On Saturday, April 11, 2020, the Indianapolis Colts signed former Pittsburgh Steeler fullback Roosevelt Nix to a one year deal.
Terms of the contract have yet to be released, but Colts fans are already jubilant that Marlon Mack will have a lead blocker this season.
Here are 3 things to know about Roosevelt Nix.
1. Never Played Fullback Before Entering NFL
Roosevelt Nix is 28 years old.
He played college football at Kent State University.
During his collegiate career, he was an accomplished defensive end.
With 65 tackles for a loss, he is tied for 4th for most tackles for a loss in NCAA history.
In 4 seasons at Kent State, he notched 182 tackles (102 of them solo tackles), 25 sacks, and 12 forced fumbles.
Despite a stellar NCAA career, at 5’11” and 248 pounds, Nix knew his size would prevent him from playing defensive end in the NFL.
That fact became painfully obvious when he was not invited to the NFL Combine.
Entering the NFL undrafted was the only possibility.
To improve his chances, he switched positions and became a fullback.
His plan worked because the Atlanta Falcons signed him in 2014.
Unfortunately, his tenure at Atlanta was cut short and in a public way.
He was waived as part of HBO’s Hard Knocks television show that followed the Atlanta Falcons through the 2014 preseason.
His next stop was the Arena Football League where he had a short three-month stint with the Cleveland Gladiators.
Unsure if he would ever play in the NFL, he spent time as a teaching assistant at his alma mater, Reynoldsburg High School (Ohio).
Finally the Steelers called, and life changed.
He was a Steeler from 2015-2019 and a teammate with fellow Reynoldsburg native, Le’Veon Bell.
His performance earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl during the 2017 season.
What he did for Le’Veon Bell and James Conner in Pittsburgh he can most certainly do to help Marlon Mack.
Look at the impact Roosevelt Nix makes on the running game. Now imagine Nix leading the way for Mack behind the #Colts left side of Castonzo and Nelson. https://t.co/RWdrOZHY6b
— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) April 11, 2020
Nix was signed to one-year deals until 2018 when the Steelers gave him a 4-year deal.
He spent most of 2019 injured but is recovered and ready for the 2020 season.
2. Notorious for 4th Down Play Not Converted
Even elite football players make mistakes.
Sadly for them, their mistakes are televised for the world to see.
Nix’s blooper reel play is not nearly as bad as Mark Sanchez’s butt fumble.
Nix prematurely celebrated what he thought was a 1st down-converted by him on a fake punt against the New Orleans Saints on December 23, 2018.
It turned out that he was nearly a yard short so he was briefly ridiculed for his exuberance.
He lived and learned, and his adrenaline only got the best of him in this instance.
Remember when Roosevelt Nix thought he got the first down 😂 #Steelers pic.twitter.com/14otK6rsFa
— Jukez (@holyjukez) April 12, 2020
3. Has an Athletic Pedigree
Both of Nix’s parents are accomplished athletes.
Lisa, his mother, played softball in college.
His namesake and father, the elder Roosevelt Nix, played defensive end in college and the NFL.
From 1992 through 1994, he played for the Bengals and Vikings.
The elder Nix also played arena league football.
It has been nearly a decade since the Colts had a true fullback.
With Nix in the mix, the play-calling possibilities are endless.
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