Kelvin Pritchett

Kelvin Pritchett (born October 24, 1969) is a former American football defensive tackle.

Pritchett was a first round selection by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1991 NFL Draft out of the University of Mississippi. However, Pritchett was traded to the Detroit Lions, who he played for, during 10 years and two stints with the team. He played for the Lions from 1991-1994 and again from 1999-2004. Pritchett played for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 1995-1998.

Early years

Pritchett attended Therrell High School, where in his last year recorded 100 tackles, 18 sacks and received All-State honors.

He accepted a scholarship from the University of Mississippi. In 1988, he became a starter after the fifth game of the season, registering 84 total tackles (second on the team), 56 solo tackles and 3 sacks. The next year he made 78 total tackles (fourth on the team), 64 solo tackles, 7 sacks (led the team), 2 passes deflected, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries.

As a senior he received third-team All-American honors, after starting at right defensive end, while finishing with 91 total tackles (fourth on the team), 47 solo tackles, 8 sacks (second on the team), 2 forced fumbles and 3 passes deflected.^[1]

In 2008, he was inducted into the Ole Miss Athletics Hall of Fame.^[2]

Professional career

Detroit Lions (first stint)

Pritchett was selected in the first round (20th overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, who traded him immediately to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a second round (#37-Dixon Edwards), third round (#64-James Richards) and fourth round (#108-Tony Hill) selections.^[3][4] He became a starter at right defensive end in his second year and registered a career-high 6.5 sacks.

In 1993, he started the last five regular season games at left defensive end in the team's 3-4 defense, recording 42 tackles (33 solo) and 4 sacks. The next year he finished second on the team with 5.5 sacks and a career-high 74 tackles. The next year he was moved back to right defensive end switching sides with Robert Porcher, recording 73 tackles (sixth on the team) and 5.5 sacks (second on the team).

Jacksonville Jaguars

Pritchett signed as free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars a four-year $8.6 million contract before the start of the franchise first season in 1995, with the intention of playing him at left defensive tackle.^[5] He finished with 101 tackles and 1.5 sacks. The next year he missed three games with a pulled groin.

In 1997, he started five games in place of John Jurkovic, who was lost for the year with a broken leg suffered on September 22. Pritchett tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a one-on-one drill on November 4, finishing the season on the injured reserve list.^[6] The next year he started 9 games after being limited with an hyperextended elbow and a sprained ankle.

Detroit Lions (second stint)

On April 22, 1999, he was signed as a free agent by the Detroit Lions.^[7] He became a key backup, registering 26 tackles (20 solo).

In 2004, although he was a third-string defensive tackle, he was also a part of the kickoff wedge team (Jared DeVries, Tyrone Hopson and Cory Schlesinger) that received a special teams recognition from USA Today's "All-Joe Team".^[8]

Personal life

In 2004, he intended to vote by absentee ballot until a friend forgot to pick it up for him, so he had to fly to Jacksonville (his previous residence address) to cast his ballot and return to Detroit on the same day.^[9]

Pritchett appeared twice (1994, 1995) as a guest in the Home Improvement TV series.

Nothing is mentioned of family, but he is known to have children.

References