens' Week 4 game against the New York Jets. He played primarily on special teams, but saw some time on defense towards the end of the game.[https://www.baltimoresun.com/2011/10/03/kindle-gets-active/ Kindle gets active – Baltimore Sun]. Articles.baltimoresun.com (October 3, 2011). Retrieved on 2016-05-09.

On October 20, 2012, the Ravens waived Kindle to make room for outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, who had spent the first six weeks on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. On October 22, 2012, Kindle was signed to the Ravens practice squad. On January 7, 2013, he was released from the team.[http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-sergio-kindle-on-practice-squad-status-being-frustrated-isnt-going-to-help-so-why-do-it-20121023,0,2831936.story Sergio Kindle on practice squad status: 'Being frustrated isn't going to help, so why do it?'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214143343/http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-sergio-kindle-on-practice-squad-status-being-frustrated-isnt-going-to-help-so-why-do-it-20121023,0,2831936.story |date=February 14, 2013 }} Aaron Wilson, Baltimore Sun Retrieved October 28, 2012. Though he'd been waived by the time the game was played, as a member of the team for part of the season he was awarded a Super Bowl ring when the Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII.

Kindle was born in Los Angeles and moved to Texas shortly after he was born. His father played semi-pro football in Dallas, Texas.

On July 28, 2007, at 2:35 am, Kindle was pulled over for failing to stay in a single-marked lane near downtown Austin, Texas. After failing a field sobriety test, Kindle was arrested and charged with a DWI.[https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=ncf&id=2953205 Texas LB Kindle arrested on DWI charge – College Football – ESPN]. Sports.espn.go.com (July 29, 2007). Retrieved on 2016-05-09. Kindle was 19 years old at the time. Although he was sentenced to three days in jail, he served no jail time.Woodhouse, Kellie (May 10, 2011) {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110514014950/http://www.explorehoward.com/news/84089/ravens-kindle-gets-no-jail-time-drunk-driving Ravens' Kindle gets no jail time for drunken driving. Howard County prosecutor decries sentence as too lenient after second offense]}}. explorehoward.com

On December 26, 2010, Kindle was arrested for drunk driving at 4:09 am in Howard County, Maryland. Testing revealed that he had a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.17 percent, which is more than twice the legal limit in Maryland of 0.08.[https://archive.today/20120721141857/http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-kindle-arrest-20101226,0,7215987.story Sergio Kindle Dui {{!}} Ravens rookie Kindle charged with DUI]. Baltimore Sun (December 27, 2010). Retrieved on 2016-05-09. He was released from custody after posting a bond of $10,000. Following his second arrest, Kindle spent five days at an alcohol abuse in-patient treatment facility. Judge Neil Edward Axel, Howard County's drug and DUI court supervisor, waived both the mandatory $1,000 fine and the mandatory five-day jail sentence.

On September 16, 2011, Kindle was sued in Davidson County (TN) Circuit Court by U.S. Bank for $130,000, over non-payment of loans from the bank's music and entertainment division, which is based in Nashville. It is reported that the bank planned to have Kindle served with a subpoena during the Ravens' trip that weekend to Nashville, to play the Tennessee Titans.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110917/NEWS03/309170011/-Ravens-linebacker-Sergio-Kindle-faces-subpoena-Nashville-visit {{dead link|date=May 2016}}

After football, Kindle worked a series of jobs including selling cars, managing warehouses and driving. In 2023 he returned to football as a high school football coach. He spent a season as the linebacker coach at Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas and then became the Defensive Coordinator at Hillcrest High School, also in Dallas.{{cite web |title=Sergio Kindle Experience |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergio-kindle-142a34130/details/experience/ |access-date=3 March 2025}}

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Commons category|Sergio Kindle}}

• [http://www.baltimoreravens.com/People/Players/Roster/Sergio_Kindle.aspx Baltimore Ravens bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925090546/http://www.baltimoreravens.com/People/Players/Roster/Sergio_Kindle.aspx |date=September 25, 2011 }}
• [http://www.texassports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3390 Texas Longhorns bio]

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Category:1987 births

Category:Living people

Category:Players of American football from Dallas

Category:Players of American football from Los Angeles

Category:American football linebackers

Category:Texas Longhorns football players

Category:Baltimore Ravens players

Category:Woodrow Wilson High School (Dallas) alumni