David Ponder
{{Short description|American gridiron football player (born 1962)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = David Ponder
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| number = 97
| position = Defensive tackle
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1962|6|27|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Washington, North Carolina
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 248
| high_school = Cairo (Cairo, Georgia)
| college = Florida State
| undraftedyear = 1984
| pastteams =
- Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|1985}})
- Los Angeles Raiders ({{NFL Year|1985}})
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|1986}})*
- Calgary Stampeders ({{CFL Year|1986}})
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 4
| pfr = PondDa20
}}
David Earl Ponder (born June 27, 1962) is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Florida State University.
Early years
Ponder attended Cairo High School in Cairo, Georgia. He received All-state honors as a senior. He accepted a football scholarship from Florida State University where he was a two-year starter at nose guard and defensive tackle for the Seminoles.
As a junior in 1982, he was moved from defensive tackle to nose guard to replace an injured Lennie Chavers.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19820907&id=m54cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OGgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6750,4078486&hl=es | title=Bowden Credits New 'Flex' Defense For Cincy Victory | accessdate=February 19, 2020}} 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. He played defensive tackle and was waived on August 27, 1984.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19840828&id=YjxWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xOkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4206,4302486&hl=es | title=Transactions | accessdate=February 19, 2020}}
In 1985, Ponder was re-signed and appeared in four games. On October 26, he was released to make room to activate defensive tackle Don Smerek.{{cite web| url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/247531084/ | title=Transactions | accessdate=February 19, 2020}}
=Los Angeles Raiders=
On November 21, 1985, he was signed by the Los Angeles Raiders.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19851122&id=uu4vAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hPsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2418,3150323&hl=es | title=Transactions | accessdate=February 19, 2020}} He was released two days later on November 23.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19851124&id=fbdQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3RMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2398,7680166&hl=es | title=Names in Sports | accessdate=February 19, 2020}}
=Buffalo Bills=
On May 6, 1986, he signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Bills to play nose guard.{{cite web| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/07/sports/transactions-070986.html | title=Transactions | accessdate=February 19, 2020}} He was cut on August 17.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2199&dat=19860818&id=hLgxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yeUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5101,5320980&hl=es | title=Transaction | accessdate=February 19, 2020}}
=Calgary Stampeders=
In 1986, he signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He was released on October 19.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19861020&id=1k1OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2BMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3240,5869563&hl=es | title=Transactions | accessdate=February 19, 2020}}
Personal life
His son Christian played quarterback for the Florida State Seminoles while in college and the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League.
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ponder, David}}
Category:Players of American football from Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:Canadian football defensive linemen
Category:Players of Canadian football from Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:Florida State Seminoles football players
Category:Dallas Cowboys players
Category:Los Angeles Raiders players