SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 247

WHEREAS, DeMeco Ryans, linebacker for the National Football League's Houston Texans, was named the 2006 Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year after receiving 72 percent of the votes cast for this prestigious award; and

WHEREAS, Houston's second-round draft pick in 2006, Mr. Ryans played college football at the University of Alabama, where he was named Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and was an Academic All-American; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Ryans finished his first National Football League season with a team-leading 156 tackles, including a league-leading 126 solo stops, and he demonstrated amazing durability by playing nearly every down of every game, including a run of 14 straight games without missing a play; moreover, his 156 tackles were the highest total for any rookie in the past two decades; and

WHEREAS, This defensive stalwart recorded 13 tackles in his National Football League debut and posted double-digit tackles in nine of his team's 16 games, leading the team or tying for the team lead in tackles 10 times; in his most impressive game of the season, Week 13 at Oakland, Mr. Ryans notched 15 tackles, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble, snagged an interception, defended three passes, recorded a quarterback hurry, and sacked the quarterback for an eight-yard loss; for that effort, he was named American Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week; and

WHEREAS, In addition to that honor, Mr. Ryans also earned the National Football League Defensive Rookie of the Month award for his outstanding performance in December, when he posted 57 tackles in five games and helped the Texans post a 3-2 record for that month; for the season, he tied for the lead among rookie inside linebackers with 3.5 sacks and finished second among rookie linebackers with one interception; and

WHEREAS, The achievements of this talented young football player are truly impressive; his seamless transition from the college ranks to the National Football League is a tribute to his exceptional physical ability, his knowledge and understanding of the game, and his dedication to excellence, and the future is indeed bright with promise for DeMeco Ryans; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 80th Legislature, hereby congratulate DeMeco Ryans on his selection as the 2006 Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year and extend to him best wishes for a long and successful career in the National Football League; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for Mr. Ryans as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Ellis

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 14, 2007.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate