http://www.profootballweekly.com/2009/07/18/durability-made-armstrong-special “It was very short and sweet,” recalled Armstrong. “He told me that there was a flight leaving Birmingham in an hour and a half for Chicago. He then said ‘Do you have a suit and tie?’ and I said ‘yes sir’ and he said, ‘Well, you better wear it.’ ” Of the 28 players selected in the first round of that draft, no one played more NFL games than Armstrong, not even Deion Sanders who turned 38 the month prior to his final year in Baltimore. “I was not aware of that,” said Armstrong. “I was not as talented as many of those guys, so determination and longevity were my biggest gifts athletically.” Like Deion, Armstrong managed to sustain his career much longer than his peers; his best season, in fact, came in 2000 when, at the age of 35, he recorded 16½ sacks for Miami to earn his only trip to the Pro Bowl. Armstrong’s 106 career sacks rank 18th all-time and are more than twice that of what either Grossman (43½) or New York’s pick, Jeff Lageman (47½), produced.
Amen brother What Trace Armstrong lacked in physical talent, he more than made up for with pure determination and an incredible head on his shoulders. The fact he was overlooked for player rep is nothing short of a sham, and a true shame.
Trace Armstrong was a heck of a player and he was a team first guy. Too bad we didn't have him for more years than we did. I always enjoyed watching him play.
