Dave Ahrens
American football player (born 1958)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dave Ahrens (born December 5, 1958) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL).[1] The Cedar Falls, Iowa native played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers.
Cedar Falls, Iowa, U.S.
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| Position | Linebacker | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born | December 5, 1958 Cedar Falls, Iowa, U.S. | ||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||
| Listed weight | 238 lb (108 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school | Oregon (Oregon, Wisconsin) | ||||||||
| College | Wisconsin | ||||||||
| NFL draft | 1981: 6th round, 143rd overall pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Early life
Ahrens played high school at Oregon High School in Oregon, Wisconsin, where he played fullback and linebacker and was named All-State by the Associated Press his senior year.[2] Ahrens started out at the University of Wisconsin–Madison playing fullback but switched to linebacker and was captain[3] and Team MVP of the 1980 Badgers team.[4]
Professional career
St. Louis Cardinals
Ahrens was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth round (143rd overall) of the 1981 NFL draft.[5] He recorded his only interception his rookie year, which was returned for a touchdown.[6] Ahrens played in all the games and started ten his rookie season, but his playing time diminished and after four years he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts[7] for a tenth-round pick in the 1986 NFL draft.[8]
Indianapolis Colts
Ahrens was traded to the Indianapolis Colts before the 1985 season. He did not start a single game in 1985 but had arguably his best NFL season in 1986, starting ten games,[9] and registering two quarterback sacks,[10] one of them helping the Colts secure their first win of the year late in the season against the Atlanta Falcons.[11]
Detroit Lions
Ahrens spent 1988 with the Detroit Lions but only played in half the games and was left unprotected.[12]
Miami Dolphins
Ahrens was signed by the Miami Dolphins before 1989[13] and recorded one sack with the team. Due to salary concerns, the Dolphins released him but he did sign a Plan B contract.[14]
Seattle Seahawks
Ahrens signed with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency before the 1990 season.[15] He was cut during final cuts[16] only to be re-signed by the team. Ahrens was placed on injured reserve following a broken leg against the Denver Broncos late in the season.[17]