Early years

Maryland was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, where he played high school football at Whitney Young High School. He was not highly recruited and the only major college program to offer him a scholarship was the University of Miami.

In 1989 he was named third team All-American. As a senior in 1990, he registered 96 tackles and 10½ quarterback sacks for the Hurricanes. He was named All-American, College Football Lineman of the Year by the UPI and became the first Hurricane player ever to receive the Outland Trophy for the best lineman in college.

Maryland finished his college career with 279 tackles, 25 tackles for losses and 20.5 quarterback sacks, while helping his team win two national championships, four bowl games, a perfect home record and a 44-4 overall record.

Prior to his graduation from Miami, Russell was inducted into the Iron Arrow Honor Society, the highest honor bestowed by the university.

Maryland was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011 and to the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

He was the first overall pick in the 1991 NFL Draft, by the Dallas Cowboys, after the initial No. 1 prospect Raghib Ismail decided to sign with the Toronto Argonauts. After the New England Patriots failed to sign Ismail, the Cowboys attempted to do so by trading for the first overall pick, sending the Patriots Eugene Lockhart, Ron Francis, David Howard, a 1991 first round pick (#11 Pat Harlow) and a 1991 second round pick (#41 Jerome Henderson).

Maryland started as a rookie defensive tackle and from the beginning showed the relentless motor and effort that he would be known for. He was especially stout against the run and helped the team win three Super Bowls. In 1993 he was named to his only Pro Bowl.

Oakland Raiders

In 1996 he signed as a free agent with the Oakland Raiders and played for the team until the end of the 1999 season when he was waived.

Green Bay Packers

In 2000 he was signed as a free agent by the Green Bay Packers where he played only one year.

During his 10-year career he started 140-of-154 games, had 375 tackles, 24.5 sacks and forced nine fumbles.

NFL stats

Year	Team	Games	Combined Tackles	Tackles	Assisted Tackles	Sacks	Forced Fumbles	Fumble Recoveries
1991	DAL	16	0	0	0	4.5	0	0
1992	DAL	14	0	0	0	2.5	0	2
1993	DAL	16	43	32	11	2.5	0	2
1994	DAL	16	30	28	2	3.0	0	1
1995	DAL	13	31	25	6	2.0	1	0
1996	OAK	16	52	41	11	2.0	0	0
1997	OAK	16	79	55	24	4.5	1	0
1998	OAK	15	48	35	13	2.0	0	0
1999	OAK	16	51	33	18	1.5	1	1
2000	GB	16	37	18	19	0.0	0	0
Career		154	371	267	104	24.5	3	6

Championship Legacy

He played on two national championship teams in college and three Super Bowl championship teams in his NFL career.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]