Shante Carver

Early years

Carver attended Lincoln High School where he practiced basketball (center) and football (defensive end / tight end), receiving All-state honors as a senior in both sports. In 1989, the Stockton Record named him its Male Athlete of the year and he also received the California Grid-Hoops player of the year award.

He accepted a scholarship from Arizona State University, where at defensive end, he became one of the best pass rushers in the nation. During his sophomore year, he was dismissed from the school, for academic reasons, and he lost His mother to a terrible car crash as-well as his grandmother(natural causes) all in a couple of months. Carver overcame all the setbacks and personal loss and was later admitted back into Arizona State University as a student athlete.

Carver was a three-year starter, that recorded double-figure sacks in each of his collegiate seasons: 10 as a freshman, 11 as a sophomore, 10 as a junior and 10 as a senior. He had 20-or-more quarterback pressures and was named the team defensive MVP, in all but his freshman year.

He was a two-time All-American and All-Pac-10 (1992 and 1993) and a finalist for the Outland Trophy. He also walked on to the basketball team and earned a letter.

Carver had a dominant senior year in which the defensive unit was nicknamed "Shante's Inferno", leading his team in tackles (79) (from his defensive end position), tackles for loss (17), and sacks (10.0). He broke the school career record with 41 career sacks, that was eventually broken by Terrell Suggs.

In 2012, he was inducted into the Arizona State University Sports Hall of Fame.

Dallas Cowboys

Looking for a successor to replace Charles Haley and Tony Tolbert in the 1994 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys tried to trade up to acquire Willie McGinest. After being unable to make the transaction, they traded their first (#28-William Floyd) and second-round (#62-Tyronne Drakeford) selections to the San Francisco 49ers, in exchange for a first (#23) and a seventh round (#217-Rob Holmberg) draft choice, in order to move up and take Carver in the first round.

In his rookie season he only played in 7 games because of injuries. He also made news after suffering an automobile accident, abandoning his truck and reporting it as stolen.

In 1995, he did not have a good regular season, but while Charles Haley was injured, had a chance to start the last regular season game, 2 playoff games and also contributed as a backup in Super Bowl XXX, with a then career high 5 tackles. The Cowboys drafted Kavika Pittman in the 1996 NFL Draft, to have a replacement ready in case his lack of production continued.

In 1996, he was suspended six games for repeated violations of the league's anti-drug policy. In 1997, he finished the season with a team-leading six sacks and also had three tackles for loss. The team did not re-sign him at the end of the season, finishing his career with 26 starts in four seasons, 11.5 sacks and never forced a turnover or recovered a fumble.

B.C. Lions (CFL)

He signed with the B.C. Lions, but was released before the 2000 season started.

Memphis Maniax (XFL)

Carver joined the Memphis Maniax of the XFL for its lone season in 2001. After recording 32 tackles 4 sacks and 1 interception, he was recognized as one of the league's best defensive players and was named to the All-XFL team. He also is remembered for delivering a particularly spectacular sack on Orlando Rage quarterback Jeff Brohm.

Dallas Desperados (AFL)

After the XFL folded in 2002, Carver joined the Dallas Desperados who were owned by Jerry Jones, who also owned the Dallas Cowboys. He earned AFL All-Rookie honors after registering 16 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 2 interceptions. He played for the team three years, retiring at the end of the 2004 season.

Personal life

Carver spent time as a football assistant coach at Scottsdale Community College.

Carver coached the defensive line at Moon Valley high school in 2011