Jeff Merrow

Jeff Merrow

Date of birth	(1953-07-12)July 12, 1953
Place of birth	Akron, Ohio
Career information
Position(s)	Defensive end
US college	West Virginia
NFL draft	1975 / round: 11 / Pick 263
Career history
As player
1975–1983	Atlanta Falcons
Career stats
Playing stats at DatabaseFootball.com

Jeffrey Colin Merrow (born July 12, 1953 in Akron, Ohio) was a defensive lineman who played nine seasons in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons. Merrow played collegiately for the West Virginia Mountaineers. Merrow's son, Thor, is a current fullback and defensive lineman for the University of North Alabama.

Collegiate career

Jeff Merrow enrolled at West Virginia University in 1972 and in his freshman season Merrow recorded a lone interception. As a sophomore, in 1973, Merrow led head coach Bobby Bowden's defense with 141 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 6 sacks, and a fumble recovery. In his junior season, 1974, Merrow recorded 134 tackles, 7 for a loss, 3 sacks, and two fumble recoveries.

Professional career

Merrow was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the 1975 NFL Draft in the 11th round, 263rd overall. In his rookie season, 1975, Merrow played in and started 12 games. From 1976 to 1978, he played and started in 14 games on each season. In 1979, Merrow only played in three games on the year, due to injury cutting his season short. In 1980, Merrow started all 16 games on the year for the first time in his career. In 1982, Merrow only played in 8 games, starting seven. At age 30 in 1983, Merrow ended his professional career by playing in all 16 games, recording 3 sacks on the year.

Current

Merrow now lives in Buford, Georgia, where he owns a business that sells heavy-duty truck lifts.

Merrow's youngest son, Thor followed in his father's footsteps, accepting a scholarship offer to play at WVU in 2005. Thor is currently a back-up tight end at the University of North Alabama under head coach Terry Bowden.