Tony Barker Anthony Ray Barker ( born September 7 , 1968 in Wichita , Kansas ) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League . He played college football at Rice University . High school career . Barker began attending Wichita Northwest High School in Wichita , Kansas in 1984 . While at Northwest , he participated in football , basketball , and shot put in track and field . However , he gave up basketball and track after his junior year . In High School he played Offensive Tackle and Defensive End . His senior year he was voted to the 1986 High School All - American football team , as an honorable mention player , as well as being voted 1st Team All - City as an offensive tackle , defensive end , and punter . Barker was voted to the " Wichita Eagle " ' s all - time Wichita High School Football team as a 1st team offensive tackle . Also on that team was former Detroit Lions Defensive end Lawrence Pete ( who went to South ) , Linebackers Mark ( Seattle Seahawks / Indianapolis Colts ) and Mike Bell ( Kansas City Chiefs ) ( Both went to Bishop Carroll ) , Pro - Football Hall of fame running back Barry Sanders ( North ) , and current Tennessee Titans Linebacker Kamerion Wimbley , who is ( like Barker ) a Northwest alumni . College career . Barker was highly recruited by multiple Division I programs . Barker ' s final selection came down to Kansas and Oklahoma State and with encouragment from his parents , he picked Kansas . He was recruited as a defensive end , but while watching film of another recruit , his coaches noticed his speed and decided to switch him to Linebacker . After the 1988 season , head coach Bob Valesente left and Glen Mason took over , because of the coaching change , Barker transferred to Rice after his sophomore season . By NCAA regulations he had to be redshirted his junior year . He missed the final game of his senior season due to a concussion . Despite the injury , he still drew attention from NFL scouts , following a stellar senior season , in which he was named to the 1991 All - Southwest Conference team . College honors . His honors at Rice include : Professional career . After the NFL combine , the Cincinnati Bengals and Oakland Raiders expressed interest in Barker . Ultimately he was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the 10th round ( 280th overall pick ) in the 1992 NFL draft . He signed a 1 - year contract worth $ 110 , 000 , the league minimum at the time , a common occurrence for late - round picks . Barker was released during the preseason , but was eventually resigned . As a rookie , he mainly played on special teams , but had two starts at outside linebacker against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Seattle Seahawks . After the season , Barker ' s contract expired and Joe Gibbs retired . Following Gibb ' s retirement , Richie Petitbon took over , and chose not to renew Barker ' s contract . Barker was , however , reunited with his coach at Kansas , Bob Valesente , when the Green Bay Packers signed him before their 1994 training camp , but he was released 2 days before the first pre - season game ( Valesente was a linebackers coach with Green Bay that season ) . Barker decided not continue his career , despite several offers from minor league teams and the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europa ( then , NFL Europe ) . Post - football career / Personal life . Barker currently resides in Texas . He works at Wells - Fargo as a Home Mortgage Consultant . He married his wife , Laura , in March 2005 . He has 2 children from a previous marriage and 2 step - children from his wife ' s previous marriage .