Jason Ferguson Jason O . Ferguson ( born November 28 , 1974 ) is a former American football defensive tackle who played thirteen seasons in the National Football League , for the New York Jets — who originally selected in the seventh round of the 1997 NFL Draft — , Dallas Cowboys , and Miami Dolphins . A native of Nettleton , Mississippi , he played college football at Georgia . Early years . Ferguson attended Nettleton High School , and earned varsity letters in football , as a center on the basketball team , and in track and field . In football , he was a two - time All - South honoree and a three - time All - District honoree . College career . Ferguson played college football at Itawamba Community College for two years and was a two - time All - Area and an All - State honoree . In 1994 , he also earned Junior College All - American status , after recording 88 tackles and 2 . 5 sacks . Ferguson originally intended to go Ole Miss from Itawamba , but switched to Georgia in the final 72 hours before 1995 National Signing Day . Playing for the Georgia Bulldogs in 1995 and 1996 , he lined up next to Jermaine Smith in Georgia ' s defensive front . In a memorable game against Auburn , Ferguson sacked quarterback Dameyune Craig on fourth - and - 3 in the fourth overtime , sealing Georgia ' s 56 - 49 win . Professional career . New York Jets . Falling to the seventh round of the 1997 NFL Draft , Ferguson was selected 229th overall by Bill Parcells ' New York Jets . The Jets were the only club to invite him for a visit before the draft , because most teams apparently dissuaded from considering him after he was tested positive for marijuana at the pre - draft combine , reportedly being the only player to do so . Seventeen defensive tackles were taken ahead of him , including Darrell Russell and Renaldo Wynn in the first round . Parcells originally expressed reluctance to pick Ferguson at all , but trusted Georgia ' s head coach , Jim Donnan . Ferguson was signed to a two - year deal by the Jets only few days after the draft . In his first season with the Jets , Ferguson shared time with veteran Ernie Logan at nose tackle , before replacing him as starter at the beginning of the 1998 NFL season . In 1999 , Ferguson was suspended for four games after testing positive for steroids . After earning a $ 12 million contract during the 2000 – 2001 offseason , Ferguson tore his right rotator cuff during the first practice and missed all of the 2001 NFL season . He returned to the field to following season and played all games in 2002 , 2003 and 2004 . Dallas Cowboys . A highly coveted free - agent in 2005 , coming off a very strong 2004 season in which he totaled 59 tackles and 3½ sacks , Ferguson left the Jets for the Dallas Cowboys , rejoining Bill Parcells who had become their head coach in 2003 . Ferguson was signed to a five - year , $ 21 . 5 million contract that included a $ 9 million signing bonus . A replacement for La ' Roi Glover most of the season , Ferguson started three games in 2005 . After Glover left for the Rams in 2006 , Ferguson took over as full - time starter . Following a season - ending biceps injury in the Cowboys ' victory over the New York Giants in Week 1 of the 2007 season , Ferguson lost his starting job to Jay Ratliff . That following off - season he was traded to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a sixth round draft pick in the 2009 NFL Draft . The teams also swapped their 2008 sixth - rounders , with the Cowboys moving up from the bottom third to the top of that round . Miami Dolphins . Rejoining Bill Parcells on a third team , Ferguson became the Dolphins ' starting nose tackle in 2008 . He has since appeared in all games and , as of November 2009 , compiled 55 tackles ( 33 solo ) . In 2008 , the Dolphins ' opponents averaged only 101 . 3 rushing yards per game , and 4 . 2 yards per carry . In a game against the Carolina Panthers on November 19 , Ferguson suffered right knee injury that caused him to miss the rest of the 2009 NFL season . Considering his age and that fact that he is playing on the last year of his contract , it was believed that this injury would end his 13 - year tenure as an NFL player because he planned to either re - sign with the Dolphins , or retire . On March 6 , 2010 , Ferguson was suspended for the first eight games of the 2010 NFL season . He was penalized for taking steroids , the second time he failed the NFL drug test . Three days later , he re - signed with the Dolphins . However , on July 15 , 2010 , Ferguson announced his retirement from the NFL .