Louis Nix
{{Short description|American football player (1991–2021)}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Louis Nix III
| image = Louis Nix 2014.JPG
| alt =
| caption = Nix with the Houston Texans in 2014
| number = 74, 92, 97
| position = Defensive tackle
| birth_date = {{birth date|1991|7|31}}
| birth_place = Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2021|2|27|1991|7|31}}
| death_place = Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lbs = 331
| high_school = William M. Raines
(Jacksonville, Florida)
| college = Notre Dame
| draftyear = 2014
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 83
| pastteams = * Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2014}})
- New York Giants ({{NFL Year|2015}})
- Washington Redskins ({{NFL Year|2016}})*
- Jacksonville Jaguars ({{NFL Year|2016}}–{{NFL Year|2017}})*
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 4
}}
Louis Anthony Nix III (July 31, 1991 – February 27, 2021) was an American professional football defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Nix was selected by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft.
Early life
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Nix attended William M. Raines High School, where he played football, basketball and competed in track & field. In high school football, he was an All-State defensive lineman. He recorded 50 tackles and 10 sacks as senior in 2009, and was named an all-First Coast pick as defensive lineman by the Florida Times-Union of Jacksonville. He tallied 19 combined sacks as a sophomore and junior in 2007 and 2008 helped Raines High School to 7–4 record and appearance in Florida state playoffs as sophomore in 2007. He also played basketball at William Raines. He was selected to play in the 2010 Under Armour All-America Game in St. Petersburg, Florida.{{Cite web |last=Wiltfong |first=Steve |date=November 5, 2009 |title=Team links: UA All-American Nix reaches potential |url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/news/story?id=4625971 |access-date=November 7, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}
Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Nix was ranked as the No. 7 defensive tackle of his class.{{Cite web |title=Louis Nix, 2010 Defensive Tackle, Notre Dame |url=https://rivals.com/content/athletes/louis-nix-19126?view=pv |access-date=November 10, 2023 |website=Rivals.com |language=en-US}} He accepted a scholarship offer from Notre Dame over offers from Miami (FL), Florida State and Florida.
College career
After not playing as a freshman in 2010, Nix started 11 games as a sophomore in 2011, recording 45 tackles. In 2012, Nix started 11 out of 13 games, recording 50 tackles, including seven and a half for a loss, and two sacks. On December 17, 2012, Nix announced that he would resume his college tenure for his senior season.{{Cite web |date=December 17, 2012 |title=It's official: Martin and Nix will return for 2013 |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/college-football/news/its-official-martin-and-nix-will-return-for-2013 |access-date=November 13, 2023 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2012 |title=Nix shows wisdom in returning to Notre Dame |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/college-football/news/nix-shows-wisdom-in-returning-to-notre-dame |access-date=November 13, 2023 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}
In 2013, Nix started the first 7 games of the season, before sitting out games against the Air Force and Navy as he was dealing with knee tendonitis. He returned the following week in a game against Pittsburgh. On November 21, 2013, after having arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee, it was announced that he would miss the remainder of the season plus the bowl game.{{Cite web |last=Fortuna |first=Matt |date=November 21, 2013 |title=Notre Dame loses nose guard Nix for season |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/10015079/louis-nix-notre-dame-fighting-irish-season-knee-surgery |access-date=November 13, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} He finished his senior season with 27 tackles, including two for loss.
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
On December 6, 2013, Nix signed with agents Todd France and Brian Ayrault.{{Cite news |last=Fortuna |first=Matt |date=December 7, 2013 |title=Reports: Notre Dame DL Nix hires agents |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2014/story/_/id/10093426/notre-dame-fighting-irish-dl-louis-nix-iii-hires-agents |access-date=February 25, 2024 |work=Chicago Tribune |language=en}}
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2+3/8
| weight = 331
| dash = 5.38
| ten split = 1.87
| twenty split = 3.07
| shuttle = 4.94
| cone drill = 8.01
| vertical = 25+1/2
| broad ft = 8
| broad in = 1
| bench = 24
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 33
| hand span = 9+7/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine except 40-yard dash, bench press and 3-cone drill from Pro Day{{Cite web |title=Louis Nix, III – DT – Kansas – 2014 Draft Scout/NCAA College Football |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=110891&DraftYear=2014 |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
=Houston Texans=
Nix was selected by the Houston Texans in the third round (83rd overall) of the 2014 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Sessler |first=Marc |date=May 9, 2014 |title=Houston Texans draft defensive tackle Louis Nix |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/houston-texans-draft-defensive-tackle-louis-nix-0ap2000000349120 |access-date=November 13, 2023 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}} On May 16, 2014, he was signed to a $2.85-million contract by the Texans, including a signing bonus of $575,252.{{Cite web |last=McClain |first=John |last2=AM |first2=2014 at 9:57 |date=May 16, 2014 |title=Texans lock up two more picks, three remain unsigned |url=https://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2014/05/texans-lock-up-two-more-picks-three-remain-unsigned/ |access-date=November 13, 2023 |website=Houston Chronicle |language=en-US}} Nix underwent a second knee surgery during the off-season and missed workouts as well as most of training camp. His rookie season prematurely ended after he underwent a third knee surgery on September 24, 2014. He was unable to play any games during his time with Houston. Nix was released by the Texans on September 4, 2015.
=New York Giants=
On September 6, 2015, Nix was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants.{{Cite web |last=Salomone |first=Dan |date=September 6, 2015 |title=Giants awarded DT Louis Nix & CB Asa Jackson off waivers |url=http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Giants-awarded-DT-Louis-Nix--CB-Asa-Jackson-off-waivers/4b0dd2d1-5426-4512-9ffc-c98402baae2f |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907225419/http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Giants-awarded-DT-Louis-Nix--CB-Asa-Jackson-off-waivers/4b0dd2d1-5426-4512-9ffc-c98402baae2f |archive-date=September 7, 2015 |access-date=September 7, 2015 |website=Giants.com}} On September 8, 2015, he failed his physical and was waived.{{Cite web |last=Sinclair, Valentine |first=Alex, Ed |date=September 8, 2015 |title=Giants' roster moves: Japser Brinkley signed, Asa Jackson waived, Louis Nix flunks physical |url=http://www.bigblueview.com/2015/9/8/9279629/jasper-brinkley-signing-giants-ink-veteran-middle-linebacker |access-date=September 8, 2015 |website=BigBlueView.com}} On September 9, 2015, Nix was re-signed by the Giants.{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Michael |date=September 9, 2015 |title=Dwayne Harris switches sides in Giants-Cowboys rivalry |url=http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Dwayne-Harris-switches-sides-in-Giants-Cowboys-rivalry/22534bd4-0dc9-4bc1-9c84-2ea5f568e714 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911195717/http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Dwayne-Harris-switches-sides-in-Giants-Cowboys-rivalry/22534bd4-0dc9-4bc1-9c84-2ea5f568e714 |archive-date=September 11, 2015 |access-date=September 10, 2015 |website=Giants.com}} He was waived again on November 7, 2015.{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=November 7, 2015 |title=Giants activate Jason Pierre-Paul |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000574686/article/giants-activate-jason-pierrepaul |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109200755/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000574686/article/giants-activate-jason-pierrepaul |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 9, 2015 |access-date=November 7, 2015 |website=NFL.com}} On November 10, 2015, he was re-signed to the Giants' practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Michael |date=November 10, 2015 |title=Giants add DT Montori Hughes to active roster; Johnathan Hankins to IR |url=http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Giants-add-DT-Montori-Hughes-to-active-roster-Johnathan-Hankins-to-IR/88290d1d-ed63-4a2d-a77b-0026e2b04fd0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209124114/http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Giants-add-DT-Montori-Hughes-to-active-roster-Johnathan-Hankins-to-IR/88290d1d-ed63-4a2d-a77b-0026e2b04fd0 |archive-date=December 9, 2015 |access-date=December 10, 2015 |website=Giants.com}} On January 6, 2016, Nix signed a reserve/future contract with the Giants.{{Cite web |last=Raanan |first=Jordan |date=January 6, 2016 |title=Giants sign defensive tackle Louis Nix to reserve/future contract. |url=http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2016/01/giants_sign_defensive_tackle_louis_nix_to_reservef.html |access-date=January 26, 2016 |website=NJ.com}} On September 3, 2016, he was released by the Giants.{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Michael |date=September 3, 2016 |title=New York Giants announce 20 roster moves |url=http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/New-York-Giants-announce-20-roster-moves/d7b93d76-3186-40dc-b759-c622015e0159 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825063500/http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/New-York-Giants-announce-20-roster-moves/d7b93d76-3186-40dc-b759-c622015e0159 |archive-date=August 25, 2017 |website=Giants.com}}
=Washington Redskins=
The Washington Redskins signed Nix to their practice squad on September 5, 2016.{{Cite web |last=Czarda |first=Stephen |date=September 5, 2016 |title=Redskins Add Wes Saxton, Louis Nix III To Practice Squad |url=http://www.redskins.com/news/article-1/Redskins-Add-Wes-Saxton-Louis-Nix-III-To-Practice-Squad/6e8b7945-86e3-4dd7-9319-3b3224277625 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510141458/http://www.redskins.com/news/article-1/Redskins-Add-Wes-Saxton-Louis-Nix-III-To-Practice-Squad/6e8b7945-86e3-4dd7-9319-3b3224277625 |archive-date=May 10, 2017 |access-date=September 5, 2016 |website=Redskins.com}} On September 19, 2016, he was released from the practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Czarda |first=Stephen |title=Kedric Golston Placed On Injured Reserve, Matt Ioannidis On Active Roster |url=http://www.redskins.com/news/article-1/Kedric-Golston-Placed-On-Injured-Reserve-Matt-Ioannidis-On-Active-Roster/1113255d-e6c2-4514-bd73-eb73b5842d6c |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920132401/http://www.redskins.com/news/article-1/Kedric-Golston-Placed-On-Injured-Reserve-Matt-Ioannidis-On-Active-Roster/1113255d-e6c2-4514-bd73-eb73b5842d6c |archive-date=September 20, 2016 |access-date=September 20, 2016 |website=Redskins.com}}
=Jacksonville Jaguars=
Nix was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad on October 25, 2016.{{Cite web |last=Bouda |first=Nate |date=October 25, 2016 |title=Jaguars Place DT Roy Miller On I.R. & Sign DT Louis Nix To Practice Squad |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/jaguars-dt-roy-miller-lose-dt-roy-miller-achilles-injury/ |access-date=November 13, 2023 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the Jaguars on January 4, 2017.{{Cite web |last=Bouda |first=Nate |date=January 4, 2017 |title=Jaguars Sign DT Louis Nix To Futures Deal |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/jaguars-sign-dt-louis-nix-futures-deal/ |access-date=November 13, 2023 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US}} On May 15, 2017, he was released by the Jaguars.{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=May 15, 2017 |title=Jaguars sign two, cut Louis Nix and Akeem Davis |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/jaguars-sign-two-cut-louis-nix-and-akeem-davis |access-date=November 13, 2023 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}
Personal life
Nix called himself "Irish Chocolate."{{Cite web |last=Reilly |first=Rick |author-link=Rick Reilly |date=December 27, 2012 |title=Rick Reilly: Notre Dame's Louis Nix is many things |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/8783831/notre-dame-louis-nix-larger-life |access-date=November 13, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{cite web | title=Nix brings larger-than-life personality to Irish | website=Chicago Tribune | date=2012-10-04 | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/10/04/nix-brings-larger-than-life-personality-to-irish/ | access-date=2024-12-29}}
On December 8, 2020, Nix was shot during an armed robbery at a Jacksonville gas station while he was putting air in his car tires. He survived the incident.{{cite web | last=Hansen | first=Eric | title=Notre Dame football: Louis Nix III survived bullet, eager for Alabama | website=IndyStar | date=2020-12-22 | url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/notre-dame/2020/12/22/notre-dame-football-louis-nix-iii-survived-bullet-eager-alabama/4012243001/ | access-date=2024-12-30}}
Death
Nix was reported missing on February 24, 2021. His car was found in a pond near his apartment in Jacksonville, and he was subsequently found dead on February 27, three days after being reported missing.{{Cite news |last=Stepien |first=Garrett |date=February 27, 2021 |title=Report: Former Notre Dame DL Louis Nix has died, mother says |url=https://247sports.com/Article/Louis-Nix-dead-Notre-Dame-Fighting-Irish-football-Houston-Texans-defensive-lineman-missing-161611583/ |access-date=February 27, 2021 |work=247Sports.com}}{{Cite news |last=Williams |first=Charean |date=February 27, 2021 |title=Louis Nix III, 29, found dead after being reported missing |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/02/27/louis-nix-iii-29-found-dead-after-being-reported-missing/ |access-date=February 27, 2021 |work=Profootballtalk.com |publisher=NBC Sports}} The cause of death subsequently ruled to be drowning by the medical examiner. Alcohol was found in his system.{{Cite web |date=April 6, 2021 |title=Medical examiner rules that ex-Giant Louis Nix died of drowning |url=https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/medical-examiner-alcohol-drugs-louis-nix-body-pond-death-florida-jacksonville/77-809dbc27-251b-43b3-9932-834db4db74aa |access-date=April 8, 2021 |website=www.firstcoastnews.com}}
See also
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Instagram}}
- {{Twitter}}
- [http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/nixiii_louis00.html Notre Dame Fighting Irish bio]
- [https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/8783831/notre-dame-louis-nix-larger-life Notre Dame's big advantage: Notre Dame's Louis Nix is larger than life]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20121006153055/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-10-04/sports/ct-spt-1005-notre-dame-football--20121005_1_irish-chocolate-comfort-zone-louis-nix Nix brings larger-than-life personality to Irish: Nose guard/YouTube star finally finding his comfort zone in South Bend]
{{Texans2014DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nix, Louis}}
Category:2020s missing person cases
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:American shooting survivors
Category:Deaths by drowning in Florida
Category:Formerly missing American people
Category:Houston Texans players
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:Jacksonville Jaguars players
Category:Missing person cases in Florida
Category:New York Giants players
Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players
Category:Players of American football from Jacksonville, Florida
Category:Under Armour All-American football players