Former NFL tight end, “The Amazing Race” contestant Marcus Pollard, an Alabama native, to speak at Wallace State during Arts in April festivities
HANCEVILLE, ALA. – Former NFL tight end and “The Amazing Race” contestant Marcus Pollard is coming to Wallace State Community College as part of its annual Arts in April festivities.
Pollard, who played for four teams over 14 NFL seasons and is second in Indianapolis Colts history for receiving yards and touchdowns by a tight end, will visit campus on Tuesday, April 14 at 9:30 a.m. at the Burrow Center Recital Hall. Pollard is also recognized for competing on “The Amazing Race” with his wife, Amani, during the 19th season in 2011. Pollard plans to sign autographs at the conclusion of the event.
Wallace State’s Arts in April celebrates a multitude of events each year, including a wide range of guest speakers. Pollard, 43, plans to discuss the art of success and how he overcame adversity and obstacles his life, from growing up in a single-parent household in Chambers County to carving out a successful NFL career. That career included compiling 4,280 career receiving yards and 40 touchdowns after being signed as an undrafted free agent by the Colts.
Pollard, a Valley High graduate and former community college student, didn’t play a single snap of football until he debuted with the Colts in 1995. Pollard played basketball collegiately at Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., after transferring from Seward County Community College in Liberal, Kansas, where he also performed on the hardwood.
As has been a trend with tight ends in recent NFL history, the 6-foot-3, 255-pound Pollard switched from basketball to football after his college career was complete. He debuted with Indianapolis in 1995 and played 10 seasons with the Colts. Pollard’s best NFL season was in 2001 when he established career-highs with 47 catches for 739 yards and eight touchdowns, striking up a strong rapport with quarterback Peyton Manning. Pollard was a key member of the Colts’ back-to-back AFC South champion teams in 2003 and 2004, finishing his Indy career with 3,391 career receiving yards and 35 touchdowns.
After leaving Indianapolis, Pollard played two seasons for the Detroit Lions (2005-06), one year with the Seattle Seahawks (2007) and closed out his career with the Atlanta Falcons in 2008.
Pollard currently serves as the Jacksonville Jaguars Director of Player Development and Youth Football.
For more information about Wallace State and Arts in April events, visit wallacestate.edu.
###
______________________________
Russell Moore
Staff Writer
Wallace State Community College
P.O. Box 2000, Hanceville, AL 35077
1-866-350-9722 256-352-8443 direct
Visit us online at www.wallacestate.edu
Kristen Holmes
Communications & Marketing Director
Wallace State Community College
801 Main Street NW | Hanceville, AL 35077
E-mail: kristen.holmes@wallacestate.edu
Office: 256.352.8118 | Cell: 256.339.2519 | Toll Free: 866.350.9722
Be One of Us. Visit us online at www.wallacestate.edu.