Calvin Pace

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Pace attended Lithia Springs High School in Lithia Springs, Georgia, from 1994 to 1998. In his college career at Wake Forest, he was a two-time Second-team All-ACC selection and finished with 189 tackles, 29 sacks, five forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round (18th overall) in the 2003 NFL draft. In his five seasons with the Cardinals, he played in 67 games with 38 starts, recording 186 tackles, 14 sacks and 11 passes deflected. He signed a six-year, $42 million deal with the New York Jets on March 3, 2008. In his first year in New York, he compiled 80 tackles (including 63 solo) and 7 quarterback sacks. He was suspended for the first four games of the 2009 season for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. In the 12 games he played that season, he 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 the Indianapolis Colts. In 2010, after missing the first four games due to a foot injury, he started the remainder of the season recording 51 tackles, 5.5 sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble, helping the Jets reach the AFC Championship Game again before losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played all 16 games in 2011 (53 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 interception, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery), 2012 (35 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery), and 2013 (37 tackles, 10 sacks, 3 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles). He was released on February 19, 2013, and re-signed on April 16 to a one-year contract. He was re-signed to a two-year, $5 million contract on March 16, 2014. On September 13, 2014, he was fined $16,537 for a roughing the passer penalty.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Pace's Jets career is defined by resilience and specific statistical peaks amidst setbacks. In 2013, after being released on February 19, he was re-signed on April 16 to a one-year contract. That season became his most productive in terms of sacks with the team; playing all 16 games, he recorded 37 tackles and a career-high 10 sacks for New York, along with 3 passes defended and 2 forced fumbles. His final full year came in 2014 after the Jets re-signed him to a two-year, $5 million deal on March 16. Early in that season, on September 13, 2014, he drew attention for a roughing the passer penalty against the Oakland Raiders, resulting in a fine of $16,537. Throughout his time in New York, Pace consistently played all available games when healthy, including the full 16-game schedules in 2011, 2012, and 2013, providing stability as he accumulated tackles, sacks, and forced fumbles year after year.

Reader's Guide

Calvin Pace played linebacker for the New York Jets from 2008 to 2014. His best statistical season with the Jets was 2013, when he recorded 10 sacks. He helped the Jets reach the AFC Championship Game in 2009 and 2010. He was known for his pass-rushing ability and durability, playing all 16 games in four of his seven seasons with the team.

Did You Know?

• Pace was a two-time Second-team All-ACC selection at Wake Forest.
• He set career highs with the Cardinals in 2007: 106 tackles, 6.5 sacks, six passes deflected, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and one interception.
• In 2009, Pace was suspended for the first four games for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
• Pace was fined $16,537 in 2014 for a roughing the passer penalty.