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LB BRADY POPPINGA #51 6' 3" • 245 lbs. • Brigham Young Exp: 4th NFL Season, 4th Packers Season Age: 28 Acquired: Draft 2005 (4b) Current Status: Active Roster   Last name is pronounced puh-PING-ah Returned to practice less than eight full months after a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee and started the 2006 season opener, one day less than nine full months after the injury Has recorded two of his three career sacks in the Metrodome, against Minnesota quarterbacks Brad Johnson (Nov. 12, 2006) and Daunte Culpepper (Oct. 23, 2005) Before missing the last three games of his rookie season with a knee injury, was on pace to match Guy Prather's 1981 franchise record of 27 special teams tackles Transferred to linebacker his senior season at BYU, after playing the previous three years at defensive end Spent two years on a mission in Uruguay before entering BYU; recalls the trip as the most difficult and most rewarding experience of his life Comes from a very athletic family. Father, Dennis, played tight end at BYU from 1968-1971; brother, Casey, played tight end at Utah State; brother, Kelly, is a linebacker at BYU; and older sister, Tara, played volleyball at Utah State Son is named Julius Maximus Poppinga, a name inspired by his favorite movie, Gladiator Pro Summary Ultra-intense and enthusiastic, third-year linebacker looks to hold down his starting job on the strong side and continue his steady special teams contributions Made an astonishingly fast recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, sustained in December 2005, and was back on the practice field in training camp in August 2006, able to play in the final two preseason games and start the season opener on Sept. 10, one day less than nine months from the injury date The speedy recovery was attributed to his undying work ethic and intensity during rehabilitation, which only furthered his love for the game Despite the serious injury, has played in 28 of a possible 32 games in his career, amassing 86 total tackles (57 solo), three sacks, one interception, five passes defensed, two forced fumbles and 26 special teams tackles Worked especially hard to improve his pass coverage after some early-season struggles in 2006 and developed into a reliable all-around linebacker, capable of laying the big hit on a ballcarrier, receiver or quarterback Started 12 games in 2006 after seeing his rookie season cut short by the knee injury in his first NFL start (vs. Detroit, Dec. 11, 2005) As a rookie, was an immediate contributor to the Packers' special teams units, finishing second on the team with 22 coverage stops, one behind fellow rookie Marviel Underwood Was on pace for 27 coverage tackles, which would've matched Guy Prather's 1981 franchise record, but missed last three games due to knee injury As the season progressed, slowly saw his time increase at linebacker and showed enough to be thrust back into starting role upon completing his knee rehab prior to 2006 season With collegiate playing time at defensive end, is also a pass-rushing threat Is extremely upbeat and displays an exuberant passion for the game At BYU, played in 47 contests with 25 starts, and posted career totals of 193 tackles (99 solo), 20 sacks and 39 tackles for loss Started his last three seasons for the Cougars Garnered first-team All-Mountain West Conference honors as a sophomore, junior and senior Self-proclaimed as relentless, made a transition from defensive end to linebacker his senior year As a sophomore, led the Mountain West Conference with a career-high eight sacks; followed up with six sacks as a junior and senior Was the fourth player ever chosen by the Packers from Brigham Young, the first since Ty Detmer in 1992 Entered the NFL older than most rookies after spending two years on a Mormon mission in Uruguay prior to going to college 2006 Season Played in all 16 games, starting 12 Saw action on 560 plays from scrimmage, recording 76 tackles (51 solo), one sack, one interception, five passes defensed and a pair of forced fumbles Did not start four contests when the team opened in its nickel package Reclaimed the starting role he had earned Dec. 11, 2005, when a torn anterior cruciate ligament ended his rookie season After an unusually quick recovery and rehabilitation, returned to practice on a limited basis Aug. 8 Perhaps even more amazing, the high-energy player moved from practice spectator to NFL starter in four weeks, returning in Week 1 to the starting 'Sam' (strong-side) linebacker role he had relinquished upon his 2005 injury Started the season opener vs. Chicago (Sept. 10) and led the team with a career-high 11 tackles, including a personal-best nine solo stops Didn't start vs. New Orleans (Sept. 17), as the team opened with five defensive backs, but registered one pass defensed Made his first career interception, at Miami (Oct. 22), picking off a Joey Harrington pass floated over the middle and returning it 21 yards; later, pressured Harrington into making an incomplete pass, forcing a punt At Buffalo (Nov. 5), stuck RB Anthony Thomas for a 1-yard loss on third-and-1, forcing a punt In 23-17 win at Minnesota (Nov. 12), sacked Brad Johnson, forcing a fumble (recovered by Corey Williams) to set up the Packers' first touchdown; also made a third-down stop in the second quarter, ending the drive The sack gave him two of his three career sacks in the Meterodome, the other coming against Daunte Culpepper (Oct. 23, 2005) Against New England (Nov. 19), forced TE Ben Watson to fumble (recovered by New England); later pressured Tom Brady into throwing incomplete on third down, leading to a punt Against the New York Jets (Dec. 3), stopped RB Cedric Houston for minus-1 yard In the second quarter vs. Minnesota (Dec. 21), stopped QB Tarvaris Jackson 1 yard short of a first down on third-and-2 2005 Season Played in 12 games with one start, missing the final three contests with a knee injury Finished with 10 tackles (six solo), including two sacks Finished second on the club with 22 special teams tackles Making his first NFL start in a Sunday night win vs. Detroit (Dec. 11), replaced Na'il Diggs (knees) at 'Sam' linebacker and posted five tackles (two solo), plus one on special teams Saw his season end, though, after tearing the ACL in his left knee while covering a fourth-quarter kickoff Placed on injured reserve on Dec. 14 Earlier, had recorded two special teams tackles in his NFL debut, at Detroit (Sept. 11) In the third quarter, dropped dangerous PR Eddie Drummond for a 2-yard loss In 52-3 win vs. New Orleans (Oct. 9), played six snaps at 'Sam' linebacker, the first defensive action of his career Also made three special teams tackles At Minnesota (Oct. 23), posted one special teams stop and took down Culpepper in the first quarter for a loss of 14 yards, his first career sack and tackle from scrimmage Led the team with three special teams stops at Cincinnati (Oct. 30) and also played nine snaps on defense In 33-25 win at Atlanta (Nov. 13), made a career-best four coverage tackles and played 15 snaps at outside linebacker Twice dropped ominous KR Allen Rossum on kickoff returns, at the 15- and 19-yard lines At Philadelphia (Nov. 27), played five snaps on defense, posting one sack Took down RB Brian Westbrook (looking to pass) for a 3-yard loss in the fourth quarter Made two solo tackles and two on special teams at Chicago (Dec. 4), playing 23 snaps, mostly after LB Paris Lenon's finger injury sidelined him in the third quarter Was the Packers' second of two selections in the fourth round (125th overall) in the 2005 NFL Draft College A four-year letterman (2001-04) for the Cougars, started his last three seasons Played in 47 contests, with 25 starts Finished with 193 tackles (99 solo), 20 sacks and 39 tackles for loss Garnered first-team All-Mountain West Conference honors as a sophomore, junior and senior Moved to linebacker after playing his first three seasons at defensive end Started all 11 games as a senior, shifting before the season from defensive end to left outside linebacker Ranked third on the team with 79 tackles (35 solo), including six sacks and 12 stops for loss Added five quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble Selected as one of 58 candidates for the 2004 'Bronko Nagurski Award,' presented annually to the nation's best defensive player Started all 12 games at defensive end as a junior Ranked among MWC leaders with 55 tackles (34 solo) Finished seventh in the conference and led the team with six sacks Ranked ninth in the conference and second on the Cougars with 13 tackles for loss Contributed one fumble recovery and two passes defensed Tallied six-or-more tackles in four games during the season Selected to the preseason watch list of the Rotary Lombardi Award As a sophomore, saw action in all 12 games, starting two at defensive end Led the conference with a career-high eight sacks (for 52 yards) Recorded 49 tackles (25 solo), including 14 for loss Forced three fumbles and had three quarterback pressures Named both first-team All-MWC and a MWC All-Academic selection Earned the Cougars' top defensive lineman award Played in all 12 games as a freshman defensive end and contributed significantly on special teams Recorded 10 tackles (five solo) and one pass defensed Holds a B.S degree in business management Personal Given name Brady Paul Poppinga Born in Evanston, Wyo. Last name is pronounced puh-PING-ah Married the former Brooke Hubbard in 2002; the couple has a daughter, Jasmine, 3, and a son, Julius, 1 Was an all-state selection at both linebacker and tight end at Evanston (Wyo.) High School Named the Wyoming Athlete of the Year and 4-A 'Lineman of the Year' as a senior Lettered three years in football Selected to the Wyoming Super-25 team Led the Red Devils to a 4-A state title Also lettered three years in basketball and four years in track Finished second in the 1997 state discus competition Postponed college football career for two seasons while on a Mormon mission in Uruguay, South America Said it was the hardest thing he's ever done in his life because he had to leave his family and friends for so long, but also said it was the greatest experience of his life His passion and love for the game grew while on his mission and being away from football Learned Spanish while on the mission Comes from a very athletic family Father, Dennis, played tight end at BYU from 1968-1971 Brother, Casey, played tight end at Utah State and was on the practice squads of Seattle, Kansas City and Philadelphia in 2004 Brother, Kelly, is a linebacker at BYU and will be a senior in the fall Older sister, Tara, played volleyball at Utah State Holds a football camp, 'The Poppinga Football Experience,' in the offseason in Utah Also has served as an instructor in a couple of Green Bay-area youth football camps Signed autographs and interacted with fans at both the Green Bay Packers Fan Fest and the Green Bay Packers Draft Day Party Videotaped a 'Get Fueled' segment for the Packers' 'Fit Kids' program, a joint effort between the Green Bay Packers, CBS-5 WFRV and the Green Bay Area Public School District involving a year-long school program with a curriculum that focuses on the whole child and each month covers a theme based on either nutrition, physical fitness or social health Took part in the Packers' first annual All-Pro Dad event in December 2005, talking to other dads about the importance of being a good father and joining kids for football drills A former Eagle Scout himself, has spoken to groups of Boy Scouts and has taped public service announcements for the Boy Scouts of America Taught Sunday school to teenagers in Provo, Utah Did some motivational speaking at a school for troubled teens while in college Enjoys chess and outdoor activities, including river rafting, golf, tennis, hunting, fishing, water and snow skiing Also enjoys reading, tabbing The DaVinci Code as one of his favorite books Names Gladiator as his favorite movie; the movie inspired his young son's name, Julius Maximus Earned his Eagle Scout honor in 1995 Looked up to his dad growing up Residence: Green Bay, Wis. Player Stats Back To Top Tackles Sacks Interceptions Fumbles Year GP GS Tot Solo Asst Sk Yds No Yds Lg TD PD FF FR Yds 2005 Green Bay 12 1 10 6 4 2 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2006 Green Bay 16 12 76 51 25 1 6 1 21 21 0 5 2 0 0 NFL totals (two years) 28 13 86 57 29 3 23 1 21 21 0 5 2 0 0 Additional statistics: Career sacks - Daunte Culpepper, Brad Johnson, Brian Westbrook (RB). Special teams tackles - 22 in 2005, 4 in 2006; NFL total: 26. SINGLE-GAME CAREER HIGHS Tackles Total: 11, vs. Chi. (9/10/06) Solo: 9, vs. Chi. (9/10/06) Sacks: 1, three times (last: at Min., 11/12/06) NFL debut: at Detroit, 9/11/05 First NFL start: vs. Detroit, 12/11/05 First sack: at Minnesota, 10/23/05 (D.Culpepper) Interception: at Miami, 10/22/06 (J.Harrington) CAREER TRANSACTIONS 2005: Selected by Green Bay Packers as second of two fourth-round choices (125th overall) in '05 NFL Draft, April 24...Signed first contract, July 26...Placed on injured reserve (knee), Dec. 14. ELIAS Game By Game Packers Stats Game Date Opp Interceptions Sacks No Yds Avg TD Sep 11, 2005 @DET 0 0 0.0 0 0 Sep 18, 2005 CLE 0 0 0.0 0 0 Sep 25, 2005 TB 0 0 0.0 0 0 Oct 3, 2005 @CAR 0 0 0.0 0 0 Oct 9, 2005 NO 0 0 0.0 0 0 Oct 23, 2005 @MIN 0 0 0.0 0 1.0 Oct 30, 2005 @CIN 0 0 0.0 0 0 Nov 6, 2005 PIT 0 0 0.0 0 0 Nov 13, 2005 @ATL 0 0 0.0 0 0 Nov 21, 2005 MIN 0 0 0.0 0 0 Nov 27, 2005 @PHI 0 0 0.0 0 1.0 Dec 4, 2005 @CHI 0 0 0.0 0 0 Dec 11, 2005 DET 0 0 0.0 0 0 2005 Totals 0 0 0.0 0 2 Sep 10, 2006 CHI 0 0 0.0 0 0 Sep 17, 2006 NO 0 0 0.0 0 0 Sep 24, 2006 @DET 0 0 0.0 0 0 Oct 2, 2006 @PHI 0 0 0.0 0 0 Oct 8, 2006 STL 0 0 0.0 0 0 Oct 22, 2006 @MIA 1 21 21.0 0 0 Oct 29, 2006 ARI 0 0 0.0 0 0 Nov 5, 2006 @BUF 0 0 0.0 0 0 Nov 12, 2006 @MIN 0 0 0.0 0 1.0 Nov 19, 2006 NE 0 0 0.0 0 0 Nov 27, 2006 @SEA 0 0 0.0 0 0 Dec 3, 2006 NYJ 0 0 0.0 0 0 Dec 10, 2006 @SF 0 0 0.0 0 0 Dec 17, 2006 DET 0 0 0.0 0 0 Dec 21, 2006 MIN 0 0 0.0 0 0 Dec 31, 2006 @CHI 0 0 0.0 0 0 2006 Totals 1 21 21.0 0 1 Sep 9, 2007 PHI 0 0 0.0 0 0 Sep 16, 2007 @NYG 0 0 0.0 0 0 Sep 23, 2007 SD 0 0 0.0 0 0 Sep 30, 2007 @MIN 0 0 0.0 0 0 Oct 7, 2007 CHI 1 0 0.0 0 0 Oct 14, 2007 WAS 0 0 0.0 0 0 Oct 29, 2007 @DEN 0 0 0.0 0 0 Nov 4, 2007 @KC 0 0 0.0 0 0 Nov 11, 2007 MIN 0 0 0.0 0 0 Nov 18, 2007 CAR 0 0 0.0 0 0 Nov 22, 2007 @DET 0 0 0.0 0 0 Nov 29, 2007 @DAL 0 0 0.0 0 0 Dec 9, 2007 OAK 0 0 0.0 0 0 Dec 16, 2007 @STL 0 0 0.0 0 0 Dec 23, 2007 @CHI 0 0 0.0 0 0 Dec 30, 2007 DET 0 0 0.0 0 0 2007 Totals 1 0 0.0 0 0 Packers Totals 2 21 10.5 0 3 Statistics provided by Elias Sports Bureau