re: Russell Erxleben

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Theodore Anthony Gregory (born February 11, 1965) is a former professional American football defensive tackle who played one season for the New Orleans Saints in the National Football League. Gregory was drafted by the Denver Broncos following a sterling collegiate career at Syracuse. Gregory listed his height as 6'1".[1] However, a shocked Dan Reeves, who is also listed as 6'1"[2] commented, "I'm taller than he is!" upon meeting Gregory after the draft. By Reeves' estimate, Gregory was closer to 5'9".[3] Gregory had injured his knee in his last collegiate game, and the knee gave out during training camp. Following scathing criticism from the press for wasting a pick on damaged goods, the Broncos traded him to the Saints for Shawn Knight before the season.[4] He is now regarded as one of the biggest draft busts in Broncos' history.[5] After the Gregory incident the Broncos began meeting with potential draft picks prior to the draft, a practice they had not previously engaged in.[citation needed] Gregory blew out his knee in this third game with the Saints, and never played in the NFL again. After a series of failed business ventures drained his life savings, he took a job as a construction worker, only to have that end due to a ruptured disc in his back that temporarily rendered him a paraplegic.[4] Gregory placed 8th in Deadspin's "The 100 Worst NFL Players of All Time"

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