Randy Gregory is best known as an American football player and as a defensive player for the Dallas Cowboys. The soccer player is notorious on and off the field for his frequent infractions, suspensions, and drug abuse. Before being drafted into the NFL, he played college football at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the state of Nebraska. But there is more to know about him.
Randy Gregory Biography
Randy Gregory was born on November 23, 1992, in Jacksonville, Florida. As a child, he attended Hamilton Southeastern High School in Indiana, where he played both soccer and basketball.
According to records, he made 17 sacks and 92 tackles as a junior. In his senior season, he was ranked as one of the top 15 players in the state of Indiana, followed by several scholarship offers for the soon-to-be Dallas Cowboys defensive player. Since he proved to be a true athlete, he also aroused interest in Division 1 basketball during his high school days.
After high school, Randy Gregory moved on to college at Arizona Western College (2011-2012). In his first year of college, he made 9 sacks and 82 tackles. Unfortunately, he broke his leg and missed the 2012 season.
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The athlete then applied to Purdue University but was not accepted because he did not meet the university’s educational standards. However, he was later admitted to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In his first year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he played 10 of 13 games in which he scored 10.5 sacks, 64 tackles, and an interception that returned to touchdown. This earned him the title of Defensive MVP for Nebraska.
Although he still earned praise and recognition as a college player, he decided to skip his senior year and season and enter the 2015 NFL Draft.
Randy Gregory Career
Randy Gregory was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the NFL Draft 2015 as a defensive end. Although he showed immense potential in the preseason, an ankle sprain occurred in the south and he had to be released from four games. In week 7 he returned to the field in the game against the New York Giants. However, Randy’s career has not been smooth ever since.
On February 19, 2016, Randy Gregory was suspended for the first four games of the season after the failure of the NFL drug policy. After a few months, the athlete failed another drug test, after which he went to a treatment facility for help. As a result, he was banned for another 10 games and removed from the team roster.
In November of the same year, it was reported that he failed another drug test and faced a one-year suspension in addition to the previous 14-game suspension he had faced. He was deemed unfit to return to the Cowboys until December 2019. The NFL not only banned Gregory from the games but also prohibited him from having contact with any of the cowboys’ teammates or coaches. This led to a seemingly bad end for the defender.
He then got a 9-5-job with Genesco Sports Enterprises while trying to balance his training and therapy, but he soon stopped and returned to his impulsive behavior. His lawyer, Daniel Moskowitz, then moved in with him to help the athlete overcome his addiction.
Since Gregory is the fighter he is, he was treated again, this time in California where marijuana is legal. There he learned to understand his triggers and counteract them to overcome his addiction. He also found a substitute in boxing and meditation. A few months after rehab, Randy Gregory finally got back on his feet but did not immediately apply for reinstatement into the NFL until he was sure he was ready.
His teammates helped put in a good word for his return, and on July 17, 2018, the NFL announced that Randy Gregory was reinstated conditionally after his June 21 appeal hearing.
Height, Weight & Body Statistics
The soccer player weighs 245 Ibs (111 kg) and his height is stated as 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in). As an athlete, Randy Gregory is in excellent physical condition. His impressive physique is maintained through frequent training and the training that is required of him and all other professional NFL players.
Other Facts About Randy Gregory
A large part of his private life is not known to the public, as he tries to keep his private life away from the curiosity of the media. However, here are five little-known facts about Randy Gregory.
1. He Is In A Long-Term Relationship
Randy and Nancy Rodriguez have been together since 2015. Long-term relationships are not common in the sports world, especially because athletes can easily get any girl they want. When such relationships develop, they should be celebrated.
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2. He Is A Father
Randy Gregory has a daughter who was born in fall 2016. Her mother is his girlfriend Nancy, who is one year older than the sports star.
3. Bipolar Disorder
When Randy was in college, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which he cited as the main reason for his drug addiction, as his problems were more emotional and mental in nature.
4. Tackling Mental Health Issues
The NFL has expressed a desire to launch a program to address the mental health of its players. The athlete, who initially opposed the idea, eventually praised the NFL’s efforts to take good measures to ensure the mental health of its players.
5. He Is Clean And Sober
Since his reintegration into the NFL, Randy Gregory has been sober and drug-free. The athlete was given a second chance, which very few people get, and he seems to be making the most of the opportunity.