Trai Essex
Trai Jamar Essex (born December 5, 1982) is a former American football offensive guard who played eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts. Early years Essex grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana where he attended Paul Harding High School and lettered in football and basketball. In football, he was a standout tight end. He played in the first ever U.S. Army All-American Bowl (a high school football national all-star game) on December 30, 2000. In basketball, he was a member of the 2001 class 2A Indiana boys high school championship team. His 14 rebounds ties for 3rd best ever in the class 2A championship game. Essex was an All-Conference honoree as a junior. College years Essex attended Northwestern University, where he majored in African-American studies and was a letterman in football. He started every game as a true freshman at tight end, catching three passes for 24 yards and a touchdown. He was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team by The Sporting News magazine. He was moved from tight end to offensive tackle prior to his sophomore season and started 37 consecutive games at left tackle for the Wildcats in his final three seasons. He was named to ESPN's All-Bowl team following his performance in the 2003 Motor City Bowl. Professional career Essex was selected in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He signed a $1.385 million three-year contract which included a $460,000 signing bonus. After being held out of action through the first nine games of his rookie season, he started at left tackle in four games in place of an injured Marvel Smith. The Steelers' 2005 season ended with a victory in Super Bowl XL. Essex did not make a start in the next two seasons, though he did suit up for 18 games. After the 2007 season he signed a restricted free agent tender which bound him to the team through for just over $900,000. Essex's fifth career start came when he again subbed for Smith at left tackle in a playoff game on January 5, 2008, which was a narrow loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Essex showed promise in with strong performances in place of starting right guard Darnell Stapleton against the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings. Once again the team finished the season as Super Bowl champions, making Essex one of 21 players who were members of both of the Steelers' championship teams in the 2000s. Following the Steelers' victory in Super Bowl XLIII, Essex signed a $1.92 million, two-year contract with the team, which included a $500,000 signing bonus. Before re-signing with Pittsburgh he fielded offers from the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans but was persuaded to return to the Steelers when he received assurances from the team that he would be given the opportunity to win a starting spot. Essex started at right guard for the entire 2009 season. He picked up where he left off in