Aaron Ross Schobel (/ˈʃbəl/; born September 1, 1977) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). Schobel played college football for the TCU Horned Frogs. He was selected by Buffalo in the second round (46th overall) of the 2001 NFL draft, and he played his entire nine-season career for the Bills.[1] Schobel is notable for recording more sacks of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady than any other NFL player.[2]

Aaron Schobel
refer to caption
Schobel with the Buffalo Bills in 2006
No. 94
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1977-09-01) September 1, 1977 (age 47)
Harris County, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:243 lb (110 kg)
Career information
High school:Columbus (Columbus, Texas)
College:TCU
NFL draft:2001 / round: 2 / pick: 46
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:483
Sacks:78.0
Forced fumbles:21
Fumble recoveries:8
Interceptions:3
Defensive touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Schobel attended Columbus High School. While there, he was a two-time All-District-22-3A selection, at both tight end and outside linebacker. As a senior, he had 105 tackles and during his final two years, he posted 70 receptions for 1,299 yards (18.55 yards per rec. avg.).

College career

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Aaron attended Texas Christian University, where he played for the TCU Horned Frogs football team from 1997 to 2000. He received first-team All-Western Athletic Conference (WAC) honors in 1999 and 2000, and was the WAC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2000.

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 4 in
(1.93 m)
263 lb
(119 kg)
4.75 s 4.03 s 7.16 s 38 in
(0.97 m)
9 ft 11 in
(3.02 m)
All values from NFL Combine.[3]

Schobel earned his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2006. His best season as a pro came in 2006 when he posted a career high 14 sacks. Since the 2001 season he ranks second in total sacks, only behind Jason Taylor.

Schobel, a first-team alternate for the 2007 Pro Bowl, was called upon to relieve an injured Jason Taylor in the Pro Bowl. This was his second consecutive year in the Pro Bowl.

He started in 116 consecutive games with the Bills from 2003[4] until 2008, when he was on the inactive list for a game against the San Diego Chargers due to an injured foot. After a team-leading, 10-sack 2009 season, Schobel informed the Bills that he was considering retirement. To add on, new coach Gailey said that he was looking to switch from a 4–3 to 3-4 defense.[5] It was reported by the Buffalo News on May 10, 2010, that Schobel & his wife June had sold their Orchard Park house, further adding to the speculation of his impending departure from the Bills. On July 27, 2010, Aaron Schobel announced he was 70/30 on returning to the Bills.[6]

On August 4, 2010, the Buffalo Bills released Aaron Schobel. He never signed with any other team; being released instead cemented his decision to retire, which he did on August 16.

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Bold Career high
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2001 BUF 16 11 42 31 11 6.5 7 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
2002 BUF 16 16 52 34 18 8.5 12 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 0
2003 BUF 16 16 60 37 23 11.5 15 1 6 0 6 3 1 1 0 0
2004 BUF 16 16 73 46 27 8.0 9 0 0 0 0 4 5 3 0 0
2005 BUF 16 16 71 54 17 12.0 14 1 0 0 0 5 2 1 0 0
2006 BUF 16 16 53 35 18 14.0 12 0 0 0 0 3 4 1 0 0
2007 BUF 16 16 57 45 12 6.5 7 0 0 0 0 5 5 1 0 0
2008 BUF 5 5 19 18 1 1.0 5 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
2009 BUF 16 16 56 34 22 10.0 17 1 26 1 26 4 3 1 0 0
133 128 483 334 149 78.0 98 3 32 1 26 31 21 8 0 0

Personal life

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Aaron is the older brother of former NFL tight end Matt Schobel and cousin of former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Bo Schobel. Schobel and his wife, June have two sons, Brock and John, and one daughter, Erika.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "2001 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  2. ^ "Reiss: Why Patriots should get after Schobel". August 4, 2010.
  3. ^ "Aaron Schobel Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  4. ^ "#94 Aaron Schobel - Buffalo Bills". Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2009.
  5. ^ "Aaron Schobel Stats".
  6. ^ Erie County Real Estate Transactions
  7. ^ "Buffalo Bills Bio". Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2009.
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