Calvin Pace

American football player (born 1980)

Calvin Lamar Pace (born October 28, 1980) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round (18th overall) in the 2003 NFL draft. He played college football for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.

Pace attended Lithia Springs High School in Lithia Springs, Georgia from 1994 to 1998.

In 1999, Pace played in seven games, and ranked 27th on the team in tackles. For the season he recorded four tackles, two for a loss, two sacks and one pass deflected.

In 2000, Pace finished fifth on the team with 50 tackles (33 solo), including 12 tackles for a loss and nine sacks.

In 2001, Pace finished sixth on the team recording 62 tackles (36 solo), including 18 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. He recorded one pass deflected and 11 quarterback hurries.

In 2002, Pace finished third on the team with 73 tackles (43 solo), including 22 tackles for a loss and eight sacks. He recorded six passes deflected and four quarterback hurries. While at Wake Forest, Pace was a two time Second team All ACC selection and finished his college career with 189 tackles, 29 sacks, five forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.

Pace was selected by Arizona Cardinals in the first round (18th overall) in the 2003 NFL draft.

In 2003, as a rookie, Pace started all 16 games. He recorded a total of 32 tackles and one sack.

In 2004, he played in 14 games, recording 12 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

In 2005, Pace played in only five games with one start. His season was ended when he suffered a laceration of his arm during the Cardinals bye week. Before Pace was placed on injured reserve he recorded 11 tackles and one sack.

In 2006, Pace played in all 16 games, starting five of them. He recorded 29 tackles and one sack.

In 2007, Pace was switched to outside linebacker and started all 16 games. He led the team with 106 tackles. Pace also recorded a career high 6.5 sacks and one fumble. In his five seasons with the Cardinals, Pace played in 67 games with 38 starts recording 186 tackles, 14 sacks and 11 passes deflected. While with the Cardinals he also set career highs in tackles, sacks, interceptions, passes deflected and fumble recoveries in 2007 with 106 tackles, 6.5 sacks, six passes deflected, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one interception.

On March 3, 2008, Pace and the New York Jets came to terms on a six year, $42 million deal that includes $22 million in guaranteed money. He had turned down a previous offer with the Miami Dolphins prior to signing with the Jets. In his first year in New York, Pace compiled 80 tackles (including 63 solo) and 7 quarterback sacks.

Pace was suspended for the first four games of the 2009 season by the NFL after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. In the 12 games he played, Pace recorded 55 tackles, 8 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. The Jets finished 9 7 and made it to the AFC Championship Game before losing to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, falling one game short of the Super bowl.

In August 2010, Pace injured his foot during the preseason. After missing the first four games, Pace started the remainder of the season recording 51 tackles, 5.5 sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble helping the Jets finish 11 5 and advance to the AFC Championship Game for the second consecutive year before losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers by the final score of 24 19.

In 2011, Pace played all 16 games with 53 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 interception, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.

In 2012, Pace played all 16 games with 35 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.

Pace was released from the Jets on February 19, 2013. He was re signed by the team on April 16 to a one year contract. During the 2013 season, Pace played all 16 games with 37 tackles, 10 sacks, 3 passes defended, and 2 forced fumbles.

The Jets re signed Pace to a two year, $5 million contract on March 16, 2014. On September 13, 2014, Pace was fined $16,537 for a roughing the passer penalty during Week 1 against the Oakland Raiders.

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD 2003 ARI 16 16 32 25 7 1.0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2004 ARI 14 0 19 14 5 4.5 2 0 0 0 0 5 2 0 0 0 2005 ARI 5 1 12 8 4 1.0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2006 ARI 16 5 31 27 4 1.0 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 2007 ARI 16 16 99 80 19 6.5 11 1 14 0 14 6 1 2 4 0 2008 NYJ 16 16 80 62 18 7.0 11 0 0 0 0 3 5 4 50 1 2009 NYJ 12 12 55 45 10 8.0 13 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 2010 NYJ 12 11 51 42 9 5.5 5 1 1 0 1 3 1 0 0 0 2011 NYJ 16 16 72 53 19 4.5 7 1 8 0 8 3 3 1 0 0 2012 NYJ 16 16 55 35 20 3.0 7 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 2013 NYJ 16 16 53 37 16 10.0 10 0 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 2014 NYJ 16 16 40 27 13 5.0 8 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 2015 NYJ 16 12 22 15 7 3.0 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 187 153 621 470 151 60.0 87 3 23 0 14 31 21 11 54 1

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD 2009 NYJ 3 3 13 11 2 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2010 NYJ 3 1 10 10 0 3.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 6 4 23 21 2 3.0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0

Pace resides in Atlanta, Georgia.