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Dante Fowler

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Dante Fowler
refer to caption
Fowler with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021
No. 6 – Washington Commanders
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1994-08-03) August 3, 1994 (age 30)
St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:261 lb (118 kg)
Career information
High school:Lakewood (St. Petersburg)
College:Florida (2012–2014)
NFL draft:2015 / round: 1 / pick: 3
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 13, 2024
Tackles:270
Sacks:53.5
Pass deflections:20
Interceptions:1
Forced fumbles:14
Fumble recoveries:5
Touchdowns:3
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Dante Antwane Fowler Jr. (born August 3, 1994) is an American professional football defensive end for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators and was selected third overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2015 NFL draft. Fowler missed his entire rookie season after sustaining an ACL tear. He has also played for the Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons, and Dallas Cowboys.

Early life

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Fowler attended Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he was a two-sport star in football and track. Fowler was named an honorable mention to the Sports Illustrated All-American football team following his senior season, and was selected to the 2012 Under Armour All-America Game.[1]

In track, Fowler competed as a shot putter, recording a top throw of 14.32 meters (47 ft).[2]

College career

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Fowler accepted a football scholarship from the University of Florida. As a freshman in 2012, Fowler moved to the outside linebacker position. Fowler played in all 13 games and started his first game against Missouri. He recorded 30 tackles, including eight for loss, and 2.5 sacks. He was named to numerous freshman all-American teams.

As a sophomore in 2013, Fowler started all 13 games for the Gators and was named a team captain for the two final games of the season. He recorded 50 tackles, including 10.5 for loss, and 3.5 sacks.

As a junior in 2014, he slimmed down from 277 to 261 pounds, in an effort to be a more explosive edge player for the Gators.[3][4] He recorded 60 tackles, including 15 for loss, 8.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles, and was named a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection by the conference's coaches.[5] In his final game, the 2015 Birmingham Bowl vs East Carolina, he recorded three sacks helping the Gators to the 28–20 victory.[6]

On November 19, 2014, Fowler tweeted that he would leave the school with Will Muschamp, who announced he would step down as head coach. Fowler made his intentions to forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2015 NFL draft.[7]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+5⁄8 in
(1.90 m) 		261 lb
(118 kg) 		33+3⁄4 in
(0.86 m) 		9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		 4.60 s 1.59 s 2.69 s 4.32 s 7.40 s 32.5 in
(0.83 m)		 9 ft 4 in
(2.84 m)		 19 reps
All values from NFL Combine[8][9]

Jacksonville Jaguars

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Fowler was selected third overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2015 NFL Draft.[10][11] On May 8, 2015, Fowler tore his ACL on the first day of mini-camp and missed the entirety of his rookie season.[12][13] On May 12, four days after tearing his ACL, Fowler signed a fully guaranteed four-year, $23.5 million contract, with a $15.3 million signing bonus.[14]

After missing his entire rookie year due to his ACL injury, Fowler made his NFL debut on September 11, 2016, in the game against the Green Bay Packers, where he made three tackles (one for a loss) as the Jaguars lost the game 27–23.[15] Fowler ended his first official season playing in all 16 games with one start, recording 32 tackles, 4 sacks, and five passes defensed.

On September 10, 2017, in the 29–7 season-opening road victory over the Houston Texans, Fowler had a stellar game. He had a 53-yard fumble return for a touchdown near the end of the first half. The touchdown was the first of his NFL career. Late in the third quarter, Fowler forced a fumble off of quarterback Deshaun Watson, which was recovered by teammate Yannick Ngakoue.[16][17] The Jaguars finished atop the AFC South with a 10–6 record. In the playoffs, Fowler recorded five tackles, two sacks, and a pass deflection before the Jaguars were defeated 24–20 by the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.

On May 2, 2018, the Jaguars declined the fifth-year option on Fowler's contract.[18] On July 20, 2018, he was suspended for one game due to violating the league's personal conduct policy.[19] In December 2019, the NFLPA revealed that it had won a grievance filed on Fowler's behalf alleging that the Jaguars had improperly fined Fowler over $700,000 for not attending rehab and medical appointments in Jacksonville during the 2018 offseason. Under the collective bargaining agreement, these appointments should have been voluntary. This incident reportedly led to the firing of Jaguars football operations chief Tom Coughlin.[20]

Los Angeles Rams

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Fowler after Super Bowl LIII with the Rams

On October 30, 2018, Fowler was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a compensatory third-round selection (Quincy Williams) in the 2019 NFL draft and a fifth-round selection in the 2020 NFL draft, which ended up being used to select Collin Johnson.[21] Due to a change to the 3–4 defense, Fowler moved to right outside linebacker with the Rams. In 8 games of 2018, Fowler finished with 21 tackles, 2 sacks, a pass defended, and a forced fumble. In the playoffs, the Rams defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round and Fowler recorded 2 tackles and a sack. In the NFC Championship Game against the New Orleans Saints, Fowler recorded 5 tackles and 0.5 sacks in a 26–23 overtime victory to advance to Super Bowl LIII and Fowler made a huge play in overtime when he hit Drew Brees to set up an interception by John Johnson III. The Rams played the Patriots in the Super Bowl but lost 13–3. Fowler recorded 4 tackles in the loss.

On March 11, 2019, Fowler signed a one-year, $14 million contract extension with the Rams.[22] In the season-opener against the Carolina Panthers, Fowler sacked Cam Newton twice as the Rams won on the road by a score of 30–27.[23] During Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons, he sacked Matt Ryan thrice in the 37–10 road victory.[24] Three weeks later against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Fowler recovered a fumbled snap by center Maurkice Pouncey and returned it for a 26 yard touchdown in the 17–12 road loss.[25] During Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers, he sacked Jimmy Garoppolo 2.5 times during a 34–31 road loss.[26]

Atlanta Falcons

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On March 25, 2020, Fowler signed a three-year, $48 million contract with the Falcons.[27] He reunited with head coach Dan Quinn, who was his defensive coordinator at the University of Florida. He started in 14 games at right defensive end, recording 22 tackles (4 for loss), 3 sacks and eight quarterback pressures. He had 2 tackles and 3 quarterback pressures against the Carolina Panthers. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on November 14, 2020,[28] and activated on November 25.[29]

In 2021, the team changed to a 3–4 defense and Fowler was switched to right outside linebacker. He was passed on the depth chart by rookie Adetokunbo Ogundeji. He appeared in 14 games with six starts, registering 36 tackles (6 for loss), 4.5 sacks (led the team), 8 quarterback pressures and a career-best three forced fumbles. On October 22, 2021, Fowler was placed on injured reserve (IR) with a knee injury.[30] On November 14, 2021, Fowler was activated from IR in time to be active for week 10 game versus the Cowboys.[31] He had a career-high three tackles for loss, one sack and one quarterback pressure against the Carolina Panthers.

He was released on February 16, 2022.[32]

Dallas Cowboys

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On March 18, 2022, Fowler signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys.[33] He reunited with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who was his head coach with the Atlanta Falcons. He appeared in all 17 games as a pass rushing specialist at defensive end, collecting 20 tackles (3 for loss), 6 sacks and 29 quarterback pressures. He had one tackle, one sack, 2 quarterback pressures, one pass breakup and one force fumble against the Cincinnati Bengals. He made 4 tackles (one for loss), one sack and 3 quarterback pressures against the Chicago Bears.

He signed another one-year contract with the team on March 21, 2023.[34] He remained as a backup rotational player at defensive end, appearing in all 17 games, posting 13 tackles (5 for loss), 4 sacks and 7 quarterback pressures.

Washington Commanders

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On March 15, 2024, Fowler signed a one-year contract with the Washington Commanders.[35] He reunited with head coach Dan Quinn, who was his defensive coordinator with the Cowboys, with the intention of helping to replace the production of defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young. In Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers, he recorded his first career interception, returning it 67 yards for a touchdown.[36] In Week 9 against the New York Giants, he posted 6 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 quarterback pressures and one forced fumble.

NFL career statistics

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Regular season

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Regular season statistics
Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck FF FR Yds TD Int Yds TD PD
2015 JAX 0 Injured
2016 JAX 16 1 32 23 9 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
2017 JAX 16 0 21 18 3 8 2 2 53 1 0 0 0 0
2018 JAX 7 0 9 8 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
LAR 8 6 21 15 6 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
2019 LAR 16 14 58 40 18 11.5 2 1 26 1 0 0 0 6
2020 ATL 14 13 23 12 11 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
2021 ATL 14 6 36 21 15 4.5 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
2022 DAL 17 0 27 22 5 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
2023 DAL 9 0 7 6 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
2024 WAS 11 4 25 16 9 8.5 0 0 0 0 1 67 1 1
Career 128 44 259 181 78 51.5 13 5 79 2 1 67 1 20

Postseason

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Postseason statistics
Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck FF FR Yds TD Int Yds TD PD
2017 JAX 3 0 5 5 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
2018 LAR 3 3 12 8 4 1.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022 DAL 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 6 3 18 14 4 3.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

Personal life

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On July 18, 2017, Fowler was arrested in St. Petersburg, Florida for simple battery and committing mischief. Fowler confronted a man who commented about his driving, struck the man, broke his glasses, and threw a bag containing liquor into a lake. He was released from jail the next day on a $650 bond.[37]

On March 1, 2018, Fowler pleaded no contest to battery, criminal mischief, and petty theft. He was fined $2,575, received a year of probation, and was ordered to undergo 75 hours of community service.[38] His younger brother, Donterio Fowler, was arrested in July 2021 in connection to a 2016 murder of a Florida International University student.[39]

References

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  1. ^ Cotey, John C. (January 3, 2012). "Dante Fowler Jr. hopes to find redemption in Under Armour game". TampaBay.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  2. ^ "FHSAA 2A District 10 - Results (Raw)". flrunners.com. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  3. ^ Simonton, Jesse (September 8, 2014). "Leaner Dante Fowler Jr. hopes to feast on UF Gators' opposing quarterbacks". Miami Herald. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  4. ^ McPherson, Jordan (September 10, 2014). "UF's Dante Fowler Jr. embraces role as defensive leader". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  5. ^ Andreu, Robbie (December 9, 2014). "Fowler on coaches' All-SEC team". Gainesville Sun. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  6. ^ "Dante Fowler leads Florida to Birmingham Bowl win over ECU". NFL.com. January 3, 2015. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  7. ^ Goodbread, Chase (November 18, 2014). "Dante Fowler tweets he's leaving Florida with Will Muschamp". NFL.com. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  8. ^ "Dante Fowler Jr. Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  9. ^ "Dante Fowler College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  10. ^ Thompson, Edgar (April 30, 2015). "Jaguars select Gators' Dante Fowler Jr. with No. 3 pick in NFL draft". The Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  11. ^ Long, Mark (April 30, 2015). "Jaguars select stylish, productive Fowler with 3rd pick". Kansas City Star. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  12. ^ Payne, Marissa (May 8, 2015). "Jaguars first-round pick Dante Fowler reportedly out for season after injuring knee". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  13. ^ Wilhalme, Matt (May 8, 2015). "Video: Jaguars first-rounder Dante Fowler Jr. tears ACL in practice". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  14. ^ DiRocco, Mike (May 12, 2015). "Dante Fowler Jr. signs 4-year, $23.5 million deal with Jags, sources say". ESPN.com. Associated Press. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  15. ^ Sweatt, Dara (September 12, 2016). "Dante Fowler Jr. plays first NFL game". WRUF. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  16. ^ "Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans - September 10th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
  17. ^ "Dante Fowler Career Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  18. ^ Patra, Kevin (May 2, 2018). "Jags decline to pick up Dante Fowler's fifth-year option". NFL.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  19. ^ Sessler, Marc (July 20, 2018). "Dante Fowler suspended one game for 2017 incident". NFL.com. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  20. ^ DiRocco, Michael (December 19, 2019). "Jaguars fire Tom Coughlin just days after NFLPA's warning to players". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  21. ^ Simmons, Myles (October 30, 2018). "Rams Acquire Edge Rusher Dante Fowler". TheRams.com. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  22. ^ Gordon, Grant (March 11, 2019). "Dante Fowler heading back to L.A., re-signs with Rams". NFL.com. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  23. ^ "Goff, Gurley lead Rams to 30-27 win over Panthers". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 8, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  24. ^ "Rams snap skid by beating Falcons 37-10 as Ryan hurts ankle". ESPN.com. October 20, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  25. ^ "Steelers defense leads way in 17-12 win over Rams". ESPN.com. November 10, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  26. ^ "49ers eliminate Rams from playoff contention with 34-31 win". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  27. ^ McFadden, Will (March 24, 2020). "Falcons agree to terms with pass rusher Dante Fowler". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  28. ^ Tabeek, Matthew (November 14, 2020). "Falcons place defensive end Dante Fowler on reserve/COVID-19 list". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  29. ^ McFadden, Will (November 25, 2020). "Falcons activate Dante Fowler from reserve/COVID-19 list". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  30. ^ Bair, Scott (October 22, 2021). "What Dante Fowler heading to injured reserve means for Falcons defense". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  31. ^ "Falcons activate OLB Fowler, place Means on injured reserve". AP News. November 13, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  32. ^ McElhaney, Tori (February 16, 2022). "Falcons release Dante Fowler after two seasons in Atlanta". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  33. ^ Eatman, Nick (March 18, 2022). "Dante Fowler Jr. Agrees To Deal With Cowboys". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  34. ^ Walker, Patrik (March 21, 2023). "Free Agency: Fowler Agrees to Terms with Cowboys". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  35. ^ "Commanders sign DE Dante Fowler Jr". Commanders.com. March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  36. ^ Selby, Zach (October 20, 2024). "Five takeaways from Washington's win over Carolina". Commanders. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  37. ^ "Dante Fowler Jr. arrested on charges of simple battery, mischief". ESPN.com. July 19, 2017. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  38. ^ Knoblauch, Austin (March 1, 2018). "Dante Fowler sentenced to probation in battery case". NFL.com. Archived from the original on March 2, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  39. ^ Borge, Vanessa (July 27, 2021). "2 arrested in 2016 murder of FIU student". WSVN. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
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