David Pollack David M . Pollack ( born June 19 , 1984 ) is a former American college and professional football linebacker who played for just over one season in the National Football League ( NFL ) , having suffered a career - ending injury in the second game of his second season . He played college football for the University of Georgia , was a three - time All - American , and was recognized as the top college defensive player in the nation . Pollack made 36 sacks during his collegiate career , third most in NCAA history . He was a first - round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft , and played professionally for the NFL ' s Cincinnati Bengals . Early years . Pollack was born in New Brunswick , New Jersey . He attended Shiloh High School in Snellville , Georgia , and was a star in football , basketball and wrestling . In football , as a senior , he was a Class 5A all - state selection and the Atlanta Touchdown Club named him the Defensive Lineman of the Year . College career . Pollack attended the University of Georgia , where he played for coach Mark Richt ' s Georgia Bulldogs football team from 2001 to 2004 and was a roommate of future NFL quarterback David Greene . For three consecutive seasons , he was recognized as a first - team All - Southeastern Conference ( SEC ) selection and a first - team All - American ( 2002 , 2003 , 2004 ) — twice as an NCAA consensus first - team honoree , having received the first - team selections of a majority of All - America selector organizations in 2002 and 2004 . He is only the second player in Bulldogs team history to earn first - team All - American honors in three seasons , following Heisman Trophy - winner Herschel Walker . In addition to his All - American accolades , Pollack received the following : His signature play came during the second game of the 2002 season . Pollack batted down a pass from South Carolina quarterback Corey Jenkins in the South Carolina end zone and managed to catch the ball in the end zone before it hit the ground ; Pollack was credited with a 0 - yard interception return for a touchdown . Pollack finished his college career with 36 sacks , a Georgia Bulldogs career record , and ranks third all - time in NCAA history . He graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor ' s degree in history . Professional career . Injury . In the Bengals ' September 17 , 2006 , game against in - state rival Cleveland Browns , Pollack suffered what was later determined to be a broken sixth cervical vertebrae on a first quarter tackle on running back Reuben Droughns . He reportedly suffered no paralysis , but was taken off the field on a stretcher and underwent surgery and was forced to wear a halo brace for three months . Pollack ' s injury was determined to be a possible career - ending one . However , on January 7 , 2007 , ESPN reported that Pollack would be able to resume his career as long as the rehabilitation process went as planned . On July 11 , 2007 , it was announced that Pollack would not play at all during the 2007 season as his recovery continued . On April 22 , 2008 Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis announced that Pollack was " not completely comfortable where he [ was ] medically " and that he would retire . Career after football . Pollack ' s new company , FanBan , manufactures sports banners that feature sports photographs and college football team logos . FanBan events have raised $ 4 , 321 for the YMCA scholarships that help underprivileged kids participate in YMCA programs as of February 10 , 2008 . On September 9 , 2008 , Pollack began a new career as an afternoon sports talk host on Atlanta ' s 790 " The Zone " . Also in 2008 , Pollack began studio work for CBS ' s college football coverage . He is also a college football analyst for ESPNU . In fall 2011 , he became part of ESPN ' s " College GameDay " and a host on the " Palmer and Pollack " show . In summer 2012 , it was announced that Pollack will join Rece Davis , Jesse Palmer , and Samantha Steele on ESPN ' s " Thursday Night Football " , replacing Craig James . Personal life . He is married to Lindsey Pollack . His family resides in Georgia . They have a child , Nicholas , born in August 2008 .